week 4

21/10/2011 Modernism/Postmodernism.

So far what I have discovered is that the notion of modernism spanned various modes of cultural production (in art, music, architecture, literature, etc.) that animated western society at the end of the 19th century, (some would argue that the same ideas began simultaneously in other parts of the world and that this is a euro-centric approach – i.e. taking the west as the point of reference and suggesting that the west is more advanced than the rest of the world). It started around the time of the First World War and it ended in the 1950’s during a transition period after which the post-modern era began.

Even though I am still uncertain about some areas of modernism, to me, it is a period of time in witch realization and evaluation of the evolution of grand narratives happened, including cultural practices, traditions, politics, religions, etc. The movement focused on the importance of design in improving everyday life, for example in architecture, and to make cultural production more reflective of real life. Some argue that it has become the means through which value and worldview of the west have been imposed around the world. Some of the elements of Modernism such as a continuing belief in reason and progress have been challenged by many different events. An example we discussed in class related to the Vietnam War and how its impact created doubt among some about the value of democracy and led them to consider alternative methods of governance. Many were disappointed and felt betrayed with the declined of the grand narrative and the security that they provided.

Around the 1960’s Postmodernism would have evolved and moved away from modernism. Different but more importantly new ideas and view would come out and would corrupt these old forms that modernism used to reflect accurately modern experiences. As Fredric Jameson describes postmodernism as the "dominant cultural logic of late capitalism." "Late capitalism" refers to the phase of capitalism after World War II.

In art for example the picture below  

 recycled Dali’s painting  (older style of art) into a new representation. mixing the genres is characteristic of postmodernism (in this example animation and fine art). Old things are not as affective today and people do not relate to them anymore, so there is no point, it is necessary to do something different to get the public’s attention, to capture their interest and imagination. Also, life isn’t so neat and tidy and straightforward, to accurately represent our experiences these days you have to use techniques that show how people feel – e.g. people now are more alienated from their communities with the rise of the metropolis.

 The fact that I am trying to understand these terms in an accurate way and identify them, shows the influence of modernism. Personally today’s subject in the lecture, after the outcome of my day, had given me a lot to think about. I believe that we put too much emphasis on theorising artistic practices and movements. I would prefer not to look at it in such a studied manner and appreciate these artistic ways of expressing life forms and feeling as they come.

To Post-modern? Or not to Post-modern?

That is my question!

Slan!

In memory of Patrick Lynch 1984-2011 R.I.P.