Postmodernism

The Lecture;

Postmodernism-term applied to a wide range of cultural analysis and production since the early 1970's
Modernism is roughly from 1860-1960
Postmodernism is 1960-today

Modernism
-Initially brought out of optimism and technologies to improve peoples lives
-Ends up doctrinaire, almost blind obedience to rules, all above
Postmodernism
-Reaction to the rules
-Starts as a critique of international style
-Only rule is that there are no rules
-Celebrates what might otherwise be termed kitsch

If modernism equates with;
-Simplified aethetic
-Utopian ideals
-Truth to materials
-Form follows function
Postmodernism involves;
-Complexity
-Chaos
-Bricolage
-Parody, pastiche, irony

Postmodernism
Postmodernism has an attitude of questioning conventions
Postmodernism aesthetic = multipicity of styles and appoaches
Theme of 'double coding' borrowing or 'quoting' from a number of historical styles
Knowing juxtapositions, or 'postmodernism irony'
Questioning and limitations
Space for marginalized discourse;
-women, sexual diversity and multiculturalism

"I like elements which are hybrid rather than pure"

Las Vegas - ultimate postmodernism city - done in a tacky way - very kitsch

David Carson, Ray Gun, double page spread
-Functionalism - legibility
-Look and lifestyle - rather than something you would actually read
-Don't mistake legibility for communication
Barbara Kruger, I shop therefore I am, 1987
-Median of Graphic Design transferring to fine art

Summary;
-Postmodernism attitude of question conventions (especially modernism)
-Postmodernism aesthetic = multipicity of styles and approaches
-Shift in thought and theory

The Seminar;