“
What is Post Modernism?”
Post
Modernism is art movement that has not happened yet. Just in this statement
alone raises the argument of what is Post Modernism. Before argument can be
settled of what are Post Modernism and what it stand for, standards of what
Modernism is must be address first. Between the timeline of 1850 to 1950
Modernism was felt but not fully realized, it was more Pre or Early Modernistic
periods. It was this that gave birth too, the Modernism concept. It is not
these high Fine Art Society groups, such as art critic, art dealers, art
historian; which illustrates that Post Modernism started around
1968-present. By removing the high
prestige of double talk, that Fine Art Society declares is right. One can see
the conceptual idea of Modernism coming in to play, with works by European
Impressionists such as Claude Monet as early as 1870s, even the Post
Impressionist like Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, and Wassily
Kandinsky. Artist ran away from traditional ideas of making realistic
representations of their subjects, more towards the stylistic use of bold
colors and expressive brushwork, Artist where set free to explore their feeling
on canvas unlike in past, artists let them selves see their subject feelings
and the own feelings come out in the work to almost have a narrative of emotion
of their subjects (Barbour 16-17).
Is
Post Modernism just another art movement, or is it something more personal? The
majority of art students have an “ I don’t care approach” towards the meaning
of Post Modernism. The reasoning behind this belief is that; artists make the
artwork, not the over educated pencil pusher that defines the art world. The
high Fine Art Society is a world on to it self. Even with this word of Post
Modernism they find them selves arguing over the meaning, and when the
realization of Post Modernism come in to play as an art movement. A few artists
and scholar’s of the art world believe that Post Modernism has not arrived yet.
Fine Art Society should not even be using this term to describe anything that
defines art. To go from Neo-classicalism, and that of Romanticism to Modernism
was too big of leap. The high
Society of Fine Art presents that Modernism starts around 1850. Which is
totally false, the feeling more around the 1950s And 60s, when Abstract art and
Pop art was coming into the spotlight. With this, time frame one can find the
true meaning of the word Modernism as an art period (Butcher 334-335). Scott Barbour
editor of “American Modernism”
quotes a writer, and poet Alan Shucard, along with his colleagues, about
Impressionists paintings. Barbour goes on to explain that Shucard conveys: “the
previously static and orthodox landscape is shattered into a fluid array of
dots, colors and vigorous brush strokes that create a sense of the transitory
and shifting environment of the modern world” (qtd.16). This word of Modernism
transcends all boundaries including that that of literature and to where even
writer are putting in their two cents. In early or pre – Modernism, two
exhibits are often coined as key moments in Modernism array of historic facts.
The first was in Paris around 1905 at the Autumn Salon. The show featured works
from Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, and Vincent Van Gogh; also Henri Matisse
headed the show. The show was coined
“Les Fauves” from an art critic visiting the show. The meaning behind
les fauves is that of wild beasts (16).
The
second exhibit was a show in New York 1913; this show was more significant, for
one it was coined the Armory show, for it was in old building that once was the
Sixty-ninth Regiment armory. This show also brought out the biggest and
brightest of Europe to American soil. Show had a significant liberation and
relief from tradition, conventional, and representational art. Barbour states
that the Amory show had a most profound effect on all artists, be it a painter,
sculptor, or poet. Poet William Carlos Williams, who was seen the Armory show,
had this to say; after seeing the work of Duchamp’s Nude Descending the
stairs: “I laugh out loud when I first saw it, happily, with relief”
(17). This exhibit artist of any medium where set free to explore new avenues
of thinking, in return set the ground work for the characteristic of Modernism.
Following the Armory show exhibit in 1913, a kind of revolt happened towards
the prevailing styles, which one can see Modernism with its explosive rage
towards high Society of Fine Art traditions. Its best illustrated by Irving
Howe a well known literary critic and author of “ the Characteristics of
Modernism” which is in fact chapter one of Barbour’s book “ American Modernism”
articulates that, “ but modernism does not establish a prevalent style of its
own; or if it does, it denies itself, there by ceasing to be modern”(29). Which
helps point out Post Modernism in the way of timeline, if Modernism is having a
hard time to finding it self, an argument can be made that, one can not find
himself in a Post Modernism time period. If they cannot even define Modernism,
with this information Post Modernism is just idea.
Lets explain further by moving on
towards Late Modernism, which over laps Modernism, as early as 1923, when Mark
Rothko comes to New York. Rothko’s style transformed slowly over the next 20
years. Rothko been noted for start the groundwork for what became Abstract
Expressionism. He has been quoted
saying: “obstacles between the painter and the idea and between the idea and
the observer” (Fitzpatrick 19). By the 1947 Rothko style had become completely
Abstract about the same time of Rothko there were artists making their mark as
well one of them is an artist named
Willem De Kooning (1904-97). De Kooning bold, abstract black
and white painting drew great reviews from critics; DE Kooning went on to paint
women in abstract way. During the time of Rothko and De Kooning emerged another
artist that made Abstract expressionism an international movement his name was
Jackson Pollock. He died in 1956 (Fitzpatrick 19). But his name over shadows that
of Rothko or De Kooning. Abstract expressionism was art movement that give
birth to many styles of artic expression. The best way to illustrate this is by
have a chronological outline of Modernism.
|
For
this is also, the best way to show why Post Modernism is so hard to define. It
has not happed yet or is just starting to with advent of the twentieth first
century. The evolution in the world of art is forever moving in multiple
directions, giving birth to contemporarism, and that of digitalism. The author
of “ Art Fundamentals” Phillip A. Butcher admits that “ throughout history new
generations of artist become dissatisfied with the route taken by their
predecessors and therefore, struck out in new directions”(39) with this
statement one can see why we find ourselves in a contemporary conceptualism
though of being. Why do artist and critic find it a must to define Post
Modernism? The reasoning being
that, artist and critic feel the presents of all four Modernistic periods. Even
though Contemporarism is in the forefront of this postmodern age. Reminds me of
abstract, in a book called Art 21(art in the twenty- first century) by Marybeth Sollins editor: “ contemporary art
speaks directly to the important questions of our time, as well as to the
changing landscape of American identity” (1).
With
this statement one can conclude that contemporarism and that of Post Modernism
are inter change able terms but. They should not be thought of in this way.
Same way as if we where looking at modernity vs. modernism. Let me explain
further by pulling some words from Dr Mary Klages and her website page on Post
Modernism: “What's the difference? ‘Modernism’ generally refers to the broad
aesthetic movements of the twentieth century; ‘modernity’ refers to a set of
philosophical, political, and ethical ideas, which provide the basis for the
aesthetic aspect of modernism” (Klages). Lost! Ok, let me put it, this way; “What's the difference? ‘[Post]
Modernism’ generally refers to the broad aesthetic movements of the twentieth
[first] century; ‘[contemporarism]’ refers to a set of philosophical,
political, and ethical ideas which provide the basis for the aesthetic aspect
of [the modern age.] “(Klages). Dr Klages goes on to say: “Postmodernism is a
complicated term, or set of ideas, one that has only emerged as an area of
academic study since the mid-1980s. Postmodernism is hard to define, because it
is a concept that appears in a wide variety of disciplines or areas of study,
including art, architecture, music, film, literature, sociology,
communications, fashion, and technology. It's hard to locate it temporally or
historically, because it's not clear exactly when postmodernism begins”
(Klages).
Post
Modernism as an aesthetic movement that will always be changing and forever
forbidding man to be able to label it.
Artist Jon Mattox asserts, “Ask 5 people what post-modernism means and
you'll likely get five different reactions or none at all. It's one of those
elusive academic terms applied to many different fields of study. Everyone
appears to understand what it means individually,
but few agree collectively.” (Mattox). Dr Klages acknowledges that: “Postmodernism,
like modernism, follows most of these same ideas, rejecting boundaries between
high and low forms of art, rejecting rigid genre distinctions, emphasizing
pastiche, parody, bricolage, irony, and playfulness. Postmodern art (and
thought) favors reflexivity and self-consciousness, fragmentation and
discontinuity (especially in narrative structures), subject”(Klages). By the summery from Mattox is
interesting to say the least; “Lastly, there has been further debates on
whether this period after modernism should be considered ‘Late Modernism’ with
its commitment to the 'tradition of the new', its integrity of invention &
usage or ‘Post Modernism’ with its complex relation to modernism and art
history, its 'pluralism', it's ongoing redefining of itself etc.” (Mattox).
With this statement from Mattox one can be open minded to what Butcher said on
Post modernism: “Certain aspects of American culture unconnected directly to
the arts affected the rise of Post modernist art. The growing desire to ‘clean the slate and start over again’
in the arts has been discernable from about the 1960s but was accompanied by
the feeling that society seems to have become exhausted and bled of new ideas
and/ or that society appears unable to solve its own problems” (Butcher 319)
From
the start of this paper, the argument that Post Modernism is not here yet as an
art movement or period. Answered a few ideas of what art is, and that it is so
open to new ideas. But still have not answered what Post Modernism is as an art
movement. Reasoning behind this is very simple; you cannot define an idea of
thought that gives birth towards the next artistic movement. By put boundaries
on Post Modernism and define its meaning then artists have lost the very thing
Fine Art Society are trying to define. If Society groups ever do define Post
Modernism that would be like telling all the artists that there’s will be no
more; to define Post Modernism is to say; artists are finished with art, and
they is nothing more to say. Artists will never give in too the state of mind
that the show over. But that’s what Fine Art Societies groups are doing, if
these Society groups try to define Post Modernism and to set boundaries on this
movement, with out the artists consent or voice; the show is over. So artists
make your voice heard, with the power of your work, to tell the Fine Art
Societies groups that Post Modernism is not here and won’t be for very long
time. Because Artist still have a lot more to say.
Thesis
Post
Modernism is an art movement that has not happened yet. Just in this statement
alone raises the argument of what is post modernism; numbingly what does it
mean. Before we can say what Post Modernism stands for, we must set the
standards of what is Modernism.
Annotated
Bibliography
Answers, Corporation.
"Dictionary". Answer.com. 25 Feb.2007 <http://www.answer.com/directory>words>
dictionary/postmodernism/>.
This
webpage offers 8 different definitions on the meaning of Post Modernism. Useful
by in the way, of
having multiple sources of its meaning, and thus likely to have holes in my
argument.
Barbour, Scott, and Howe Irving. American
Modernism. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc, 2000.28-36.
Modernists
sought to overturn the literary and artistic styles and cultural beliefs. Also,
outline
the beginnings of American modernism and how its shape the art world. very good
to make my argument.
Burke, Barry. "Post Modernism
and Post Modernity." Infed (the informal education homepage). 25 Feb.2007
<http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-postmd.htm/>.
Focusing
on defining Post Modernism and asking the question of what is Post Modernism.
Realizing
that .org site aren’t always reliable.
Butcher,
Phillip A. Art Fundamentals. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc., 2002.
(319), 334-335.
Art
Fundamentals with its Chronological outline of western art and a brief
reverence to post Modernism
and who coined this term. Will be a great help with me outline my time in my arugment.
H.H. Arnason, Peter Kalb. History
Of Modern Art. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc,
2003.
Given
the History of American Modernism, from how it come to be and how it shape the
art world
we now to day. This book has a good base source of what Modernism is was and
could be.
Klages, Dr. Mary. "Post
Modernism.” University Of Colorado. 25 Feb.2007 <http://www.colorado.edu/english/courses/ENGL2012kages/>.
This
site exploring the meaning behind Post Modernism, from when and where it was
coined. On
towards future meaning of this concept.
Fitzpatrick, Anne. Late
Modernism. Mankato, Minnesota: Creative Education, 1978,2006. (19-20)
Increment
of artist from the time period of reference towards my argument that gives
incite towards my meaning.
Fred S. Kleiner, Christine J.
Mamiya. Gardner's Art through the Ages. Belmont, CA: Wadswoth/Thomson
Learning, 2005. (853-901), 1031-1059.
I
will focus on two chapters in this book they are 29 and 34. Chapter 29 the rise
of Modernism and
chapter 34 from Modernism to Post Modernism And Beyond.
Mattox, John. "Post Modernism
or Post- Post Modern". Bright Orange Studio. 25 Feb.2007 <http://www.jonmattox.com>.
This
is an overview of what Post Modernism is with a list of characteristics of Post
Modernism.
Owen, Charlyce Jones. Understanding
Art. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc, 1995. (2-30), 372-468
This
book will compare and contrast the meaning, purposes, and styles of what art
are. From modern
to contemporary art
Sollins, Marybeth. Art: 21.
New York, New York: Harry N. Adams, 2003.
Art21
is a discussion of contemporary artist and their works, how they come to be and
how the
feel towards the market today.
Wiedemmann, Ed.julius. Illustration
Now. Köln, Taschen, 2005.
Illustration
Now is a book composed of 150 artists (illustrators) who practice in all
artistic movements but for
commercial use.
Work
citied
Barbour, Scott. American
Modernism. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc, 2000 (28-36).
Barbour, Scott. A History and
Overview of American Modernism. The Influence of the Visual Arts. Ed.
Barbour. American Modernism. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press,
Inc, 2000 (16 - 17).
Butcher,
Phillip A. Art Fundamentals. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc., 2002. (319),
334-335.
Fitzpatrick, Anne. Late
Modernism. Mankato, Minnesota: Creative Education, 1978,2006. (19-20).
Howe, Irving. “Defining American
Modernism”. American Modernism. Ed. Scott Barbour. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press,
Inc, 2000.
(16-17).
Klages, Dr. Mary. "Post
Modernism". University Of Colorado. 25 Feb.2007 <http://www.colorado.edu/english/courses/ENGL2012kages/>.
Mattox, John. "Post Modernism
or Post- Post Modern". Bright Orange Studio. 25 Feb.2007 <http://www.jonmattox.com>.
Sollins, Marybeth. Art: 21.
New York, New York: Harry N. Adams, 2003 (1).
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