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What is postmodernism?
Firstly, postmodernism was a movement in architecture that rejected the modernist, avant garde, passion for the new. Modernism is here understood in art and architecture as the project of rejecting tradition in favour of going "where no man has gone before" or better: to create forms for no other purpose than novelty. Modernism was an exploration of possibilities and a perpetual search for uniqueness and its cognate--individuality. Modernism's valorization of the new was rejected by architectural postmodernism in the 50's and 60's for conservative reasons. They wanted to maintain elements of modern utility while returning to the reassuring classical forms of the past. The result of this was an ironic brick-a-brack or collage approach to construction that combines several traditional styles into one structure. As collage, meaning is found in combinations of already created patterns.
Following this, the modern romantic image of the lone creative artist was abandoned for the playful technician (perhaps computer hacker) who could retrieve and recombine creations from the past--data alone becomes necessary. This synthetic approach has been taken up, in a politically radical way, by the visual, musical,and literary arts where collage is used to startle viewers into reflection upon the meaning of reproduction. Here, pop-art reflects culture (American). Let me give you the example of Californian culture where the person--though ethnically European, African, Asian, or Hispanic--searches for authentic or "rooted" religious experience by dabbling in a variety of religious traditions. The foundation of authenticity has been overturned as the relativism of collage has set in. We see a pattern in the arts and everyday spiritual life away from universal standards into an atmosphere of multidimentionality and complexity, and most importantly--the dissolving of distinctions. In sum, we could simplistically outline this movement in historical terms:
1. premodernism: Original meaning is possessed by authority (for example, the Catholic Church). The individual is dominated by tradition.
2. modernism: The enlightenment-humanist rejection of tradition and authority in favour of reason and natural science. This is founded upon the assumption of the autonomous individual as the sole source of meaning and truth--the Cartesian cogito. Progress and novelty are valorized within a linear conception of history--a history of a "real" world that becomes increasingly real or objectified. One could view this as a Protestant mode of consciousness.
3. postmodernism: A rejection of the sovereign autonomous individual with an emphasis upon anarchic collective, anonymous experience. Collage, diversity, the mystically unrepresentable, Dionysian passion are the foci of attention. Most importantly we see the dissolution of distinctions, the merging of subject and object, self and other. This is a sarcastic playful parody of western modernity and the "John Wayne" individual and a radical, anarchist rejection of all attempts to define, reify or re-present the human subject.
Following this, the modern romantic image of the lone creative artist was abandoned for the playful technician (perhaps computer hacker) who could retrieve and recombine creations from the past--data alone becomes necessary. This synthetic approach has been taken up, in a politically radical way, by the visual, musical,and literary arts where collage is used to startle viewers into reflection upon the meaning of reproduction. Here, pop-art reflects culture (American). Let me give you the example of Californian culture where the person--though ethnically European, African, Asian, or Hispanic--searches for authentic or "rooted" religious experience by dabbling in a variety of religious traditions. The foundation of authenticity has been overturned as the relativism of collage has set in. We see a pattern in the arts and everyday spiritual life away from universal standards into an atmosphere of multidimentionality and complexity, and most importantly--the dissolving of distinctions. In sum, we could simplistically outline this movement in historical terms:
1. premodernism: Original meaning is possessed by authority (for example, the Catholic Church). The individual is dominated by tradition.
2. modernism: The enlightenment-humanist rejection of tradition and authority in favour of reason and natural science. This is founded upon the assumption of the autonomous individual as the sole source of meaning and truth--the Cartesian cogito. Progress and novelty are valorized within a linear conception of history--a history of a "real" world that becomes increasingly real or objectified. One could view this as a Protestant mode of consciousness.
3. postmodernism: A rejection of the sovereign autonomous individual with an emphasis upon anarchic collective, anonymous experience. Collage, diversity, the mystically unrepresentable, Dionysian passion are the foci of attention. Most importantly we see the dissolution of distinctions, the merging of subject and object, self and other. This is a sarcastic playful parody of western modernity and the "John Wayne" individual and a radical, anarchist rejection of all attempts to define, reify or re-present the human subject.
Alterity
Alterity is a philosophical principle of exchanging one's own perspective for that of the "other".
State of being on the periphery or fringes due to race, gender, or ethnicity
Dissimilarity from cultural norms
A lack of personal identity.
Aporia
An aporia is a philosophical puzzle, paradox, or impasse often used in conjunction with 'deconstruction'.
A state of wonder and awe due to contemplating the mysteries of life and the universe.
An internal contradiction in a statement or theory
Literal translation from Greek is 'without passage’
An aporia is a philosophical puzzle, paradox, or impasse often used in conjunction with 'deconstruction'.
A state of wonder and awe due to contemplating the mysteries of life and the universe.
An internal contradiction in a statement or theory
Literal translation from Greek is 'without passage’
Bricolage
Bricolage is a processes by which traditional objects or language are given a new, often subversive, meaning and context.
Art technique where works are constructed from various available materials ("found items" or mass-produced "junk").
A mashup or creation from a diverse range of existing items or ideas
Bricolage is a processes by which traditional objects or language are given a new, often subversive, meaning and context.
Art technique where works are constructed from various available materials ("found items" or mass-produced "junk").
A mashup or creation from a diverse range of existing items or ideas
Catharsis
A form of emotional cleansing, first described by Aristotle, which occurs simply from the passive act of viewing a tragedy.
The process of freeing oneself from damaging or repressed emotions.
A postmodern analogy is that the media's focus on violence is the method by which society cleanses its collective psyche.
A form of emotional cleansing, first described by Aristotle, which occurs simply from the passive act of viewing a tragedy.
The process of freeing oneself from damaging or repressed emotions.
A postmodern analogy is that the media's focus on violence is the method by which society cleanses its collective psyche.
Commodification
Term used in Marxist economics when economic value is assigned to something not traditionally considered a commodity.
Examples of commodification include: ideas, culture, identity, and even the human body.
Appropriating of cultural phenomenon for the physical creation of cheap mass marketed goods.
Term used in Marxist economics when economic value is assigned to something not traditionally considered a commodity.
Examples of commodification include: ideas, culture, identity, and even the human body.
Appropriating of cultural phenomenon for the physical creation of cheap mass marketed goods.
Constructivism
Term attributed to Jean Piaget, who described how knowledge is assimilated and internalized during the process of learning.
Postmods contend that the process of matching internal models to the real world is inherently colored by the bias of the observer.
Term attributed to Jean Piaget, who described how knowledge is assimilated and internalized during the process of learning.
Postmods contend that the process of matching internal models to the real world is inherently colored by the bias of the observer.
Cybernetics
Cybernetics is a process by which a biological organism enhances its abilities by the integration of technology.
So called "cyborgs" are a common feature of science fiction (Popular examples include: Robocop and the Borg).
In postmodernism, much philosophical weight is given to this merging (and interdependence) of man and technology.
Many consider there to be similar impact due to reliance on everyday items like glasses or hearing aids.
Cybernetics is a process by which a biological organism enhances its abilities by the integration of technology.
So called "cyborgs" are a common feature of science fiction (Popular examples include: Robocop and the Borg).
In postmodernism, much philosophical weight is given to this merging (and interdependence) of man and technology.
Many consider there to be similar impact due to reliance on everyday items like glasses or hearing aids.
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre based in the near-future and often set in post-industrial dystopias.
The focus of Cyberpunk has been described as "high tech and low life": technology run amok with gritty film noir motifs.
Its name is a synthesis of Cybernetics and Punk and often features body modification.
Plots often involve hackers, artificial intelligences, and mega corporations.
Popular examples include: Snow Crash and Neuromancer
Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre based in the near-future and often set in post-industrial dystopias.
The focus of Cyberpunk has been described as "high tech and low life": technology run amok with gritty film noir motifs.
Its name is a synthesis of Cybernetics and Punk and often features body modification.
Plots often involve hackers, artificial intelligences, and mega corporations.
Popular examples include: Snow Crash and Neuromancer
Cyberspace
A term coined by William Gibson in Neuromancer and Burning Chrome to describe an all-encompassing, virtual reality internet.
"A consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation... A graphic representation of data abstracted from banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable complexity. Lines of light ranged in the nonspace of the mind, clusters and constellations of data. Like city lights, receding..."
A similar term, Metaverse, was used by Neal Stephenson in Snow Crash
A term coined by William Gibson in Neuromancer and Burning Chrome to describe an all-encompassing, virtual reality internet.
"A consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation... A graphic representation of data abstracted from banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable complexity. Lines of light ranged in the nonspace of the mind, clusters and constellations of data. Like city lights, receding..."
A similar term, Metaverse, was used by Neal Stephenson in Snow Crash
Dadaism
Dadaism was a cultural movement which attempted to reject and destroy the prevailing standards in art through anti-art.
It was a reaction to the horrors of World War I, which its followers believed was due to the reason and logic of the modernists.
Dada strove to have no meaning and its works are often described as random or without organization.
Ironically, Dada became an influential movement in modern art (examples include Duchamp's "readymades" found objects)
Dadaism was a cultural movement which attempted to reject and destroy the prevailing standards in art through anti-art.
It was a reaction to the horrors of World War I, which its followers believed was due to the reason and logic of the modernists.
Dada strove to have no meaning and its works are often described as random or without organization.
Ironically, Dada became an influential movement in modern art (examples include Duchamp's "readymades" found objects)
Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a term coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida for a process of critiquing literature and language.
It analyzes the built in bias of language and questions its ability to represent reality.
Critics see deconstruction as oversimplified and "sloppy" intellectual approach to attacking modernism.
Deconstruction is a term coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida for a process of critiquing literature and language.
It analyzes the built in bias of language and questions its ability to represent reality.
Critics see deconstruction as oversimplified and "sloppy" intellectual approach to attacking modernism.
Dystopia
Dystopias are societies usually characterized by societal decay and/or oppressive governments.
Relevant authors include Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Kurt Vonnegut.
Dystopias are societies usually characterized by societal decay and/or oppressive governments.
Relevant authors include Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Kurt Vonnegut.
Flattening of Affect
Flattening of affect is a scientific term describing a person's detachment and lack of emotional reactivity.
Used in the postmodern literature to describe technology's dehumanizing impact.
A key example is the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey
where the main characters lose their humanity whereas the computer HAL gains "his".
Flattening of affect is a scientific term describing a person's detachment and lack of emotional reactivity.
Used in the postmodern literature to describe technology's dehumanizing impact.
A key example is the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey
where the main characters lose their humanity whereas the computer HAL gains "his".
Hyperreality
Hyperreality is a symptom of postmodern culture where a person loses their ability to distinguish reality from fantasy.
The hyperreal world is often thought of as an idealized enhancement of reality, much preferable to the real life equivalent.
Present day examples could include reality television, pornography, or multi-player online games.
Hyperreality is a symptom of postmodern culture where a person loses their ability to distinguish reality from fantasy.
The hyperreal world is often thought of as an idealized enhancement of reality, much preferable to the real life equivalent.
Present day examples could include reality television, pornography, or multi-player online games.
Kitsch
Kitsch was originally a German term used to categorize art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style.
Art (often commercially mass-produced) that is done in bad taste or tries to be overly campy or sentimental.
From Baudrillard: "one of that great army of 'trashy' objects, made of plaster of Paris or some such imitation material".
Kitsch was originally a German term used to categorize art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style.
Art (often commercially mass-produced) that is done in bad taste or tries to be overly campy or sentimental.
From Baudrillard: "one of that great army of 'trashy' objects, made of plaster of Paris or some such imitation material".
Modernism
Mordenism is associated with the period of the mid 20th century.
It is associated with constant change in the pursuit of progress, achievable through rationality and logic.
In contrast, Postmodernism takes a less optimistic view where constant change becomes the status quo and progress obsolete.
Mordenism is associated with the period of the mid 20th century.
It is associated with constant change in the pursuit of progress, achievable through rationality and logic.
In contrast, Postmodernism takes a less optimistic view where constant change becomes the status quo and progress obsolete.
Panopticon
Panopticon is derived from the Greek opticon (see) and pan (all).
A type of prison designed to allow the guards to observe all prisoners without their knowledge.
The goal is to convey a feeling of "invisible omniscience" over the minds of the prisoners.
The panopticon is a symbol in many dystopian novels, most notably George Orwell's 1984
Panopticon is derived from the Greek opticon (see) and pan (all).
A type of prison designed to allow the guards to observe all prisoners without their knowledge.
The goal is to convey a feeling of "invisible omniscience" over the minds of the prisoners.
The panopticon is a symbol in many dystopian novels, most notably George Orwell's 1984
Pastiche
Pastiche is a tongue-in-cheek imitation or tribute used in literature, art, music, movies, etc.
Performed with respect to, or in homage to, other works (as opposed to parody which is done in ridicule or sarcasm).
A popular example is the cartoon The Simpsons, known for its pop culture references and recycled plots.
Pastiche is a tongue-in-cheek imitation or tribute used in literature, art, music, movies, etc.
Performed with respect to, or in homage to, other works (as opposed to parody which is done in ridicule or sarcasm).
A popular example is the cartoon The Simpsons, known for its pop culture references and recycled plots.
Punctuated Equilibrium
A theory in evolutionary biology by which otherwise slow evolutionary change happens during sporadic periods of great change.
Postmodernism analogy of technological or cultural change, often used in conjunction with "tipping point" or "singularity".
A theory in evolutionary biology by which otherwise slow evolutionary change happens during sporadic periods of great change.
Postmodernism analogy of technological or cultural change, often used in conjunction with "tipping point" or "singularity".
Simulacra
A simulacra is a copy of a copy, so far removed from its original, that it can stand on its own and even replace the original.
Term defined by Jean Baudrillard in "The Precession of Simulacra" from Simulacra and Simulation
"It is the generation by models of a real without origin or reality: a hyperreal.... substituting the signs of the real for the real".
Examples included Disneyland, psychosomatic illness, and the Watergate scandal.
Another example is the cartoon Betty Boop, who has now become an icon for the long forgotten actresses she was based on.
A simulacra is a copy of a copy, so far removed from its original, that it can stand on its own and even replace the original.
Term defined by Jean Baudrillard in "The Precession of Simulacra" from Simulacra and Simulation
"It is the generation by models of a real without origin or reality: a hyperreal.... substituting the signs of the real for the real".
Examples included Disneyland, psychosomatic illness, and the Watergate scandal.
Another example is the cartoon Betty Boop, who has now become an icon for the long forgotten actresses she was based on.
Semiotics
Semiotics is the study of signs, symbols, and how meaning is constructed and understood.
Linguist Ferdinand de Saussure proposed the deferentiation between the spoken word (signifier) and mental concept (signified).
Semiotics is the study of signs, symbols, and how meaning is constructed and understood.
Linguist Ferdinand de Saussure proposed the deferentiation between the spoken word (signifier) and mental concept (signified).
Steampunk
Steampunk is an off-shoot of cyberpunk set in the steam-powered Victorian era.
A type of speculative fiction where fictional and real technologies occur at an earlier date.
Steampunk is an off-shoot of cyberpunk set in the steam-powered Victorian era.
A type of speculative fiction where fictional and real technologies occur at an earlier date.
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality is a simulation technology providing an immersive computer-generated environment.
The environment may be real (medical applications) or imagined (the Matrix).
Virtual Reality is a simulation technology providing an immersive computer-generated environment.
The environment may be real (medical applications) or imagined (the Matrix).
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