Postmodernism

Tonight has so far been absorbed by the Terry Barrett reading, "Approaches to Postmodern Artmaking."  The text is rich with definitions of various Postmodern Techniques, as well as accurate descriptions of the Postmodern practices and artist examples.  I am going to highlight a few that I find particularly interesting here, and provide some links to view artworks of some of the featured artists.

First though, I want to briefly outline the main difference between Modernists and Postmodernists, as written by Terry Barret.  To summarize, the Modernist thinker values individuality, considered art to be of the highest forms of expression, and puts a great deal of emphasis on originality.  Postmodernist thinkers argue that there is no longer such a thing as originality, as everything to be done has already been done.  An intertesting way to think about art...the challenge then, of course, is innovation, and giving new meaning to already existing subject matter.  While these movements are considered by many to be polar opposite, they do share some characteristics of making, as well as function simultaneously in our culture today.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
I have always loved this pair and their ever expanisve style of engulfing landscapes and transforming the outdoors.  They defy the museum boundaries as well as work independtly from establishment all together by raising their own funds.  Their piece The Gates, in Central Park NYC, in 2005, totaled over $21 million in self-raised funds...amazing.

Here is the link to their website.


Jeff Koons
Called a Neo-Pop artist as well as Postmodern, Koons embodies the "kitsch" quality that embibes much Postmodern art, beginning with Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement in the 1950s.  The Modernists referred to kitsch as being "low art," cheap and knick-knacky and without any artistic value.  What better subject matter for the Postmodernists then?  Kids especially will be very engaged with Koons, his sculptures are recognizable forms and playfully child-like.

His website.


Jean-Michael Basquiat
Not my favorite artist ever, but a good example of hybrid postmodern art and a great way to inspire artworks based in a cultural awareness as well as introspective study.

Website.


That's all for now, goodnight!