Postmodernism

4) Postmodernism as a movement took hold in the 1970’s. It began as a backlash from Modernist subjectivity and detachment from societal hardship, politics and the general populace as the realities of the Vietnam War became apparent. A great example of Modernism’s dissociation of the people would be Le Corbusier’s Unite d’Habitation, 1946-52. Unite was to be a new, sparse approach to mass-housing, however within months of opening, it’s avant-garde design gave way to an ill-designed slum.

With the rise of Civil Rights Activism and second-wave Feminism at it’s peak, Postmodernism embraced the politics of the era and is one of the pinnacle art movements of action and protest. Postmodernism also rejected Modernism’s assertion of the artist as a singular rather than a collective power/movement. In concerns of material and technique, Postmodernist thoroughly embraced Duchamp’s readymade to connect with everyday life. Feminists reclaimed their bodies from there solitary purpose as muse in traditional art.

Both artist’s and critics would commonly agree that Postmodernism has ended. However the grey area persists on when and how it did, and if in fact we have moved onto or passed the Post-Postmodern era.

Barbara Kruger, 1989

Orlan, pre-operation, The Reincarnation of Saint Orlan, 2000-2003

Ana Mendieta, Silueta Works in Mexico, 1973-1978

Postmodern Critics:

Aldo Rossi

Helene Cixous

Dave Hickey

Michael Foucault

Griselda Pollock

Umberto Ecco

Howard Risatti

Jorge Luis Borges

Postmodern Artists:

Barbara Kruger

Yoko Ono

Tom Friedman

Phillip Taaffe

Orlan

Ana Mendieta

Carolee Schneemann

Yves Klein

Michael Graves

Charles Moore