Postmodernism (One Tiny Slice)

Postmodernismone tiny slice

At the end of 1945 much of the world was in ruins. Among the major combatants in World War II, the United States alone came out of the struggle stronger than before and with its economy and industrial infrastructure intact. The United States was the world’s sole nuclear power at the time, and it shouldered the burden of financing the rebuilding of Europe and Japan along with protecting the survivors from a growing Soviet threat.

From a cultural point of view, World War II also launched the United States as an artistic superpower, a position it still holds. Americans held the high ground in science, technology, literature, music, theatre, popular culture and, with the arrival of Abstract Expressionism, painting and eventually sculpture. Only in philosophy did Europe retain some measure of its prewar strength.

Yet in spite of its American cultural claims, physical expansiveness and progressive aspirations, Abstract Expressionism remained tied to European modernism in ways that defied its self-professed Americanism. It was big and bold, but it was more about New York than Des Moines. By the end of the 1950s it was clear that the great American style spoke mostly to an elite.

According to Arthur Danto, postmodernism began with Andy Warhol’s screenprinted, plywood replicas of Brillo boxes in the early sixties. The date seems a little arbitrary, and in truth the postmodern approach coexisted with high modernism before it was recognized as something new. It could be even argued that Duchamp launched postmodernism as early as 1917, although most art historians would rightfully reject such an assertion. What are postmodernism’s hallmarks?

IrreverenceAppropriationImpurityNarrative An embrace of popular culture and technologiesNew materialsRepresentationAnti-heroismSkepticismCamp and KitschIrony

Jasper JohnsAmerican

Target with Plaster Casts1955

Robert Rauschenberg and Susan WeilAmericans

Light Borne in Darkness1951

Robert Rauschenberg

American

MonogramFreestanding

combine1955-59

Robert RauschenbergAmerican

Quote1964

POP

A celebration of popular culture or a mockery of lowbrow art?

TelevisionRock and RollThe Cult of YouthThe Cult of the CelebrityDrug ChicCamp, Kitsch and Dispassionate Appropriation

Ironythe gold standard of postmodernism

irony 1 |ˈīrənē; ˈiərnē| |ˌaɪrəni| |ˌʌɪrəni|noun ( pl. -nies)the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect : “Don't go overboard with the gratitude,” he rejoined with heavy irony. See note at wit . a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result : [with clause ] the irony is that I thought he could help me. (also dramatic or tragic irony) a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.ORIGIN early 16th cent.(also denoting Socratic irony): via Latin from Greek eirōneia ‘simulated ignorance,’ from eirōn ‘dissembler.’irony 2 |ˈīərnē| |ˌaɪrəni| |ˌʌɪəni|adjectiveof or like iron : an irony gray color.

ironynoun1 that note of irony in her voice sarcasm, causticity, cynicism, mockery, satire, sardonicism. See note at wit . antonym sincerity.2 the irony of the situation paradox, incongruity, incongruousness. antonym logic.

Andy WarholAmerican

Dick Tracy1960

Andy WarholAmerican

Marilyn Monroe1967

Andy WarholAmerican

Campbell's Soup Can with Can Opener1962

Andy WarholAmerican

Race Riot1964

Mel RamosAmerican

Miss Corn Flakes1964

PhotorealismIllusionistic Abstraction: Realism by the Shovelful and the Redefinition of Skill

Ralph GoingsAmerican

Airstream1970

Ralph GoingsAmerican

Still Life with Straws1978

Richard EstesAmerican

Bus Reflections (Ansonia)1972

Robert CottinghamAmerican

Bud1975

Chuck CloseAmerican

Big Self Portrait1967-68Acrylic on Canvas107.5” x 83.5”

Chuck CloseAmerican

Linda1975-76Acrylic and Pencil on Canvas108” x 84”

Chuck CloseAmerican

Lorna1995Oil on Canvas102” x 84”

Audrey FlackAmerican

Strawberry Tart Supreme1974

Audrey FlackAmerican

Golden Girl1978

William BeckmanAmerican

Self Portrait 1978

William BeckmanAmerican

Study for Red Painting 1993

Rackstraw DownesAnglo-American

Demolition and Excavation on the Site of the Equitable Life Assurance Society’s New Tower at 7th Avenue and 52nd Street1983

Pat Gorman of Manhattan Design

MTV Press Kit Cover1982

Clement Mok (designer), Eric Wilson (producer), andStudio Archetype (design studio)

NBC News Intercast Screen1995

Euro HipsterismThe Children Influence the Parents

Gerhard RichterGerman

Woman Descending the Staircase1965


Forty-eight Portraits1971-72


Meadowland1985


S. With Child1995


Abstract Picture (Rhombus)1998


Moritz2000-2001

Japanese Hipsterism

the aesthetics of cuteness, sex, violence and ethical ambiguity

manga maŋga|noun a Japanese genre of cartoons, comic books, and animated films, typically having a science-fiction or fantasy theme and sometimes including violent or sexually explicit material. Compare with anime .ORIGIN Japanese, from man indiscriminate ﾕ + ga picture.ﾕanime noun Japanese movie and television animation, often having a science fiction theme and sometimes including violent or explicitly sexual material. Compare with manga .ORIGIN 1980s: Japanese.

otaku plural noun(in Japan) young people who are highly skilled in or obsessed with computer technology to the detriment of their social skills.ORIGIN Japanese, literally your house, ﾕ alluding to the reluctance of such young people to leave the house.

Poku Pop + otaku

Katsuhiro OtomoJapanese

Akira1988Manga Panel

Takashi MurakamiJapanese

born 1962


born 1962


born 1962


born 1962


born 1962


born 1962


born 1962

Education

Postmodernism (One Tiny Slice)