Postmodernism

After attending the lecture on postmodernism and reading an extract from ''Cultural Pluralism and Post-Modernism' from 'Art in the Age of Mass Reproduction' by John A. Walker (2001), I have identified the key features of postmodernism as being:

• A rejection of the ideologies of Modernism

• The use of popular culture as 'high art' and other ambiguities or contradictions

• A mixture of various styles - a 'plurality' of styles, eclecticism - no one style is dominant

• References to historical/traditional styles, e.g. retro or vintage

• Elaborate and decorative styles compared to the simple, unadorned Modernist designs

• Design for design's sake as opposed to the Modernist utilitarian style of form following function

• A playful approach to design - brash, bright, clashing colours

I also collected some examples of postmodernist design from museums and Liberty.

The paper dress from the V&A displays a playfulness and an irreverence. It is made to be worn a couple of times and then disposed of - something that reflected the growing consumerist popular culture of the 1960s. The printed design on the dress also makes a nod towards the Art Nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th Century, which is yet another characteristic of postmodernism's incline towards historical references.

The tapestry by Eduardo Paolozzi at the Tate Modern again has very playful style with his bright and clashing colour scheme. The geometry alludes to the Modernist design as well as classical Grecian architecture, and this clash of styles is also characteristic of postmodernism.

The 'Tresco Tana' fabric from Liberty has an extremely elaborate and decorative style. The brash colours stand out even more against the black background. It is a contemporary take on the classic English floral designs that have been popularised by Liberty over the last two centuries.

Some of the positives of postmodernism are:

• Its richness and variety of styles

• The freedom of choice that consumers have is much greater than in Modernist societies

• The cross-fertilisation of ideas and genres creates interesting collaborative work

• It doesn't take itself too seriously - it has a sense of humour

• It challenges hierarchies - people from all social/educational backgrounds can 'understand' it

And some of the negatives of postmodernism are:

• Its anarchic tendencies

• It could be considered shallow and superficial - it emphasises style over substance/function

• It has an obsession with the past

• Too much choice

• It is incapable of producing a consensus or an over-arching style or design direction

References:

Walker, John A. (2001) 'Cultural Pluralism and Post-Modernism', in Art in the Age Mass Media. Pluto Press, pp. 83-86.