Postmodernism

I did some research and found no one solid explanation that was coherent. So I found an interesting and somewhat organized overall explanation in the Megg’s History of Graphic Design book.

Postmodernism is defined as beginning around 1970 as the Modern era was coming to a close. Everything that was thought to be during the Modern period began to be questioned such as cultural norms and authority of traditional institutions. Issues like the equality between men and women fueled some of the artwork created, as did minorities contributing to our societies growing cultural diversity. Accepted social, economic and environmental viewpoints were challenged and thought to be irrelevant to the emerging postindustrial society. The term postmodernism represented a culture shift that included artists, architects, economists, feminists and even theologians.

The style of architecture during Postmodernism is also a deliberate opposite to the formalism abundant in the Modernist architecture. Postmodern architecture is laden with interesting lines and curves, and sometimes includes elaborate ornamentation, which is all an attempt to mirror the postmodern desire to focus on the surface of things. Formulaic design was no longer so sought after and a more exuberant architectural style began to sweep over cities.

•Barbara Kruger is an example of a postmodern artist; her magazine cutout-like pieces speak for issues of the self and identity. Kruger worked for a fashion magazine, and her art pieces incorporate appropriated media images with strong, pithy phrases that often relate to objectification of women and other cultural issues that women face.

•Postmodern architecture relies on a uniquely represented exterior, often carrying over onto the interior of the building, because of the desire to create an aesthetically pleasing surface which was such a repetitious Postmodernist value. Some elements commonly found in postmodern architecture include irony and surprise, contradiction, and self-mockery, and definitely an element of originality.
Michael Graves is a popular postmodern architect who created many very original buildings; two of his well known designs are the Portland Building in Portland, Oregon, and the Humana Building in Louisville, Kentucky.

•Installation art pieces are also prevalent in the postmodern art world. Jenny Holzer’s installation art displays textual messages she calls “truisms,” short phrases similar to Kruger’s work, with channels often used by the media such as billboards or LED signs. Holzer’s work, much like all installation pieces, is conceptual and doesn’t require much craftsmanship; installation artists typically use manufactured or found objects, which is a popular Postmodernist feature.

(www.wsu.edu/~lauren_clark/pomoarchitecture.html)