Modernism/Postmodernism – Who Cares?

Modernism and postmodernism is algorithm poetry of the 21^st century. Pop art was considered to be an art movement of modernism on the other hand some is considered to be early examples of postmodernism art. Pop art challenged tradition by exploiting popular culture.  The breakthrough of pop art was made by the English artist Richard Hamilton 1956, with his collage of ‘Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? This collage rivaled tradition as it depicts objects of everyday life, employed techniques of commercial art and popular culture; it also contains connotations of sexuality, which was highly frowned upon in the 1950’s, therefore showing sign of modernism through progression. However it was seen as the pivot where modernism switches to postmodernism, as it portrays signs of superficial tendencies. So the real question was ‘what is pop culture?’ Roy Lichtenstein’s art poses this question vividly; especially his pop art piece named ‘Whaam’ which was an adaption of a comic strip that cleverly portrayed the onomatopoeic word ‘whaam’. It was also considered to be one of the earliest pieces of pop art. So through the revelation of pop art, pop culture is considered to be just as important as classic culture.

                Regardless of faith collectively Modernist believe in a higher truth, that there is a grand narrative in life, that we are progressing, we should strive to succeed, build better and bigger lives’ for ourselves.  Take Marxists for example, the belief that there will eventually be a revolution, the abolishment of capitalism and the new creation of a society where no class system exists, no private property and everyone will be equal. In simpler terms a communist society. In the terms of visual culture modernism involves using up to date material to achieve the best possible outcome, to fulfill the assigned brief to the best of quality, therefore helping mankind to achieve this ‘grand narrative’.    

On the other hand Visual culture questions modernism, take the Vietnam war for example the photo of a naked and terrified young Vietnam girl running down a road near Trang Bang, 1972, photographed by Nick Ut or the photograph of Thích Quảng Đức self-immolation, 1963. Do these photographs support a modernist movement or was it a sign that postmodernism was prevailing and therefore it served as an icon for the peace movement that was prevalent in the 1970’s.

We live in a mainly postmodernism society that is consumed by a dominate shallow lifestyle, where media and reality have collided and are consequently difficult to distinguish one from the other, key examples of this is shows like big brother. The postmodernism society that we live in is said to have become so commercialized that we only live for present and have no interest in history. Although I hope this is not the case, as I have always had a great interest in history. The traditions that a family follows, the surroundings in which we live and the everyday activities we carry out are determined by historical events, therefore I believe that it is difficult to escape history. Even though this postmodernism society may have ‘no interest’ in history they still have connections to it and maybe one day when we are finished with our self obsessed lifestyles, then we might realise our roots and take an interest.

To be honest I am torn on this matter of postmodernism and modernism, I hate the fact that we live in a society that is driven by commercialization and peer pressure, and the belief that if it is good looking then it’s acceptable, therefore I hope that some factor of modernism remains.