Post Modernism

Post Modernism 

Opposite to modernism 

• Initially born out of optimism, an aspirational reaction to world war 1 with a view to harnessing technology to improve people's lives 
• Ends up doctrinaire, almost blind obedience to rules, about all

Le Corbustier, Villa Savory, Poissy, 1928 

Aesthetic of a beautiful place like this is ruined by living, but taking it back to as minimal as possible removes/bleaches away the human imperfections. 

Modernism is associated with:

• Experimentation
• Innovation
• Individualism 
• Progress
• Purity
• Originality
• Seriousness - post modernism is more jokey and fun.

The postmodern condition is characterised by:

• Exhaustion
• Pluralism
• Pessimism
• Disillusionment with the idea of absolute knowledge

But some overlap...

Jean Tinguely - 'Homage To New York', 1960

Giant mechanical sculpture that after a certain amount of time would set itself on fire. 

Criticism of the modern world, machine that is useless and pointless. 

1960s - beginnings

1970s - established as a term (Jencks)

1980s - recognisable style

1980s & 1990s - dominant theoretical discourse 

Today - Tired and simmering

Origins of postmodernism

Uses of the term postmodern:

• after modernism
• The historical era following the modern
• Contra modernism
• Equivalent to 'late capitalism' (Jameson)
• Artistic and stylistic eclecticism
• 'Global village' phenomena: globalisation of cultures, races, images, capital, products

The demolition of the Pruitt - Igor development, St Louis

15 July 1972, 3:32pm

• modernism dies according to Charles Jencks 
• Le Corbusier 'Plan Voisin' 

Postmodernism has an attitude of questioning conventions (especially those set out by modernism) 

Postmodern aesthetic = multiplicity of style and approaches

Space for 'new voices'

Criticising modern society 

Modernism can be seen as quite macho/masculine

Postmodernism:

A reaction to these rules

Starts as a critique of the international style:

• Robert Venturi, learning from Las Vegas, 1972
• Ideas developed by Charles Jencks 1977

Only rule is that there are no rules

AT & T Building - Phillip Johnson, NYC, 1982 

• postmodernist building, random.