Week 2- Post Modernism

Ai Wei wei and banksy

This week's ALVC tutorial covers Post-Modernism. Use the ALVC texts and definitions from the internet to define the term and answer the following questions;

1. Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.

• Reflexivity 
• Relativism
• Rejection of post modernism thinking
• Pluraist 
• Non-universal thinking
• Irony
• Deconstructive
• Linguistic

The term 'Post-modern' means after the modern period which was used for philosophy, literature, social science, and architecture.There are a range of postmodern thinkers, they may have different opinions and people from different fields have different definition of post-moderism. 
"Most importantly we see the dissolution of distinctions, the merging of subject and object, self and other."-John Wayne
Postmodern is different to any other art and is defined very widely that it is hard to define as one. 

"Postmodernism was a movement in architecture that rejected the modernist, avant garde, passion for the new." -James Morely 

Modernism was clearly understood in art and also within architecture even though it hasnt been assigned to a definition.

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.(page 24)

The post modern artist is 'reflexive' in that he/she is self-aware and consciously involved in a process of thinking about him/herself and society in a deconstructive manner.

3. Use the table on pages 47 and 48 in your ALVC handbook to summarize the list of the features of Post-Modernity.
The features of Post-modernity are Social and cultural purism and disunity and is mainly focused on surface and texture rather than depth. Culture adapting, hyper-reality, image saturation. Because of how the media and and reality has been torn apart, a new artefact has been influenced by the ones previous to it.

Use this summary to answer the next two questions.

4. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994)

in order to say what features of the work could be considered Post-Modern.

'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994), Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei dropping a Han Dynast Urn.

The 'Coca-Cola' work done by Ai WeiWei  was a piece that was installed in an exhibition which was the most shocking piece of work because of how simple it was. This work symbolizes appropriation, globalization and attracts this piece from the viewers because more of the brand rather than the object that is displayed. This reminds me of ' Fountain - R Mutt' originally and secretly that was done by Marcel Duchamp, how everyone thought it was a piece of rubbish done by a fool named 'R Mutt' later they found out that the piece was done byMarcel Duchamp. Ironically Ai weiwei's piece was the highly treasured artefact and was also became more increasingly valued after being noted as postmodern art.

6. Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist

to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from question 3.)

'Flower Riot', Banksy

Los Angeles (2008), Banksy

Banksy is a very famous graffiti artist who uses stencils for his work. His works are mostly symbolized as a mockery of the society that is surrounded to him. The way Banksy     lays out his works and how he relates reality and fantasy together is very smart of him which he is clearly can be labelled as a postmodern artist. Both of the works above can be noted as post modern because the flowers are symbolized as peace and love and the 'Los Angles' explains how back in the days stone age did not have fast food and also points out the timeline of present and the past.

http://theworldsbestever.com/2008/02/new_banksy_pieces_surface_in_l.php

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/03/11/how-china-conquered-the-art-world.html

http://artasiapacific.com/Magazine/78/DevastatingHistory

http://www.architectural-review.com/delight/ai-weiweis-colored-vases/8615365.article

http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0242.html

Witcombe, C (2000) Modernism & Post Modernism. Retrieved 29 January, 2004 from http://witcombe.sbc.edu?modernism/modpostmod.html
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