Postmodernism is a term often applied to artistic styles that emerged in the mid-1900’s. Art critics and historians do not agree on exactly when Postmodernism started or who began it. They do generally agree that it developed as a reaction to and a rejection of a widespread style of the earlier 1900’s called Modernism.
Modernist artists and designers preferred simple, geometrical, and clean-looking forms that were uncluttered and practical. Modernism advocated geometrical abstraction and sleek, streamlined designs. Postmodern artists and designers revived the styles of older art movements. Through this revival, Postmodernism introduced complexity, figurative ornament, and cluttered or mixed-up forms. Modernism stressed originality, newness, and the economy of line, shape, and color. Postmodernism stressed the revival of tradition, and often featured the plentiful use of texture, shape, color, or line. Modernist art emphasized individual expression. Postmodern art stressed collective or shared expression through collaboration and a blend of borrowed styles called pastiche.
In the fine arts, Postmodernism is probably most visible in the works of several American architects. A typical Postmodern building reflects elements of historical styles ignored by earlier modern architects. Unlike Modernist structures, Postmodern buildings often feature ornamentation on their exteriors. The most notable Postmodern architect and theorist is Robert Venturi. Other Postmodern architects include Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Philip Johnson, Charles Moore, Robert Stern, James Stirling, and Stanley Tigerman.
Social critics have also used the term Postmodernism to define changes in our way of life. For example, a Postmodern society is more decentralized, fragmented, and impermanent than a Modernist society. The characteristics of a Postmodern society can be seen in the fragmentary poetry of the American writer John Ashbery, in the experimental works of the American composer John Cage, and in the symbol-filled pictures of the American photographer Cindy Sherman.
