8/06/2011

Post-modernism, Ai Weiwei & 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.

l  “a late 20th -century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents a departure from modernism and is characterized by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions, a mixing of different artistic styles and media , and a general distrust of theories.” (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS)

l  Postmodernism is largely a reaction to the assumed certainty of scientific, or objective, efforts to explain reality

l  “Postmodernism is essentially still in is infancy. It is an attempt to think beyond the confines of the past.”(What Is The Definition Of Postmodernism)
l  “Postmodernism is an attempt to question the world that we see around us and especially   not to take other people's views as the final truth.”(What Is The Definition Of Postmodernism)

l  Being preoccupied with the idea of novelty and is fascinated with the current (latest, most recent), with contemporary innovations, and with whatever happens to be in vogue (Oord, 2001).
l  “Postmodernism is a term used to designate the era beyond modernity.”(Sue McGregor 2003)
l  It refers to the intellectual mood and cultural expressions that are becoming increasingly dominant in contemporary society.” (Sue McGregor 2003)

l  It is a “seemingly anti-modern stance”: “involves a basic rejection of the tenets of Modernism.” (Witcombe 2000)
l  “We are now facing a new period. The name given to this new period is Postmodernism.” (Witcombe 2000)

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.
The post–modern artist is ‘reflexive’ in that he or she is self–aware and consciously involved in a process of thinking about his or her cultural self in history, in demasking his or her own pretensions, and promoting processes of self–consciousness.
 http://arthistoryresources.net/modernism/modpostmod.html

3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post- Modernity.
Post–modernism is an uncertain state in many ways but it is opposite from totalitarian and challenges to authority. There is deny representation, it is the own form of art so try expand the past. Meanwhile, using the most popular things we can see in this world in new ways and it induces active participation of the public.
4. Use this summary to answer the next two questions.

5. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994) in order to say what features of the work are Post-Modern.
Ai Weiwei dropping a Han Dynast Urn.


Dropping a Han Dynast Urn’ is triptych, it seems to challenge new creation through destruction. AiWeiwei says. “I think we have too much history. It’s not so important. I think people should have fun and enjoy their own time. I haven’t done much, so why should I waste people’s memory?” (Lucy Birmingham, 2009). The photo goes against all conventions of authority and languages of power, and decanonizes of culture.

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

'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994) depicts popular Coca-Cola logo on the Urn instead of the bottle or can. The Urn has a very old historical back ground and Coca-Cola is the most popular in the word. This is the adoption of now and past, it leads to new relations between historical elements. I think it seems to hostility to the enormous western civilization and show us interested in thing.


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 point 6.)

Banksy is a pseudo-anonymous English graffiti artist, today he is an icon of post-graffiti. The ‘Graffiti’ and ‘Street art’ are used approximately as the same meaning, but ‘Street art’ is more used to wide meaning than graffiti. It is any art developed in public spaces. It appears to have postmodernism that emphasis on content and message


'Flower Riot', Banksy


“There is a rioter from the Romanian revolution with his face masked and in the act of hurling a missile. But instead of a molotov cocktail, he is throwing a bouquet of flowers. His most resonant images raise questions about democracy, capitalism and society's acceptance of everything that is handed to it.”(BBC NEWS 2001) It seems extremely provocative but the rioter chose a batch of flower as a weapon. This goes against all conventions of authority in the irony expression.

                                            Los Angeles (2008), Banksy


In one hand the Caveman is carrying a bone and in the other hand he is carrying a tray with a burger, fries, and a drink.
The bone which is in white has a positive meaning and the fast food which is in black has a negative meaning for human worth. Where were we stated from? He expressed his opinion to a society which is dominated by a huge fast-food culture to take response from mass in public.


1 comment:

  1. I really enjoyed reading your bullet points on Post-Modernism. There were things I didn’t considering writing or I had never read before such as "Postmodernism is an attempt to question the world that we see around us and especially not to take other people's views as the final truth." I find myself questioning those who do have the last say in many different discussions or arguments. Also liked the way you summarized the grid in question 3, you’re in fact right about the use of ‘most popular things’ it does form new ways in which the public is vital to post-modernism.

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