Modernism vs Postmodernism Flashcards
how would we define the difference between modernism and post modernism?
they define reality, truth and meaning in art differently
how might a modernist think?
modernists think of the physical or pure forms of art. ideas of something real and concrete in the world, if we look at art long enough we find the meaning
how might a post modernist think?
reality is pre filtered or coded. it is a representation. reality is self constructed.
how does a modernist view truth?
a modernist views it as something to seek. it is preexisting
how does a post modernist view truth?
a post modernist constructs truth. there is no concrete reality
what kind of system does a modernist work in?
well defined points of reference e.g. the canon of art history.
what kind of system does a post modernist work in?
undoing the system to understand the world as a construction. interpretable and changeable.
how does the modernist and post modernist view “the essence” of art
modernist seeks the deeper meaning by looking closely. post modernist isn’t interested in the essence but the context. how the work circles in different contexts. no singular essence.
what is the difference between a modernist and post modernist and the meaning of art?
modernist views the meaning of the work deriving from the intention of the artist. post modernism meaning resides in context and is interchangeable in different cultures
what did Roland Barthes write?
the death of the author
did Barthes have a modernist or post modernist way of thinking?
post modernist
what does did Barthes mean with “the death of the author, birth of the reader”?
the writer or artists is not where singular meaning comes from. the reader or audience brings our their own understanding etc
how does modernism and post modernism view the expression of the artist?
modernism views the artists expression as original and authentic. post modernism doesn’t believe in originality, everything is a copy and appropriated
what was the name of Alfred Barr’s exhibition at MoMA in 1936?
Cubism and Abstract Art
what was the intention of the exhibition?
the center cubism and abstract art as the defining boundary of the 20th century modernisms
who was Clement Greenburg?
he was an American essayist involved with modern art and a formalist
what did Greenburg like about modernist art?
he liked when art was about the medium and formal qualities e.g. a painting talking about
how is Greenburg a modernist?
he likes categorisation within the arts and tries to find the essence in works
what was Greenburg’s 4 approaches?
- medium specific 2. historical 3. aesthetic 4. formalist
what did Greenburg mean by medium specific approach?
he was only interested in mediums where there was no crossing between mediums e.g. painting is only painting.
what did Greenburg mean by historical approach?
modernists exploring within their disciplines boundaries without breaking away from it. an extension of the past
what did Greenburg mean by an aesthetic approach?
quality is all that matters to Greenburg. art is more serious than commercial. value judgement
what did Greenburg mean by a formalist approach?
visual is the utmost important, if there is any meaning it is secondary
what was the kind of approach or way of thinking was the show “Pictures” curated by Douglas Crimp exploring?
post modernism
