Postmodernism vs Modernism

Question 1

Modernist Art

Answer 1

• Clear distinction between high and low art
• Autonomous arts with critical purpose
• Emphasis on stylistic purity, formalism, and functionalism
• Emphasis on authenticity and meaning
• Emphasis on cult of the genius and originality

Question 2

Postmodernist Art

Answer 2

• Blurred boundaries high and low art
• Disappearing autonomy and all-encompassing cultural industry
• Plea for stylistic impurity and eclecticism
• No authenticity, reality as a simulation, loss of meaning
• Intertextuality
• Fragmentation of subject, art as imitation and parody
• Interest in minorities
• Deconstruction

Question 3

Modernist Society

Answer 3

• Industrial Capitalism
• Meta narratives
• Universal ideals of the Enlightenment
• Absolute Truth
• The subject = the fundament

Question 4

Postmodernist Society

Answer 4

• Information, consumption and media society
• End of Meta narratives
• Crisis of legitimation
• Plurality of perspectives
• Fragmentation of the subject
• Death of the author (Barthes)