What is postmodernism? + Baudrillard

Question 1

Define postmodernism:

Answer 1

Style + concept in the arts characterised by a distrust of theories + ideologies, and by the drawing of attention to conventions

Question 2

What does postmodernism reflect as an art form?

Answer 2

Modern society’s feelings of alienation, insecurity, + uncertainties concerning identity, history, progress + truth, and the break up of those traditions like religion, family, and class

Question 3

What is the purpose of postmodernism?

Answer 3

To play around with tradition + diff identities in relation to gender and sexuality

Question 4

What is fragmented culture?

Answer 4

Post modern theorists state we now live in a ‘3 minute culture’ (length of ppls attention span), or that were part of an over-visual society

Question 5

What are some ideas surrounding postmodernism?

Answer 5

• Representation is played around with
• Post modernism blurs idea of media compared with reality, don’t know whats real + what isn’t
• Unconventional
• Rejects ideas that some media products are more significant than others

Question 6

What did theorist Baudrillard create?

Answer 6

Philosophical treatise called ‘Simulacra and simulation’

Question 7

What is simulacra + simulation most known for?

Answer 7

Discussion of images, signs, + how they relate to present day

Question 8

What does Baudrillard claim about modern society?

Answer 8

That we have replaced reality + meaning with symbols + signs, and that human experience is simulation of reality rather than actual reality

Question 9

What does Baudrillard believe about simulacra in society?

Answer 9

That society has become reliant on simulacra + lost contact with real world that simulacra is based on

Question 10

Define simulation:

Answer 10

Artificial version of reality that were absorbing

E.g. The wild west

Question 11

Define simulacra:

Answer 11

Signs that make up the simulation, the construction

E.g. Cattle, cowboys