A revolutionary movement that emerged suddenly in the 1960’s altered the history of art forever. This exciting and unique style is widely known today as Postmodernism. A multitude of knowledgeable professors, artists, critics, and highly educated scholars have attempted to supply a proper definition for the word.
“In Modernism, reality used to validate media. In Postmodernism, the media validates reality. If you don’t believe this, just think how many times you’ve described some real event being ‘just like a movie.’
-Brad Holland
Curiously, in spite of all the efforts made, a specific definition has not been decided. There remains to be a diverse range of answers to what precisely Postmodernism may be. Making this topic of conversation exceedingly controversial. A simplistic way of defining it would be that Postmodernism is a direct retaliation and reaction to Modernism.
Beginning an age that attempts to dissolves the boundaries between reality and logical reason. Postmodernism was ultimately invented to destroy the normal constructs society had fabricated for us so we can break all the rules. Therefore, invoking the ability of freedom of expression and the freedom of thought. A famous contemporary artist who is highly befitting of the term, Postmodernist, is Andy Warhol. This acclaimed genius was mostly known for his pieces created in the style deemed as pop art. Pop art is also in association with abstract expressionism. Warhol did further explore with different mediums such as silkscreening, film making, and painting
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The Campbell Soup Can has become a visual culture icon in the world of art. Furthermore, this image managed to evolve into Warhol’s classic and main signature. When someone sees this particular image, either in a small coffee shop or a popular bookstore, people automatically think of Andy Warhol. Disgruntled speculation does arise through the question of whether or not this piece is actual art. Can we call it art? Having people ponder or asking these types of questions supports the entire philosophy and theory behind Postmodernism. What Warhol has created is breaking free of the constructs of artistic expectations and Modernism. He has created something entirely fresh and controversial.
Andy Warhol applied the Postmodern technique called ‘bricolage’ to several of his works. The term derives from the French word that translates into “do it yourself”. This method was developed by artists in the early twentieth century due to the lack of resources. Artists would employ whatever materials around them or anything at hand, and incorporate them artistically into their pieces. In this image of a hamburger, Warhol has utilized the materials of white linen and acrylic paints. Another example of detaching from the original technique and methods on how art pieces were perceived to be created.
Check out this link to: What is Postmodernism?
Introduction to Visual Culture Spring 2016 