Postmodernism and modern art.
According to Wikipedia, we know that: Postmodernism is a broad trend in art, reflecting the search for new meanings by modern artists. Postmodernism cannot be called the only style, it is more a complex of directions united by a common ideological basis. Many of them even come into confrontation with each other.
Anyhow, almost all articles about postmodernism are simply teeming with the same complex words, such as "modernity" (and no, this is not the same as modernism) and "postmodernism", "metamodernism" (which is not far from postmodernism, but not part of it) and "Post-postmodernism". Therefore, instead of using this whole set of complex words and jargon, let me give you a simple example that will help you understand "postmodern art".
But then the question arises, what is the difference between postmodern art and modern art? In practice, these two terms are more or less interchangeable. For example, let's take a look at the famous work of Jeff Koons. Balloon dog (orange).
One of Koons' favorite materials was stainless steel. He covers it with a colored gloss so that the sculptures give the impression of weightless. Balloon Dog was made in the technique of "inflatable" steel, depicting a ball twisted in the shape of a dog.
Critics quickly dubbed this sculpture as a "smug nonsense" and "outright absurdity", but the creator believed that his steel puppy teaches society an important lesson on materialism, and called the statue a modern version of the Trojan horse.
The main advantage of the sculpture is the feeling of its lightness, almost weightlessness. Although, in fact, this sculpture weighs a ton, and its dimensions are more than three meters in length and height. Koons created five such "dogs". All sold for tens of millions of dollars.
Despite the fact that Koons himself has repeatedly said that there are no hidden meanings in his works. This does not negate the fact that in an interview Koons once described his balloon dog sculptures as a “symbol of our society”. According to Koons, inflatable animals are the personification of breathing and human life. The sculptures radiating optimism create a contrast between the routine and the monumental. The reflective surfaces of his balloon creatures also contribute to their significance. As if like a Trojan horse, they are perceived as empty and at the same time full of symbolism.
Dogs are one of the most recognizable and familiar animals in the life of mankind. They have long been used as a symbol of connection and partnership for people. Known for their loyalty, trust and dedication, dogs have become man's best friend and an enduring symbol of our connection with non-human animals. In the form of a balloon animal, a dog has deep connections with our individual memories of childhood fun and games - an experience that manages to be both collective and at the same time deeply personal. Balloon animals, which are most often distributed at parties or entertainment fairs, are a one-time symbol of our materialistic youth and our fascination with temporary sculptures and symbols.
There is something tangible in the emotional reaction of many of us to an object that so vividly reminds us of the magic and charm of our childhood - a sentimentality that is strangely at odds with the obvious commentary on capitalism and the commodification of art in Koons' works.
Citation:
Postmodern art (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodern_art (Accessed: October 26, 2022)
Amanda (2019) Reflections on balloon dog, Merritt Gallery. Available at: https://www.merrittgallery.com/reflections-on-balloon-dog/#:~:text=According%20to%20Koons%2C%20the%20inflatable,the%20everyday%20and%20the%20monumental. (Accessed: October 26, 2022).
Modern art vs. postmodern art: 3 key differences - 2022 (no date) MasterClass. Available at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/modernism-vs-postmodernism (Accessed: October 26, 2022).
