Introducing Postmodernism

Postmodernism
- A movement of ideas arising from, but also critical of elements of modernism
- Aesthetic movement beginning after World War 2

Postmodern attitudes in a nutshell
- Decentralized, Media-centered society
- Loss of a stable, objective and original source of meaning
- Rejection of metanarratives as artificially imposed forms of order
- Breaking of traditional frames of genre; overthrowing category

The Postmodern Aesthetic

The Postmodern Aesthetic

In art, the specific traits of modernism which are cited are generally formal purity, art for art's sake, the possibility of authenticity in art, the importance or even possibility of universal truth in art, and the importance of an avant-garde and originality. This last point is one of particular controversy in art, where many institutions argue that being visionary, forward looking, cutting edge and progressive are crucial to the mission of art in the present, and that postmodern therefore, represents a contradiction of the value of "art of our times".

(Taken from http://www.wikipedia.com)

Postmodern Reactions to Modernism: A rejection of the authority of the metanarrative
Marked by a belief that all positions are unstable, and all truth is relative.

- Eradication of boundaries between high and low art
- Use of Bricolage and Fragmentation
- Blurring of genres
- Intertextuality
- Self-referentiality, especially with regard to the past
- Increased importance on popular culture,

Other artistic movements relevant to postmodernism:

dadaism
protested against the contemporary academic and cultured values of art.
ignored aesthetics and strove to have no meaning

its interpretation is dependent entirely on the viewer

Eventually (and ironically) influenced later movements in art such as surrealism and pop art

(sidenote: according to dadaism, dadaism really shouldnt be called "dadaism")

surrealism
a cultural movement that began in the mid-1920s
works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non-sequitor

minimalism

in part a reaction to the perceived inaccessibility and sterility of modernist classical music

*madeleine will tell you more!!*

Postmodernism in Music

1. as a musical condition

simply the state of music in postmodernity, music after modernity in this sense, postmodern music does not have any one particular style or characteristic

2. as musical style

Daniel Albright (2004):

i. Bricolage - the construction or creation of a work from a diverse range of things which happen to be available

ii. Polystylism - the use of multiple styles or techniques of music

ii. Randomness - lack purpose, cause, order, or predictability that is related to the separation of a musical piece from the ego of the composer or performer

eclecticism n musical form or genre
self referential and ironic
blurs the boundaries between high art and popular art,
reducing the role of a composer in musical composition,

3. as musical technique

i. Use of synthesizers

ii. quotation from pre-existing material – reproduction of prerecorded sound

iii. electronic instruments

Digital technology made it easy to “cut and paste” different bits of sound, noise, and voice recordings into meaningful collages, while synthesizers and other electronic tools made it possible to reinvent pre-recorded sound in a wide variety of ways.

Postmodern VIPs

John Cage

“There is no such thing as silence. Something is always happening that makes a sound."

4:33

- Aleatory music began to blur the boundaries between the composer and the audience, and between the musician and the environment, which was a postmodern trend.

Edgard Varese

“New electronic art music”

Made use of pre-existing instruments, but experimented with new sounds and methods to create them.

- an emphasis on timbre and rhythm

- Inventor of "organized sound": a phrase meaning that certain timbres and rhythms can be grouped together, sublimating into a whole new definition of sound.

Philip Glass

Intersection and interaction between the worlds of classical and popular music

Glass has written 2 symphonies (‘Low’ and ‘Heroes’) based on albums by David Bowie in collaboration with Brian Eno.

- Blurring of the definition between “classic” and “popular” in postmodern world

David Bowie and Brian Eno - Heroes

Postmodern Techniques in Popular Music

"Reference was not merely a technique, but the substance of music."



Weird Al Yankovich: Polka Power :D