The Aesthetics of Postmodernism

Modernity n God, reason and progress n There was a center to the universe. n Progress is based upon knowledge, and man is capable of discerning objective absolute truths in science and the arts. n Modernism is linked to capitalism—progressive economic administration of world n Modernization of 3rd world countries (imposition of modern Western values) Newtonian Order TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING

What is Modernism? n The world according to White Anglo-Saxon males, based upon the mythology of Western Europe, rooted in the Judeo-Christian religion and Greek- Roman philosophy. n Western man is superior. n Progress, reason and science are the highest manifestations of humanity. n Western man was put one earth to modernize the world (e.g., Manifest Density, the Columbus myth). n The rest of the world consists of barbarians and “orientals” (ergo, colonialization) Acceptance of a New Age POSTMODERNISM

“Modern” View of Literature & Film n Good literature is of timeless significance. n The text will reveal constants, universal truths, about human nature, because human nature itself is constant and unchanging. n Good literature is honest and sincere. n Art is to be respected, and belongs on a pedestal. n There are accepted traditional standards for different art forms & genres that should be obeyed and respected. Purpose of Literature TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING

Language: The “Modern” View n People are the same everywhere n There are universal laws and truths n Knowledge is objective, independent of culture, gender, etc. n Language is a man-made tool that refers to real things / absolute truths n I, the subject, speak language n I have a discernible self n The self is the center of existence What Is Language? as TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING

Modernism n Early 1900s: F World War I F Worldwide poverty & exploitation Death of the Old Order TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

Modernism n Early 1900s: F World War I F Worldwide poverty & exploitation n Intellectual upheaval: F Freud: psychoanalysis F Marx: class struggle F Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Neitzsche F Picasso, Stravinsky, Kafka, Proust, Brecht, Joyce, Eliot Death of the Old Order TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

Relativism n Einstein: relativity, quantum mechanics n Refutation of Newtonian science n Time is relative n Matter and energy are one n Light as both particle and wave n Universe is strange The Bending of Time & Space TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM E=mc2

Modernist Art n Cubism n Surrealism n Dadaism n Expressionism n Different ways of depicting reality n Fragmentation of reality n BUT STILL A BELIEF IN AN OBJECTIVE REALITY (for the most part) Breaking the Rules PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

What is Postmodernism? n A term applied to all human sciences — anthropology, psychology, architecture, history, etc. n Anti-foundational n Anti-Western n Rejection of universal truths and grand narratives n Truth is pluralistic, dependent upon the frame of reference of the observer n Celebrates diversity Acceptance of a New Age POSTMODERNISM

What is Postmodernism? n The Enlightenment project is toast. Acceptance of a New Age POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism: Basic Concepts n All versions of reality are SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS F Concepts of good and evil F Metaphors for God F Language F The self F Gender F Aesthetics F EVERYTHING! The End of Master Narratives POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism: Basic Concepts n Life just is n All “truths” are contingent cultural constructs n Mass-mediated reality n Multiple conflicting identities n Sense of fragmentation and decentered self n Does not mourn loss of history or universal truths The End of Master Narratives POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism: Basic Concepts n Knowledge is contingent, contextual and linked to POWER n Values are derived from ordinary social practices, which differ from culture to culture and change with time n Values are determined by manipulation and domination n Language is a social construct that “speaks” & identifies the subject Language As Social Construct POSTMODERNISM

Postmodern View of Language n Observer is a participant/part of what is observed n Receiver of message is a component of the message n Information becomes information only when contextualized n The individual (the subject) is a cultural construct n Consider role of own culture when examining others n All interpretation is conditioned by cultural perspective and mediated by symbols and practice The Observer is King POSTMODERNISM

Postmodern View of Language SIGNIFIED Meaning SIGNIFIER Sound or written word Signifier & Signified as STRUCTURALISM

Postmodern View of Language SIGNIFIED Meaning SIGNIFIER Sound or written word Signifier & Signified as STRUCTURALISM as

Postmodern View of Language SIGNIFIED Meaning SIGNIFIER Sound or written word Signifier & Signified as STRUCTURALISM OTHER SIGNIFIERS Sound or written words as

ModernityPostModern n History as fact n Faith in social order n Family as central unit n Authenticity of originals n Mass consumption Binary Oppositions POSTMODERNISM n Written by the victors n Cultural pluralism n Alternate families n Hyper-reality (MTV) n Niches; small group identity

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM A gay Southern Baptist who practices Buddhist meditation and believes in the Big Bang theory.

Modern or Postmodern

PostModern Literature & Film n No guiding traditional grand narratives n Extreme freedom of form and expression n Rejects traditional linear narratives n Plays with time and space n Repudiation of boundaries of narration & genre n Self-reflexive n Deliberate violation of standards of sense and decency (which are viewed as methods of social control) It’s only a movie POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature & Film n Characters on the margins of society n Mix of high and low brow art forms n Integration of everyday experience, pop and consumer culture n Playful treatment of serious subjects (no gnashing of teeth) n Doesn’t take itself seriously (no pretentious universal truths) n Has fun with language and imagery (MTV like) Mix of media & styles POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature & Film n Death of the “modern” hero F From Greek literature to “modern” times F “Great” men who triumph over evil F Rugged, self-reliant individuals F High moral values F Conquerors, prophets, visionaries F Heroes for the rest of us to worship and emulate F Highest reflection of our desired national or cultural identity Rocky is Dead POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature & Film n The postmodern “anti-hero” F Imperfect individuals “trapped in existence” F Convey moods of cynicism, fear and distrust F Limited “powers” to resolve problems F Often fail in their ventures F Frequently outcasts, at the margins of society F Deeper, richer characters F Reflections of a decentralized world order F Create own “moral” standards Creatures of the dark side POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature & Film Anti-Heroes POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature n Parody, play, black humor, pastiche n Ambiguities and uncertainties n Ironic detachment n Postcolonial, global-English literature n Global n Celebrate diversity of views and lifestyles Fragmented Identities POSTMODERNISM

Pastiche--Self-referential, tongue-in-cheek, rehashes of classic pop culture Flattening of Affect--Technology, violence, drugs, and the media lead to detached, emotionless, unauthentic lives Hyperreality--Technologically created realities are often more authentic or desirable than the real world Time Bending--Time travel provides another way to shape reality and play "what if" games with society Altered States--Drugs and technology provide a darker, sometimes psychedelic, gateway to new internal realities More Human than Human--Artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybernetics seek to enhance, or replace, humanityastiche Flattening of Affect Hyperreality Time Bending Altered States More Human than Human Fragmented Identities POSTMODERNISM Overview of Postmodern Movies

Examples of Postmodern Film Fragmented Identities POSTMODERNISM

Literary & FilmTheory Celebrating Diversity POSTMODERNISM n Different constructs of reality n “Lenses” through which we see the world ?

PostModernism n “The narrative is unraveled, the author is dead, the Enlightenment project is toast, and history is history.” n “An epochal shift in the basic condition in being.” --Geoffrey Nunberg An Epochal Shift in Thinking POSTMODERNISM

Battle of World Views HOLLYWOOD FUNDAMENTIALISM POSTMODERNISM vs. FOUNDATIONALISM VS

PostModernism A Global Battle: THE OBJECTIVISTS vs. THE CONSTRUCTIVISTS Modern Postmodern Battle of World Views POSTMODERNISM

PostModernism Modernists are still around My Way POSTMODERNISM “When I said during my presidential bid that I would only bring Christians and Jews into the government, I hit a firestorm. How dare you maintain that those who believe in the Judeo- Christian values are better qualified to govern America than Hindus and Muslims?' My simple answer is, `Yes, they are.'” -from Pat Robertson's "The New World Order"

PostModernism You can be a Christian (or Buddhist, or Hindu, etc.) in the postmodern world. God is Not Dead POSTMODERNISM

PostModernism We all slip and slide between the objective and constructive views: 1. We live in a world of naïve realism. (We accept grand narratives as true.) 2. But when we think about things, or have to explain our views, we become constructivists. We Live in the Middle POSTMODERNISM

PostModernism n THE HOPE OF POSTMODERNISTS: F The deconstruction of foundational views will lead to a recognition and acceptance of a pluralistic worldview. F Create a truly global civilization. Celebrating Diversity POSTMODERNISM