Week 2 - Post-Modernism - Ai Weiwei and Banksy.

Post-Modernism
This week's ALVC tutorial covers Post-Modernism. Use the ALVC texts and definitions from the internet to define the term and answer the following questions


1. Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.

• Reflexivity
• Relativist thinking
• Rejection of modernism reason
• Non-Universalist thinking
• Pluraist
• Irony
• Deconstructive
• Linguistic

Postmodern is of course composed by two parts "post" and "modern".
Postmodernism is a philosophical movement away from the viewpoint of modernism.

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.(page 24)

According to Witcombe (2000) The post-modern artist is "reflexive" in that he/she is self-aware and consciously involved in a process of thinking about him/herself and society in a deconstructive manner, "demasking" pretrnsions, becoming aware of his/her culture self in history, and accelerating the process of self-consciousness (p.24)


3. Use the table on pages 47 and 48 in your ALVC handbook to summarize the list of the features of Post-Modernity

Post-Modernity shattered the utopian ideals of Modernity. It was a reaction against Modernity. It includes a belief in social Pluralism and the individual view or construction of reality. Those with a Post-Modern ideology believe in expressing their own thoughts and perceptions about philosophy, literature, social sciences, architecture and reality. Post modernity has many theories and beliefs, ‘no one grand narrative.’


Use this summary to answer the next two questions.
4. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994)
in order to say what features of the work could be considered Post-Modern.

'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994), Ai Weiwei

 

Ai Weiwei dropping a Han Dynast Urn.

As we can see from his work, the Han Dynasty Urn is an old traditional Chinese pot which added modern logo "Coca-Cola". The contrast he made that related to the features of summize the work could be considered Post-Modern because Postmodernism is a philosophical movement away from the viewpoint of modernism. Like I mentioned Postmodern is of course composed by two parts "post" and "modern".

By painting the Coca-Cola logo on a purportedly ancient pot (Coca-Cola Vase), Ai Wei Wei is discussing capitalism and the recent invasion of American values, companies and methods into China’s ancient culture, with incredible economy of means. Yet China’s ancient culture is no more. It has been transformed first by homegrown Communism. So the label may be on a Chinese capitalist product, Either way, our cultures, for all their differences, are amalgamating before our eyes. In my opinion he challenges society’s values and priorities with his work, give viewers visual impact. 

6. Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist
to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from question 3.)



'Flower Riot', Banksy





Los Angeles (2008), Banksy



Banksy is an England-based graffiti artist. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine irreverent dark humor with graffiti done in a distinctive stenciling technique. His work Los Angeles and Mona Lisa were a reaction against Modernity, it created a new feeling and endow with a belief in social Pluralism and the individual view or construction of reality. 





Reference:

http://theworldsbestever.com/2008/02/new_banksy_pieces_surface_in_l.php

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/03/11/how-china-conquered-the-art-world.html

http://www.theartblog.org/2010/03/clay-shows-begin-ai-weiwei-at-arcadia-bodies-at-the-mutter/