What is Post-Modernism?

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What is Post-Modernism?

The aim of this essay is to explain how Post-Modernism has influenced our contemporary built environment and explain what other movements have derived from it.

I would argue that Post-Modernism is a worldwide movement in all arts and disciplines. A definition of postmodernism will provide a better understanding of the trend that would show how it is relevant to contemporary culture and important for the future.

Postmodernism became an important movement right after the Second World War, and the movement spread around Europe and North America during the early 20th century.

According to Malpas, S. (2005, p.12) Postmodernism, focus on style and methods of representation, and is often interpreted as a successor to modernism.

Similar to Architecture, postmodernism influenced all kind of art such as: Art, music, theatre, literature, dance and even photography.

In the work of Best, S. and Kellner, D. “Postmodern turn” (1997, p.152) they state that postmodern architecture was a particular reaction to the aesthetics and as they describe “Philosophical assumptions” of the International Style. This is because one believes that the International style was refusing to incorporate the architectural forms of previous generations as if they were trying to detach themselves from the past.

In contrary Best, S. and Kellner, D. (1997, p.153) claim that postmodernism returns to the past to combine and play with different styles, it embraces it for its rich symbolic and stylistic sources.

In contrast to modernism, which rejects history. Postmodernist retuned to the past because they believed that we shouldn’t forget about our past, especially with what happen during the Second World War. So architects believe...

... middle of paper ...

... If they try to sort out problems within the form of the building there it a chance that certain parts of the building with have no function, or the other way round. If they try to solve the problem of certain function in the building, then there is a chance that the form or the build might not have a standard form.

He continues by stating, “ we know longer argue the precedence of form or function, we cannot deny their interdependence”.

Complexity of a program has often accompanied simplicity of form like early Le Corbusier. More recent explanation for the simplicity in architecture, are various expansions of Mies Van der Rohe, contradictory “Less is more”. In response to Mies van der Rohe’s famous proclamation, Venturi replied: “Less is a bore.”

Above all, Copeland (1983, p.39) claims Venturi pits himself against the modernists’ obsession with purity.

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