Is Postmodernism a continuation or critique of Modernism ? Postmodernism can be seen as both a continuation and critique of modernism. The difficulty in presiding between a continuation and a critique is that postmodernism , as with modernism, has a scope wider than the arts alone. To answer the question accurately one must consider important factors such as culture and historical periodising amongst a whole host of things. Postmodernism is really up for debate here if we breakdown the question. I will give a general outline of the main aspects of modernism which I feel is relevant to the task at hand. An historical low-down of modernism would not help to answer the question as some aspects are less important than others. The same could be said of postmodernism but to a lesser extent as it is the main focus of the essay. I will again be pinpointing specific factors which I will contrast and compare in trying to arrive at a sound judgement within my conclusion.
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Oil on Canvas (244 x 23...
Pablo Picasso, Three Musicians (1921), Museum of M...
Campbell's Soup Cans by Andy Warhol, 1962. Display...It is then important to have a clear idea of what the term 'modernism' actually entails.
Modernism was the precursor to postmodernism so it is the logical starting point. There are three area's in which it's thought 'the modern world and it's culture has tended to revolve. ' (1) Modernisation is the first area which refers to a range of technological , economic and political processes associated with the industrial revolution and it's aftermath. The second, modernity, to social conditions and modes of experience that are seen as effects of these processes. However, modernism can fall into two categories. Most obviously would be a kind of dictionary definition of having modern tendencies, thoughts and being up-to-date. At the same time it implies a type of response to the notions of modernisation and modernity...