In today’s article, we will discuss the major similarities and differences between modernism and postmodernism.
Modernism vs Postmodernism
Modernism
is a school of thought that began on or about December 1910. Major changes
occurred in music, art, applied arts, and literature. The dates of modernism are
in dispute, but some theorists believe that modernism flourished before world
war II and was highly inspired by world war I.
In
modernism, the roots of technology and theories mainly changed in the late 19th
century. James Joyce, Ezra Pound, Freud, Marx, Nietzsche, and Darwin belong to
modernism. Some the modernists like James, Ezra, and others transformed the
advances of the visual arts into literature. Moreover, stream of consciousness
became the popular writing standard in this era.
What are the beliefs of the modernists?
There
were two major beliefs of modernists, i.e., Myth and Metropolis.
According
to the modernist motif, the myth is a simplistic way of ordering or
controlling by shaping and giving importance to the immense view of futility,
uselessness, and anarchy.
Metropolis
is declared as an unreal city according to modernists, and it is a city that
was broken in parts due to social pressures and rebuilt through the power of
myth and language.
What were the major influences on modernism?
During
the modernism era, some intellectuals brought different concepts
to modernism. They concluded that darkness, corruption, and anger make
ineffective conventional morality. Rather, they argued in favor of
artificiality and uniqueness and moved one step forward regarding convention
and constraint.
What was dandy in modernism?
In
modernism, the dandy is considered an aesthete focused on refining language,
concerned about physical appearance, and leisurely hobbies. Charles Baudelaire
was one of the modernist influencers who defined dandy as those people who
raised or uplifted attractiveness to a living religion. Bergson, as a
modernist, introduced Creative evolution. He believed that the time of
consciousness is based on multiple interrelated levels. According to him, reality
is a constant state of dynamic in which the past, present, and future are covered as
a continuation of a single unit.
Architecture in Modernism
Architecture
in modernism was changed during modernism. The architects of modernism
emphasized function rather than imitation. Modernist architects believe that
the main function of architecture should provide for specific needs, not copy nature.
Salient features of Modernist Architecture:
1.
They focus on the function rather than imitation
2.
They do not want any sort of heavy ornamentation in architecture. But in little
amount.
3.
They prefer man-made materials
4.
They rejected all traditional styles even though they became a rebellion
against them.
Furniture in modernism:
The
furniture of modernism was usually made of metal and other high-tech materials.
The shape of their furniture is determined by its material and function. They
prefer minimal use of embellishments and the use of basic and important
elements.
Salient features of furniture in modernism.
1.
The color of the furniture in modernism was black, gray, and white.
2.
Less use of style.
3.
Use important elements in it.
Unlike
Postmodernism or post-modernism is a school of thought opposite to modernism. It
deals with fragmentation and unity. According to postmodernism, order and
rationality are neither essential nor possible. It questions the superiority
and sometimes orders. They reject natural reality and say that there is no
existence of “TRUTH.” They also believe that technological and scientific
knowledge is the cause of destruction, and massive killings in World War II is
an example of it.
What is Simulacrum in Post modernism?
The
simulacrum is a system of stimulations. It is a thing that uses representation
in place of reality. According to Jean Baudrillard, one of the postmodernists
who says that the contemporary world is the manifestation of a simulacrum in
which reality was denied by using false images, and due to those false images,
we are unable to differentiate between the real and artificial.
Stages of Simulacrum in Post modernism?
There
are four stages of Simulacrum in Postmodernism. There are different signs in
each stage.
1st
Stage: it represents a basic reality like the paintings of L.S Lowry manifest
the repetitiveness and monotony of life in the mid of 20th century.
2nd
Stage: it highlights the misrepresentation of the reality like the condition of
Liverpool and Hull cities were worse, but the paintings of John Atkinson Grimshaw
showed as glorified and romantic.
3rd
Stage: conceals the fact and does not show the actual reality. Like in the work
by Rene Magritte, a painting was shown beyond the window but did not show the
actual reality.
4th
Stage: In the 4th stage, some signs do not deal with reality. In
other words, they use abstract painting, which did not contain any reality but
merely abstract things, and the paintings of Mark Rothko are the perfect example
of this stage.
What are the demerits of Postmodernism?
Here
are some demerits of Postmodernism:
1.
Neglected social and personal realities.
2.
Doubts regarding culture and its future
3.
arouse the feelings which were lack of insecurity for sustaining the
capitalism.
4.
Delete the peripheral power.
Architecture in Postmodernism:
In
postmodernism, the architecture was unlike modernism. They create innovative
ideas with a combination of traditional styles. The buildings in postmodernism
were full of amusement and even surprising. Apart from that, they use familiar
shapes and designs in unique ways. The structures of postmodernism delight the
viewer as they include some kind of symbol.
Who were the writers of Postmodernism?
Following
were the famous writers of postmodernism.
1.
John Barth
2.
Thomas Pynchon
3.
Donald Barthelme
4.
Norman Mailer
5.
Truman Capote
6.
John Fowles
7.
Margaret Drabble
8.
Doris Lessing.
Is there any poet of postmodernism?
Yes,
there are some poets whose works are related to postmodernism to some extent,
and the poets of postmodernism were John Berryman, John Asberry, and James
Merrill.
Thus,
this was the major difference between modernism and postmodernism regarding
work, structure, and language. Each school of thought has its perception and
keeps importance.
Similarities between Modernism and postmodernism
Along
with differences, there are some similarities between modernism and
postmodernism, which are given below:
1.
They emphasize parody, playfulness, and pastiche
2.
They discarded rigid genre differences.
3.
They gave preference to fragmentation, reflexivity, and obscurity.
4.
They gave importance to the dehumanized and decentered subject.
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