The origin of postmodernism

A History of ideology
The Enlightenment (1650-1800) cultural ideology

Romanticism (1750-1850) artistic movement

Realism (1850-1900) artistic movement

Modernism (1880-present) cultural ideology

Postmodernism (1980present) cultural ideology
Enlightenment
(1650-1800)ish
Cultural and political shift
away from the power of
the Catholic church.

Adoption of logic and
reason over superstition
and dogma.

The belief in progress
towards a better society
through rationality.


Romanticism artistic movement
(1750-1850)ish
Reaction against the
cold logic of the
Enlightenment.

The belief in subjective
emotional experience
as a legitimate measure
of value.





Realism (1850-1900)ish
(artistic movement)
Reaction against the
subjectivity of
Romanticism.

Belief in the ability to
objectively observe the
real and faithfully
represent it.


Modernism
(1880-1970)ish
Rejection of traditional realist
ideology.

Advances in science and
technology influence concept of
reality eg atomic science,
Quantum physics, psychoanalysis
etc.

Belief in absolute objective truth
which can be discovered through
scientific inquiry... Eg Theory of
Relativity

Faith in the real or the
authentic


Postmodernism (1970-present)
Very difficult to define!

Rejection of all previous
ideologies especially the idea
of absolute universal truth.

Rejection of metanarratives
such as human progress.

There is no objectivity only
relativism.... In other words,
no media product is of greater
value than the other.
Key Ideas of Postmodernism
There can be no value judgements on any media text or work of art
there is no measure of what is better than what... Anything and everything
is art.

There is no distinction between media representation and reality.

Truth does not exist only perspectives.

There is no absolute originality only the re-working of older ideas.

There is no distinction between high culture(eg opera) and low
culture(eg TV)

Individual identity is fragmented, there is no longer a single unified self,
but composite of the vast array of influences outside of our control.
Characteristics of Postmodern Media
Pastiche
Self-referentiality
Intertextuality
Eclecticism/Bricolage
Hybridity of genre
Hyper-reality/Simulation
Confusion of time and space
Style over substance
Mixing high and low culture
Alienation

Task:
Write a brief definition of
each characteristic of
postmodern media.

Match up examples with
characteristics.

Some examples will match
with several characteristics.