1. Only got a minute?
Welcome to your quick, minute guide to postmodernism and postmodern theory. If the subject and theory of postmodernism is
something that has previously worried you, then look no further. This is the five minute guide that will give you an insight into
postmodernism in an easy to understand way. Today, we are going to look at the postmodern theorist, Jean Baudrillard.
Before we begin, I would first like to explain the idea of postmodernism… so that this gentleman’s theory does not just sound like a
load of nonsense. The definition of postmodernism that I like to follow is the easiest one to explain and remember. If something is
postmodern, it comes after the modern period of time. Postmodernism is frequently recognised through art, media, literature and
architecture. If something is postmodern, it pretty much breaks down the laws or standards set by modernists – depriving art forms
of its intended meaning and aesthetic merits. Postmodernism has a range of different factors that can be incorporated into it. Below
is a list of the different factors and their meanings.
Facts:
Nationality – French.
Date of birth – 27 July 1929
Date of death – 6 March 2007
Region of study – Western Philosophy.
University of study – Sorbonne University
Terminology of postmodernism and theorists:
Pastiche – Pastiche is the idea of copying another media text to mock it.
Parody – The action of using pastiche to mock something.
Style over substance - The idea that effects or image is more important than
narrative.
Simulacra – The idea that a copy of something is not a copy, but an original piece
of art in its own right.
Hyper – postmodernism – When postmodern texts are spoken about in
postmodern texts.
Intersexuality – When another media text is referred to in a postmodern text. This
can be pastiche or parody.
Product placement – When a product is shown in a media text to advertise.
