1. A FEW THOUGHTS ON POST MODERNISM
Post Modern Art is a state of being, living somewhere in between the creative plurality of our
senses and the global consumption of the culture it appropriates.
Having been pioneered by the likes of Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and others,
the appropriation of “materials” for aesthetic purposes was a foregone conclusion by the time
our 1970’s post consumer driven society had been established. Since then, appropriation has
been integral to appreciating the post modern art movement. As it was then, and still is today,
the mere act of creating appropriated art and how we so easily relate to it, is also central to its
appreciation.
In a world where we find ourselves more and more technologically isolated, it has never
been more important to connect with “real” objects and the sense inducing emotions as
articulated by art in the post modern era. Unlike the global tethers of our instantaneous
information age society, our connection with post modern art immerses us in an intimate, all
inclusive experience.
Post modern art finds its attraction, and reliance, within a range of common human and
cultural denominators that can translate to understanding by just about everyone. As such, the
cross cultural diversity of post modernism often (not always), requires little or no understanding
of written or verbal language. Further, it is absent of manifestos, dogma, or establishments.
Importantly, None of this is to say that the “experience” in and of itself stands alone.
After all, the visual arts (with exceptions of course), has always been served to the viewer for
their aesthetic enjoyment. The technical mastery of mediums by any given artist is central to
the aesthetic captivation of the viewer. With post modern art, the artist and the viewer’s
experiences are intertwined “in the moment”, further promulgating the “state of being” that
proselytizes a post modern life. As a result, the raw reciprocity between the art and the viewer
becomes a very tangible experience, regardless of narrative. This is the post modern way.