What is the difference between modernism and postmodernism in art?
It really has to do with when and why it was made. Modernism was the first time around – circa 1911-1975. Post -Modernism was more recent – and I say was, because it is over, and is a pastiche of ideas and commentary on modernism. Modernism is more about formal visual concerns and post-modernism is about both structure and commentary. A modernist piece will have everything harmonious and sort of pointing to the same conclusion, and post-modernist will be a mixture of elements that seem to mix old and new. I can only think of an example in architecture, but here is one- Frank Lloyd Wright made modernist buildings which were designed down to the last detail with a unified viewpoint. Post-modernism in architecture spawned clunky buildings like malls, where the elements- boxes, arches, angles, textures, patterns, and colours are stacked up like components- they look ‘modern’ but have no cohesive philosophy behind them.
