Modernism was a cultural movement that has now changed and separated into different areas; literature, architecture, art, music or applied arts. Modernists identified a crisis in economics, politics, society and culture. They believed that not one could answer questions. This was caused by industrialistation (Fordism) which forces humans to abide to "clock time". This led to alienation, the further we get away from our essential nature, the more alienated we are from ourselves and each other (Marx)
Some modernist rebelled against tradition and questioned why it had to be the same, why we couldn't progress.
19th Century Romanticism art emphasied on the emotional, individual subjective experience. The onlooker would be emotionally manipulated by what they saw.
From this came Realsim which focused on the objective truth. Reality was portrayed and was more dominant over subjective impression. The onlooker would have a balanced opinion with no personal attachment being expressed by the artist.
Moral Crisis
At the end of the 19th Century under the influence Darwinism, Marxism and Fordism, some artists & writers began to respond differently to modernity. After WWI people started to question truth and objectivity - due to the production on machines and men to fight under orders.
Modernity is always a response to modernity which is constant - everything is being updated and "improved".
Postmodernism can be seen as a rejection of modernism or a return to earlier forms. Some people stopped believing in anything - religion, truth of politics etc.
Is it a retro fad or just a bit of fun?
I don't think postmodernism will wear out because if it is done right it can be very successful, clever, fun and more interesting to the audience who are used to being a passive mass rather than individual interaction. Play is something that society says you should grow out off by the time you become an adult however most people will want a destraction from everyday life - postmodernism allows the audience to interact and become active in the music video, art, film etc which is becoming more and more available through things like iPads & Smart Phone apps.
Simulacrum is a copy of a copy without an original it is the ulitmate captailist artefact which is completely divorced from nature and reality.
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