Introduction
The post-modernism era is easier described than defined. One of the postmodernism principles states that there are no definite terms, boundaries, or absolute truth. Therefore, to define the notion would mean a violation of the postmodernist’s premise. In general, the post-modernism era is a term used to denote the number of trends – in the arts, philosophy, religion, technology, and other areas – that deviate from the XX century movement that constituted modernism. The era of postmodernism can be seen as a reaction to modernism.
Description of the post-modernism
The main features in which postmodernism and modernism differ are as follows:
- Modernists tried to establish order, whereas postmodernists strived to live and create within the chaos;
- The order resulted in stability for modernists, postmodernists did not have clear orientations in life and work, the disorientation was common for them;
- Modernism seeks for clarity in everything: forms, meanings, symbols, whereas postmodernism is known for ambiguity;
- Modernists offered answers to various questions, postmodernists offered a lot of questions without giving answers to them;
- As a result, modernist authors found resolution in their works, whereas postmodernism works encouraged conflicts;
- Modernism works are characterized by predictability, whereas post-modernism ones by confusion.
People often claim that now they live in the post-modernism era. The thing is that contemporary society suffers from various conflicts that appear between technology and people between sciences and cultures. People are more concerned with scientific development than moral issues. New and new achievements evoke numerous answers that people of the post-modernism era strive to answer. This all causes mass confusion wherein it is rather difficult to find one’s niche. No only chaos in the political development of societies but chaos in peoples’ minds is present. It is important for modern society not to lose its principles and survive morally in the world so rapidly developing.
The history of the term post-modernism
The term post-modernism was first used in relation to architecture because architects moved away from the plain, “impersonal boxes of concrete, glass, and stele to complex shapes and forms, drawing motifs from the past without regard to their original purpose or function” (What does Postmodernism Mean?). Postmodernism architecture as a movement emerged in the 1950s as a reaction against modern architecture.
It is characterized by the incorporation of historical details in a hybrid rather than a pure style, by the use of decorative elements, by a more personal and exaggerated style, and by references to popular modes of building (The Columbia Encyclopedia 3886). Influential architects of the period are Ricardo Bofill, John Burgee, Terry Farell, Michael Graves, Robert Venturi, Peter Eisenman, and others. The main principle of post-modernism architecture is to allude to the past with multiple associations and meanings. For instance, Charles Willard Moore’s Piazza d’Italia (1978) conveys a lot of elements from the Italian Renaissance and Roman Antiquity. The Sony Building in New York conveys elements of classical antiquity.
Sheth Tower Iris Bay is one of the outstanding examples of post-modernism architecture. No need for ornament, no need for decoration, and simple lines that the building demonstrates empowers one to include the Tower in post-modernist architecture. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay contains a 1,600 seat concert hall and a 2,000 seat theatre. Its space organized according to rationality, objectivity, and progress makes the building a prominent example of post-modern architecture.
Works Cited
“Postmodernism.” The Columbia Encyclopedia. 2007.