Modernism vs Postmodernism
Modernism and Postmodernism are two kinds of movements that show certain differences between them. They are two kinds of movements that are based on changes in cultural and social behavior around the world. It is interesting to note that both of them are different periods starting from the 19th and the 20th centuries. These movements came into being as a result of the thinking patterns of the people during those times. Different causes made them think in different ways than they were thinking. Accordingly, aspects of life began to change as the thinking ways began to change. Let us see more information about Modernism and Postmodernism.
What is Modernism?
Modernism relates to a series of cultural movements that took place in the late nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries. These movements include reforming movements in architecture, art, music, literature, and applied arts. Modernism flourished between 1860s and 1940s; preferably till 1945 when World War II ended. During that period, much importance was given to literary works. Also, modernism paid a lot of attention to original works. These works include paintings, sculpture, architecture, and poetry. In fact, during the period of modernism original art was considered primary creations.
Modernism believed in learning from the experiences of the past. When it comes to thinking during modernism, modern thinkers excelled in logical thinking. There was a great input of logic in the thinking of the period of modernism. Thinkers and artists that belonged to the modernist period searched for the abstract truth of life. They were in search of the real meaning of life.
What is Postmodernism?
The postmodernism refers to the confused state of cultural developments that came into existence after modernism. As a matter of fact, the period after 1960s is generally considered postmodern in nature. To be precise, postmodernism is construed as begun after 1968. There is a strong belief that modernism paved the way for postmodernism. In other words, it can be said that postmodernism was triggered by the developments made in modernism and its advocates. However, postmodernism, when compared to modernism, is more complex to understand and appreciate. It is interesting to note that the period after the World War II is normally considered postmodernism oriented in the sense that there were complex developments in the economic, cultural and social conditions around the globe.
Thinking, during the post modern era, was considered irrational and unscientific in its approach. On the other hand, postmodernism did not believe in any abstract truth about life. Moreover, postmodernism did not firmly believe in benefiting from the experiences of the past. In fact, they questioned the authority of textual reading. Unlike modernism, postmodernism did not pay any kind of attention whatsoever to original works. They would dub them as pieces that gained popularity due to propagation. Moreover, due to the advancements made in the field of science and technology and other allied fields, the period of postmodernism saw no absolute truth in original works. It believed more in the creation of applied art and inter-disciplinary studies. Digital media were used extensively to copy the original works of the modernist period during the postmodernism period.
What is the difference between Modernism and Postmodernism?
• Period:
• Modernism flourished between 1860s and 1940s; preferably till 1945 when World War II ended.
• Postmodernism began after modernism. Postmodernism is construed as begun after 1968, to be precise.
• Thinking:
Thinking too differed in modern and postmodern periods.
• Thinking was backed by logic during the period of modernism.
• The thinking of postmodernism period is generally considered irrational and unscientific in its approach.
• Originality of work:
• Modernism paid a lot of attention to original work. When we say original work, this work came from all fields such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and poetry.
• Postmodernism did not give such attention to original work. They considered such work as pieces that gained popularity due to propagation.
• Art:
• During modernism, artists created their pieces following the traditional methods of making art.
• During postmodernism, artist did not follow the traditional methods of making art. They rather used media to increase the speed of the creation of their pieces.
• Gaining knowledge:
• Books were considered the most important way of gaining knowledge during modernism.
• Postmodernism was much dependent on technology, and they considered web, which expanded the limited boundaries of printed media, as a more important way of gaining knowledge.
• Learning from the past:
• Modernism believed in learning from the past experiences.
• Postmodernism did not firmly believe in benefiting from the past experiences. In fact, they questioned the authority of text books.
• Truth about life:
• Modernist wanted to know the real meaning of life and searched for the abstract truth of life.
• Post modernist did not believe in abstract truth of life.
These are the main differences between the two kinds of movements called modernism and postmodernism.
Images Courtesy:
- Alfred Henry Maurer, An Arrangement, 1901 via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
- Postmodern art by user:Petri Krohn (CC BY 2.5)
