The definition of
postmodernism is quite broad because it touches on many different things. Postmodernism
is not easily defined. Defining Postmodernism even goes against postmodernism.
A main concept of Postmodernism is that it has no boundaries and truths;
because of this, defining Postmodernism becomes a contradiction to what it
actually is. The struggle to define postmodernism says a lot about
postmodernism. The following quote describes Suzy Gablik's observations about
postmodernism. "Floating images ... maintain
no relationship with anything at all, and meaning becomes detachable like the
keys on a key ring." (S. Gablik) She describes that postmodernism is about
disconnecting relationships with the past or any links that tie art with logic
or theories. This is essentially postmodernism.
The following
quote exemplifies that Postmodernism could partly be defined as innovation.
Postmodernism is essentially against the idea of innovation but postmodernism
was an innovation from modernism. "Indeed the concept of Postmodernism implies
some theory of innovation, renovation, or simply change?" (39)
If
the sentence states that there is no logical purpose to it this shows that the
sentence is not innovative. Postmodernism demonstrates criticism and distaste
towards technology and innovation. This sentence isn't innovative and that
helps to demonstrate Postmodernism. Postmodernism was an innovation from
Modernism, so you could say that the sentence could also demonstrate that it is
innovative to say that it isn't logical when it is already known. "The
Postmodern reply to the modern consists of recognizing that the past, since it
cannot really be destroyed, because its destruction leads to silence, must be
revisited: but with irony, not innocently." (44)
A main
theory to Postmodernism is deconstruction. The sentence structures currently in
use today were developed in the 1870's. Even though postmodernism illustrates
rejection of innovation, it must be understood that sentence structure is an
innovation. Proper sentence structure allows for cooperative communication.
This sentence: "This sentence serves no logical purpose." Displays that although this statement
is not innovative, the structure of the sentence itself is innovative. This exemplifies the major complexity of
Postmodernism: it continually contradicts itself.
To continue to try and
define Postmodernism it often helps to look at what it was innovated from:
Modernism. Modernism as defined by Britannica Encyclopedia is, "in the arts, a radical break with the past and
the concurrent search for new forms of expression." (Britannica.com)
The definition above only defines the art aspect of Modernism. Modernism concepts include: theories
and ideas explain everything, unity of self and individualism, often trust in
faith an investment in opinions, libraries as great source of information. Quite
similar to Postmodernism, Modernism is broad to define. Postmodernism happened
in spite of Modernism. Contrasting Modernism and Postmodernism helps to display
the broad area of topics they both cover.
"This sentence
serves no logical purpose" Is not easily depicted as a Postmodernist statement
but after some picking through. There are certain ways that it can illustrate a
Postmodernism statement. The sentence can be taken many different ways by
different people, because of all of the different ways people would interpret
one sentence it shows the fragmentation and disunity within Postmodernism. Another
concept of Postmodernism is loss of centralized control. If the sentence, "this
sentence serves no logical purpose." Causes different perspectives to rise then
that will affect the unity. It will cause fragmentation and disunity.
When it all comes down to it,
Postmodernism is too broad to define. The parameters are far too many. When
looking to define Postmodernism it can be helpful to also look at Modernism and
see why Postmodernism came about.
Modernism
encouraged the re-examination of every aspect of existence, from commerce to philosophy, with the
goal of finding that which was 'holding back' progress, and replacing it with
new, progressive and therefore better, ways of reaching the same end.
"Postmodernism
is a response, or as some say, an extension of modernism into contemporary
times." (Daire)
Postmodernism
will continue to puzzle and confuse people throughout the ages. If it can be
kept in mind a couple of things: it is broad, it came after modernism came so
Postmodernism is heavily influenced to the concept it is because of the
Modernists.
Postmodernism
will forever be an unsolved mystery.
