Post-Modernism, Ai Weiwei and Banksy

Ai Wei Wei, Forever Bicycles (2003)

20 Chairs from the Qing dinasty, Ai Weiwei via Zimbio

1. Define Post-Modernism using 8-10 bullet points that include short quotes.
Postmodernism is difficult to define, because to define it would violate the postmodernist's premise that no definite terms, boundaries, or absolute truths exist(philosophy, n.d.). Postmodernism appeared in the 50 s,definition:
(1) Attempted to break through aesthetic category, breaking the boundaries of art and life.
(2) From traditional art, modern arts category of morphology to methodology, to express with art DuoZhong way of thinking.
(3) From emphasizing subjective feelings to turn to the objective world.
(4) In the character and style of ignore or hostility.
(5) The uniqueness of works, ignore disregard for the value of the original works, and to pay attention to the plural of sex and mass production.
(6) From resentment of industry, machinery of the society to the industrial machinery combination.
(7) Advocate art civilian to change, a lot for the mass media.
(8) Diversity.
Postmodernism the surface looks to the second world war is the art of before the negative trend and schools, but fine add research, and in theory, and the trend, schools, so some people think that they are interlinked is will before world war ii of known to perform to choose and appraisal concept, make it a part in the new historical conditions to development.

2. Use a quote by Witcombe (2000) to define the Post-Modern artist.

“The post-modern artist is reflective in that he/she is self-aware and consciously involved in a process of thinking about him/herself and society in a deconstructive manner, ‘damasking’ pretentions, becoming aware of his/her cultural self in history, and accelerating the process of self-consciousness”(AUT University, 2011). 

3. Use the grid on pages 42 and 43 to summarize the list of the features of Post-Modernity.
Post-modernism against all authority and rank, authority and against the idea of power and discourse theory, promotion of open and democratic atmosphere and culture to share, against all monopolies, tyranny and hegemony.
Post-modernism against the center of modernism, against the established pattern.
Modernist emphasis on the human body, and then became a modern body broken in an incomplete image. Particularly opposed to the divine absolutism, and advocate to restore the person of ordinary mortals daily.
Postmodernism advocates diversity, fragmentation, Atheism.
Postmodernism has too much uncertainty
Postmodernism mockery of myths and rational standards.
Post-modern recalled equality, democracy, freedom and cultural sharing, and the situation itself is diverse needs of the modern processes, but completely abolished the authority of words,  the society will become meaningless without rules at all, to create confusion, disorder. Bad taste of anarchy, a secular aesthetic in popular culture as a reference.


4. Use this summary to answer the next two questions.

5. Research Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's 'Han Dynasty Urn with Coca-Cola logo'(1994),in order to say what features of the work are Post-Modern.

Detail Of China Log, 2005, Iron Wood [Tieli Wood]

Han Dynasty Urn With Coca-Cola Logo, 1994, Urn And Paint, Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-8 AD)

Ai Weiwei is one of the China's earliest and most influential avant-garde artists.
Ai Weiwei has a mortal does not have the courage, he questioned the government, the courage to face any authority to use the deconstruction of the traditional way to create a modern art music. He create provocative and subversive photographs, installations and sculptures using found objects and ancient relics. Influenced by Dada, Duchamp and Warhol, he has created playful, inventive and often absurd art works(ARTZINE,n.d.). Ai Weiwei's many works intended to make fun of authority, exposing bureaucracy, authority and tradition of deconstruction - as shattered antique vase, decorated with Coca-Cola trademark a Han Dynasty urn,This is the post-modern characteristics.His work with subversion, the reconstruction of traditional cultural symbols to express the digestion of authority and tradition and neglect.
 
6. Research British artist Banksy's street art, and analyze the following two works by the artist to discuss how each work can be defined at Post-Modern.(Use your list from point 6.)

'Flower riot' Bansky

 'Los Angeles'

Banksy's works have dealt with an array of political and social themes, including anti-War, anti-capitalism, anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, anti-authoritarianism, anarchism, nihilism, and existentialism. Additionally, the components of the human condition that his works commonly critique are greed, poverty, hypocrisy, boredom, despair, absurdity, and alienation. Although Banksy's works usually rely on visual imagery and iconography to put forth his message, he has made several politically related comments in his various books. In summarising his list of "people who should be shot," he listed "Fascist thugs, religious fundamentalists, and people who write lists telling you who should be shot." While facetiously describing his political nature(wikipedia,n.d.).

 'Flower riot' Bansky shows contrasting ideas, here he uses a person who is in a riot throwing a bouquet of flowers instead of something that is usually something that can be harmful and cause damage. The bouquet of flowers symbolises the idea of spreading peace, thus being a sort of irony which is an example of post modern art.

 'Los Angeles'  Bansky was put up a caveman carrying a bone in one hand a tray with a burger, fries, and a milkshake in the other. These reflect a strong contrast to post-modern.He used satire and humor to express.

 

Reference:
                  
philosophy.( n.d.). Retrieved from  http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/postmodernism.htm
AUT University.( 2011). Academic Literacies in Visual Communications 2: Resource Book. New Zealand, Auckland: Lyceum Press
ARTZINE.(n.d.).Retrieved from http://www.artzinechina.com/display_vol_aid109_en.html
wikipedia.(n.d.).Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy