While I personally do not think of myself as an art or architecture aficionado, I still enjoyed reading Jencks’s piece on postmodernism. After listing a multitude of “new rules,” the theorist delved into something that seems obvious, yet was something I had not acknowledged prior. Under the eleventh canon, Jencks referenced the first usage of “post modernism” in the 1940s and 1950s: “Postmodern meant a culture that was post-Western and post-Christian: a culture that had a strong sense of its departure point but no clear sense of destination” (p. 293). He then goes on to say that cultural roots and values are embedded within society and cannot disappear easily (which could explain our nostalgia). While this should be a clear statement to most, it was more of an “aha” moment for myself. Much like our previous readings on linguistics, culture (including art and architecture) cannot exist without previous ideas and fundamentals.
In essence, post-modernism is characterized by a sense of “return” and double-coding to allow for culture to have balance in both the past and present. For Jencks, this harmony is defined as “urbane urbanism,” or “proper balance between essential elements instead of one set of dualities” (p. 285). While we strive to progress in various aspects of our society, we also long for the past. As a result, Jecks argues that the best post-modern art/architecture possesses a proper balance of the two desires.
Ultimately, after last week’s classes and reading Jenck’s piece for tomorrow, I feel like I am grasping the content MUCH BETTER. I find it intriguing to study new concepts — especially these theories — because they allow for me to view life from a different scope. I genuinely wonder (and look forward to) how art and architecture will advance in the future. Which current aspect of our culture will be viewed with nostalgia later?
In essence, post-modernism is characterized by a sense of “return” and double-coding to allow for culture to have balance in both the past and present. For Jencks, this harmony is defined as “urbane urbanism,” or “proper balance between essential elements instead of one set of dualities” (p. 285). While we strive to progress in various aspects of our society, we also long for the past. As a result, Jecks argues that the best post-modern art/architecture possesses a proper balance of the two desires.
Ultimately, after last week’s classes and reading Jenck’s piece for tomorrow, I feel like I am grasping the content MUCH BETTER. I find it intriguing to study new concepts — especially these theories — because they allow for me to view life from a different scope. I genuinely wonder (and look forward to) how art and architecture will advance in the future. Which current aspect of our culture will be viewed with nostalgia later?
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