A movement from objective or absolute truth to the idea that
truth is subjective and knowledge or appreciation is based on one’s perspective
not absolutes characterizes the Postmodernism era. This movement is a rejection
of traditional absolutes or dogmatism. Postmodernism embraces “lightness” associated
with relativism where anything is accepted and everything is based on
perception and interpretation by the individual. The Postmodernism doctrine by
it’s very nature rejected a true definition and was not a set ideology, but a
movement to break the bonds of pre-conception, and challenge traditionally
accepted practices and truths. This was expressed in many forms including
literature, music, art, and lifestyle. Three excellent expressions of the
ideals of the Postmodernism movement are Andy Warhol’s paintings of the
Campbell’s Soup Cans, Wikipedia, and the book The Unbearable Lightness of
Being by Milan Kundera. Recurring themes in all of these examples are the idea
of Nihilism and Relativism; both major themes of Postmodernism. Another ideal
is the idea of Social Constructivism our interpretation of reality is based on
our social surroundings and the perspective of those around us.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Campbell's Soup Can
In the case of Andy Warhol, his Campbell’s Soup Can
portraits were a prime example of the pop art movement that typified the
Postmodernism ideals. This work of art was done through a process known as silk-screening
and was comprised of thirty-two canvases which each represented a different
flavor of soup (Dorment).
His work was initially rejected by many in the art community as being far to
simplistic and lacking in creative effort or thought (Dorment). It was thought to be a form of art known
as Kitsch, which was generally considered by art purists to be a bastardization
of true art (“Merriam Webster”).
This form of art was viewed as superficial and not requiring the creativity or
talent to understand or create as opposed to “high art.” From a Postmodernism
perspective these were works of art as Warhol created them as he had an appreciation
for the simplicity of the design and the mass appeal of the product. He wanted to demonstrate that art could be
depicted through everyday objects. Warhol also felt a personal association with
the subject as he claimed to have eaten Campbell’s soup every day for years.
The idea of Relativism also plays heavily into his art as the Campbell’s Soup
Can portraits can be appreciated and interpreted subjectively. The idea is that
there is no defined absolute as to what constitutes art, which paves the way
for objective acceptance of Warhol’s pop art.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
The book The Unbearable Lightness of Being also incorporates
a number of similar postmodernism themes to Warhol’s art. The story takes place in Prague and involves
four primary characters Named Tomas, Tereza, Sabina, and Franz. Tomas is a very
successful surgeon who marries Tereza, but continues to have affairs with other
women including Sabina who is a very free spirited artist representing “lightness”
or an openness to experience new things and not be tied down by any
pre-conceived ideas or truths (Corbett).
During the story, the Communist regime is in power in Prague, and is trying to
establish a totalitarian state. The idea of Kitsch is prevalent in the story as
the Communists and the dissident group use simple propaganda and political
doctrines to appeal to the masses. The author Kundera notes that Kitsch is an
aesthetic ideal “in which shit is denied and everyone acts as though it did not
exist” referring to the negative aspects of Communism (Kundera). He provided an
example of politicians kissing babies as the ultimate Kitschy move as it is a
propaganda move designed to appeal to the masses, but has not real truth behind
it. The author is also concerned that a singe political movement could form a totalitarian
Kitsch where personal expression and individuality would be in jeopardy. This
was the concern that a communist government would control the actions,
thoughts, and lives of people eliminating freedom of thought, expression, or
interpretation. In the story the characters of Sabina and Tomas represent the
postmodernist philosophy of relativism and nihilism where there are no
objective truths or boundaries. Even their attitude towards sex and
relationships shows a true feeling that there are no moral truths or intrinsic values (Corbett). Much like Warhol with
his art, these characters reject the concept of objective truth in any form,
and leave everything for subjective interpretation.
Wikipedia
In the case of Wikipedia, the ideals of postmodernism are
clearly found in the nature and substance of the content. Wikipedia is an
informational web site where users can access general and specific information
on almost any topic. The site works by gathering what they refer to as
“consensus-based knowledge” (Potash
62-69), meaning that the site does not claim to provide objective truth,
but a neutral point of view, which can be subject to interpretation by the
individual. The idea of Kitsch can be clearly seen as the site is built upon
information by consensus collected from sources only verified to exist, not to
be credible. As an information source built on subjective input and not
absolute truth, Wikipedia is the ultimate result of postmodernism thinking as
it is an information resource constructed on the ideals of relativism and not
the concept of absolute truth and fact. Like Warhol’s art and The Unbearable
Likeness of Being, Wikipedia promotes and typifies the ideals of
Postmodernism by encouraging the search for objective truth through the
collection of massive amounts of subjective data. All of the information
offered on the site, regardless of the subject matter, is subject to the bias
of those inputting the information and the subjective opinions and
interpretations of those reading the information. The nature of knowledge is such that if
requires factual belief that is obtained through reason, observation, and
testimony of others. As many of the factors that influence knowledge, particularly
testimony of others, are subjective, it is difficult to make an argument for
the existence of objective facts. Some argue that encyclopedic knowledge is
more acccurate than web based knowledge, but in theory they are both prone to
error as both are derived from some subjective opinion and interpretation,
which taints the objectivity with some level of bias.
Conclusion
Many of the ideologies that are part of the postmodernist
movement are evidenced in the three examples provided. There were obvious
advantages and flaws that led to the postmodern era ending. While self-expression
and subjective interpretation may promote individuality, there needs to be some
foundation that allows the individual and society to determine absolute
truths. There is a difference between a
search for meaning as opposed to the immediate dismissal that there is objective
meaning. For society to function properly there needs to be structure and some
type of accepted moral code which need to be objective. The Nihilistic point of view in particular
promotes anarchy and disrespect of others and life. A life with no defined
value, purpose, or meaning does not promote fulfillment for the individual, but
rather a sense of despair. The promotion of subjective truth encourages freethinking
and interpretation, but there are certain absolute truths that need to be
defined and accepted for society to have the necessary structure. People cannot
just drift through life skeptical that there is no meaning to their thought or
actions. Society should embrace the concept of subjective interpretation as it
relates to preserving their individuality, but need some sort of foundation of
objective truth and the meaning of life in order to seek fulfillment.
Sources
11.
Corbett,
Bob. "Webster." The Unbearable Lightness of Being. N.p., Octo.
Web. 3 May 2012.
<http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/personal/reading/kundera-unbearable.html>.
22.
"Andy
Warhol's Campbell’s Soup Can (Tomato), 1962." Christies. N.p., 2010. Web. 3 May 2012.
<http://www.christies.com/features/2010-october-andy-warhol-campbells-soup-can-tomato-1022-1.asp&xgt;.>.
33.
Dorment,
Richard. "What Is an Andy Warhol?" New York Review of Books.
56.16 (2009). Print.
44.
Potash,
Brett. "We live in a Wikiworld. Should our students?" International
Schools Journal. 28.2 (2009): 62-69. Print.
55.
Kundera,
Milan. The Unbearable Lightness of Being. New York: Harper & Row,
Publishers, Inc., 1984. Print.
66.
“Merriam-Webster
Dictionary.". An Enclyclopedia Britannica Company, 2011. Web. 3 May 2012.
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kitsch>.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)