Definition

Noun: 1. A late 20th-century movement and style in the arts, architecture, and criticism: Postmodernism is a reaction against the principles and practices of established modernism. It is characterized by a deliberate mixing of different artistic styles and media, self-referentiality, irony, and a skepticism towards grand theories or absolute truths.

Usage

Postmodernism is used as a non-count noun to describe the broad cultural movement, its philosophy, or its aesthetic principles. - It questions the idea of objective reality and universal meaning. - It often involves pastiche, parody, and the blurring of boundaries between 'high' and 'low' culture.

Examples

• The novel's use of fragmented narrative and metafiction is a classic example of postmodernism.
• Postmodernism in architecture often combines traditional design elements with modern materials in unexpected ways.
• Many critics argue that postmodernism challenges the very foundations of how we create and interpret art.

Advanced Usage

• As a critical lens: The term is used in academic discourse to analyze cultural products.
  • A postmodernist reading of the film focuses on its deconstruction of genre conventions.
• The adjective form "postmodern": Used to describe works or ideas characteristic of this movement.
  • The building's eclectic facade is a distinctly postmodern design.

Variants and Related Words

• Postmodern (adjective): Of or relating to postmodernism.
  • postmodern literature, a postmodern philosopher
• Postmodernist (noun/adjective): A person who produces or advocates for postmodern art or ideas; relating to such a person.
  • The postmodernists rejected the notion of artistic purity.
• Postmodernity (noun): The historical period or condition of society said to follow modernity, often associated with the cultural dominance of postmodern ideas.

Synonyms

• Deconstruction (in a specific critical sense)
• Late modernism (in some contexts)
• Post-structuralism (closely related in philosophy and literary theory)

Antonyms

• Modernism
• Classicism
• Realism (in art and literature)

Noun

1. genre of art and literature and especially architecture in reaction against principles and practices of established modernism