Postmodernism (LO1)
I decided to look at examples of postmodernist designs, as blending unrelated concepts and breaking rules is in the core of this movement. The exact definition of postmodernism by Oxford Languages is "a late 20-century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents a departure from modernism and is characterised by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions, mixing of different artistic styles and media, and a general distrust of theories." Some of the most known Postmodern designers are Paula Scher, April Greiman, Frank Gehry and Andy Warhol.
Characteristics of Postmodernism (taken from 99designs):
Pluralism: Postmodernism rejects one object truth or way of approaching reality
Anti-formalism: Postmodernism rejects formal art instruction and theory
Nontraditional and mixed media: Collage, video, commercial plastics and interpretative dance all have a place in postmodern art
Deconstruction: Postmodernism breaks down the traditional concepts for how art creates meaning
Self-reference: Postmodernist art often calls attention to its own artifice, usually as a way of questioning the nature of “art”
Irony: Postmodernism mocks artistic conventions by incorporating kitsch and “bad” taste for humor
Brief history:
Postmodernism came from modernism that took place in the early 19th century when modern machinery started developing. Modernists wanted to be clear and simple, showing a new view on the world while postmodernists (from about 1970) aimed to contradict those ideas and escalate the complexity of art (V&A).
Like this lamp designed by an Italian designer Martine Bedin in 1981, that blends contrasting shapes, colours, textures and concepts into one piece. It is a lamp but also a vehicle or maybe a dinosaur-looking object. It serves both practical and aesthetic role.
Another example is this installation, One And Three Chairs, by a conceptual designer, Joseph Kosuth, that challenged the idea of the physical object and made the viewer question their depth of thought and imagination. This piece doesn't just blend two concepts, it goes beyond - it merges the physical and the verbal, bridging the gap between reality and imagination.
Overall, Postmodern design challenges designers to use different styles and question traditional norms. It encourages creative practitioners to experiment with various references and ideas, merging contrasting and unexpected concepts together to create deeper messages.