Postmodernism in painting is a modern trend in the visual arts, which appeared in the 20th century and is quite popular in Europe and America.
Postmodernism
The very name of this style translates as “after modern”. But so clearly postmodernism can not be perceived. This is not only a direction in art - it is an expression of the human worldview, a state of mind. Postmodernism is a way of expressing oneself. The main features of this style are the opposition to realism, the negation of norms, the use of ready-made forms, as well as irony.
Postmodernism has emerged as a way to counter modernity. The heyday of this style fell on the second half of the twentieth century. The term “postmodernism” was first used in 1917 in an article that criticized Nietzsche’s theory of the superman.
The concepts of postmodernism are as follows:
- This is the result of politics and neoconservative ideology, which are characterized by eclecticism, fetishism.
- Umberto Eco (which will be written below) defined this genre as a mechanism that serves to change one era in culture to another.
- Postmodernism is a way of rethinking the past, since it cannot be destroyed.
- This is a unique period based on a special understanding of the world.
- H. Lethen and S. Suleiman believed that postmodernism cannot be considered an integral artistic phenomenon.
- This is an era whose main feature was the belief that the mind is omnipotent.
Postmodernism in art
For the first time, this style manifested itself in two types of art - postmodernism in painting and in literature. The first notes of this trend appeared in Herman Gasse’s novel “The Steppe Wolf”. This book is a desktop book for representatives of the subculture - hippies. In literature, representatives of the “postmodernism” trend are writers such as: Umberto Eco, Tatyana Tolstaya, Jorge Borges, Victor Pelevin. One of the most famous novels in this style is The Name of the Rose. The author of this book is Umberto Eco. In the art of cinema, the film “Freaks” became the very first film created in the postmodern style. The genre of the film is horror. The most prominent representative of postmodernism in the movie is Quentin Tarantino.
This style does not attempt to create any universal canons. The only value here is the freedom of the creator and the absence of restrictions on self-expression. The main principle of postmodernism is "everything is allowed."
art
Postmodernism in painting of the 20th century proclaimed its main idea - there is no special difference between the copy and the original. Postmodern artists have successfully demonstrated this idea in their paintings - creating them, then rethinking, transforming what has already been created earlier.
Postmodernism in painting arose on the basis of modernism, which once rejected classics, everything was academic, but in the end he himself moved into the category of classical art. Painting has reached a new level. As a result, there was a return to the period preceding modernism.
Russia
Postmodernism in Russian painting flourished in the 90s of the twentieth century. Most clearly in this direction of fine art the artists from the creative group “Svoi” showed themselves:
- A. Menus.
- Hyper-Pupper.
- M. Tkachev.
- Max-Maksutin.
- A. Podobed.
- P. Veshchev.
- S. Nosova.
- D. Dudnik.
- V. Kuznetsov.
- M. Kotlin.
The creative group "OWN" is a single organism, assembled from diverse artists.
Russian postmodernism in painting is fully consistent with the basic principle of this direction.
Artists in this genre
The most famous representatives of postmodernism in painting:
- Joseph Boyce
- Ubaldo Bartolini.
- V. Komar.
- Francesco Clemente.
- A. Melamide.
- Nicola de Maria.
- M. Merz.
- Sandro Kia
- Omar Galliani.
- Carlo Maria Mariani.
- Luigi Ontani.
- Past the Paladino.
Joseph Boyce
This German artist was born in 1921. Joseph Boyce is a vivid representative of the postmodernism trend in painting. The paintings and art objects of this artist seek to exhibit all the museums of contemporary art. Joseph showed his talent for drawing as a child. From an early age he was engaged in painting and music. Repeatedly visited the studio of the artist Achilles Murtgat. While still a schoolboy, J. Boyce read a large number of books on biology, art, medicine and zoology. Since 1939, the future artist combined his studies at school with work in the circus, where he looked after animals. In 1941, after graduation, he volunteered in the Luftwaffe. At first he served as a radio operator, then became the rear gunner on a bomber. During the war, Joseph drew a lot and began to seriously think about the career of the artist. In 1947, J. Boyce entered the Academy of Arts, where he later taught and received the title of professor. In 1974, he opened the Free University, where anyone could go to study without age restrictions and without entrance exams. His painting consisted of watercolors and a lead pin depicting various animals that resembled rock paintings. He was also a sculptor and created in the style of expressionism, custom-sculpted tombstones. Joseph Beuys died in 1986 in Dusseldorf.
Francesco Clemente
Another world-famous representative of the "postmodernism" style in painting is Italian artist Francesco Clemente. He was born in Naples in 1952. The first exhibition of his works took place in Rome, in 1971, he was then 19 years old. The artist traveled a lot, visited Afghanistan, and India. His wife was a theater actress. Francesco Clemente adored India and visited there very often. He was so fond of the culture of this country that he even collaborated with Indian miniaturists and paper craftsmen - he drew miniatures in gouache on handmade paper. The fame was brought to the artist by paintings on which erotic images of often mutilated parts of the human body were depicted; many of his creations were executed by him in very saturated colors. In the early 80s of the twentieth century, he painted a series of oil paintings. In the 90s of the twentieth century, he began to work in a new technique for himself - a wax mural. The works of F. Clemente took part in a large number of exhibitions in different countries. The most convincing of his works are those in which he conveys his own mood, his own torment, fantasies and hobbies. One of his last exhibitions was held in 2011. Francesco Clemente still lives and works in New York, but often visits India.
Sandro Kia
Another Italian artist who represents postmodernism in painting. A photo of one of Sandro Kia's works is shown in this article.
He is not only an artist, he is also a graphic artist and sculptor. Fame came to him in the 80s of the twentieth century. Sandro Kia was born in Italy in 1946. Educated in his hometown, Florence. After studying, he traveled a lot, searched for an ideal place of residence, as a result of his searches in 1970 he began to live in Rome, and in 1980 he moved to New York. Now S. Kia lives now in Miami, then in Rome. The artist's works began to be exhibited both in Italy and in other countries - in the 70s. Sandro Kia has his own artistic language, which is filled with irony. In his works, bright saturated colors. Many of his paintings depict male figures of a heroic appearance. In 2005, the President of Italy awarded Sandro Kia a gold medal for his contribution to the development of culture and art. A huge number of paintings by the artist are in museums in Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Israel, Italy and other countries.
Mimmo Paladino
Italian postmodern artist. Born in the southern part of the country. He graduated from college of art. In the revival of art in the 70s, he played one of the leading roles. He mainly worked in the technique of tempera murals. In 1980, in Venice, his works were first presented at the exhibition, among paintings by other postmodern artists. Among them were such names as Sandro Kia, Nicola de Maria, Francesco Clemente and others. A year later, a personal exhibition of paintings by Mimmo Paladino was organized by the Basel Museum of Art. Then there were a few more personalities in other cities of Italy. In addition to painting, the artist was a sculptor.
He sculpted his first works in 1980. His sculptures gained popularity almost immediately. They were exhibited in London and in Paris in the most prestigious halls. In the 90s, Mimmo created his cycle of 20 white sculptures made in mixed media. The artist received the title of Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in London. Also M. Paladino is the author of the scenery for the theaters of Rome and Argentina. Painting in the life of Mimmo played a leading role.