Some theorists assert that the 20^th century can be classified into two significant periods which are the modernism and postmodernism eras. Postmodernism emerged following the Second World War after the modernism era of the late 1800s. Postmodernism was seen to a reaction of modernism and both movements shaped society, culture, literature, architecture and art. While postmodernism has been argued to be a reaction to modernism, there are evident disparities in the ways of thinking that resulted in the movements. Modernism is termed as the cultural movements that were experienced in the early 20^th century and late 19^th century that was characterized by a significant change in human intellect and though as people sought developments using the environment. While postmodernism refers to the period after the 1970s and 1960s, the height of modernism was in the 1960s.  Conversely, postmodernism is defined as the reaction to modernism that was shaped by the dissatisfaction experienced during the Second World War. It referred to the lack of a single hierarchy and saw a significant development in culture, economy, and society. As expected, there are apparent differences between modernism and postmodernism art as a form of expression.

It can be understood that modernism in art is a rejection of the traditions of the Victorian period and a study of real-life issues and industrial age issues. Modernism art is seen to be a rejection of the past that employs experimentation. The change during this period can be attributed to the freedoms that were enjoyed by artists in the past decades. In the 1800s, painters were instructed by a patron to work on a specific piece. However, a high number of artists worked on the subjects that they desired. During the same period, psychology underwent major developments that focused on human experiences that inspired visual arts. The advancements in technology created new techniques and material in art. For example, printing advancements in the late 1800s resulted in improved public knowledge about art and paved the way for experimentation in the field.

Impressionism is regarded as the first movement in modern art that was introduced in 1874. Claude Monet is one of the most notable artists of the modernist era that used light and bold brush strokes that were different from what was used in the previous period. It can be understood that by concentrating on modern scenes, impressionists rejected the classical subject matter. Post-modernism took the experimental approach that was begun by impressionism. On the other hand, the Dada movement advanced experimentation by disregarding traditional skill and launching a rebellion that supported absurdity. The ideas of Dadaists were first publicized in 1915, and the movement officiated in 1918. The changes that took place in this era led to the emergence of modernism. Abstract expressionism is considered to be the peak of modernism.  It moved away from conventional techniques and subjects. It was known for paint splashes and canvasses that are arbitrary and chaotic. The works that were created worked as a documentation of the artist’s thoughts and a definition of the physical movements that are needed to create art.

Post-modernism in the 1970s is often associated with post-structuralism in philosophy. It can be noted that philosophers including Jacques Derrida stated that the elements within the culture are were artificial and this meant that they could be broken down for a better understanding. Postmodern art could, therefore, be best described as adopting an open mind characterized by the use of mechanical processes and atypical materials to achieve an impersonal feel that often used humor. Conceptual art was at the center stage of postmodernism that suggested that the meaning of making art was the most crucial aspect of the process. Additionally, there was a widespread belief that art could take diverse forms and different expressions could be considered as art. In other words, there should be no disparity between commercial art, fine art, low art, and high art.

Postmodernism art that was produced in the 1970s was regarded as being low quality, but it played a crucial role in the field as it paved the way for the acceptance of new methods.  These include process art that emphasized the process of making the work instead of the result. It also included video art and the movements that are associated with minority and feminist art. The other forms are earth art that is based on natural landscapes, installation art that views space as being one unit and performance art.

In the 1980s appropriation became widely practiced by painters such as Keith Haring and Jean-Michael Basquiat that imitated graffiti styles. Carolee Schneeman is of the most notable postmodernism artist that pushed the boundaries of the craft by working on these such as gender, body, and sexuality. Some artists such as Sherrie Levine took the work of others and personalized them. Postmodern art has become less distinct by the type of art and focuses on the contribution made by the artist. Some historians argue that postmodernism ended at the advent of the twenty-first century owing to changes in ideologies and technological advancements resulting in the rise of the post-post-modern era.

Postmodernism art focuses on content while modernism art concentrates on formal and form aspects of the surface. It can be stated that postmodernism reverses the role of surface. Modernism artists take surface as being a key element in their work as it is the platform where individuals fight for freedom and artistic autonomy in a move to gain the freedom to paint using a personal style. Further, they perceived surface to be the beginning and stated that it had a hidden and deep meaning that could be understood by conducting a keen analysis. Conversely, in postmodernism, there is no depth and origin, and surface exists. In modernism art, it is assumed that the ultimate truth and knowledge exist. The contradictions that exist can be addressed using knowledge as the intellectual position goes against the dialogue. On the contrary, postmodernism asserts that a transcendent position does not exist. Further, self-critique and self-knowledge are difficult to attain as there is no going beyond the discourse. Postmodernism states that art is a type of language and information.

In conclusion, postmodernism is without depth and boundless. It is made up of numerous inter-textual references and is de-centered. The consequence is that the audience is confused as they cannot determine the link between the present and the past, where they are leading to cultural confusion. Technological advances co-exist with outdated traditions as well as conventional attitudes. However, it is expected that changes in society will lead to the transition in the post post-modernism era in art.

References

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Eysteinsson, A., 2018. The concept of modernism. Cornell University Press.

Foster, H., Krauss, R., Bois, Y.A., Buchloh, B.H. and Joselit, D., 2004. Art Since 1900:   Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism, Vol. 2-1945 to the Present, 2nd.

Gaggi, S. (2015). Modern/postmodern: A study in twentieth-century arts and ideas. University of   Pennsylvania Press.

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Sandler, I., 2018. Art of the Postmodern Era: from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. Routledge.

Silverman, H.J., 2017. Postmodernism: Philosophy and the arts. Routledge.