Postmodernism refers to a broad set of cultural tendencies, movements and moods that developed in the mid-to-late 20th century and include resistance to universalizing Western thought.
In general terms, postmodernism is an overarching term used to describe an array of developments in culture and society since World War II. These developments include the emergence of new forms of art, architecture, music, literature, science, technology, and social organization which are often grounded in poststructuralist thought.
Postmodernism developed in reaction to modernism in all areas of society: politics, economics, philosophy, art, and culture. The postmodern period began in the 1960s with an era of social change marked by civil rights movements, counterculture, and the Vietnam War.
Postmodern art often takes a critical view of society, especially social institutions such as government, religion, education, and mass media. It has been described as “a period that is skeptical of grand narratives” and “emphasizes pluralism”. The term postmodernism was coined by Jean-François Lyotard in his 1979 book The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge.
Postmodernism emerged as a response to modernism’s emphasis on reason and logic. Modernist artists believed that they could create a new world by breaking away from tradition and innovating through experimentation with form and style. Postmodernists rejected this notion. Their art was more concerned with how society shapes our perception of reality than how we can shape our perceptions through artistic expression.
