Modern Vs. Postmodern

Andrew DeLoach

Modern World History

9-26-05

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word modern as "relating to a recently developed or advanced style, technique, or technology." It also defines the word postmodern as "relating to art, architecture, or literature that reacts against earlier modernist principles, as by reintroducing traditional or classical elements of style or by carrying modernist styles or practices to extremes." However, Oswald Spengler claimed that the subdivision of history into intervals such as "Modern" and "Postmodern" is "an incredibly jejune and meaningless scheme" (Decline 12). He argues that there is no point in time in which a culture switches from one time period to another. For example, there is no defining moment in European history in which the country outgrew its "Mediaeval" period and became "Modern." While there is no denying that cultures evolve and become more developed and advanced, the eras overlap, causing a not so fine line to divide the concept of "Modern" from "Postmodern." In fact, the definitions of modern and postmodern are contradictory. If "modern" is the most recently developed style, technique, or technology, than how can a "postmodern" era exist after it? While the terms may be hard to define, our society has created a set of standards by which we can associate the terms "Modern" and "Postmodern."

The term "Modern" is most commonly associated with music, art, and architecture from post-middle age Europe. As the most developed region of the world, the European techniques, technology, and style were the most advanced and therefore most modern. This time period was characterized by a focus on the individual. Whereas in the Middle Ages, religion was of primary importance, the modern epoch was a time in which humanity flourished. For example, in the middle ages, music such as "An English Lady Mass" and the "Gregorian Chant" focused on biblical, religious messages, wherein no individual can be heard, but merely the group. Yet in modern times, compositions like Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" featured an individual along with a booming melody acknowledging the pleasure of life on Earth. Modernity is an escape from the world ruled by religion. No longer were people governed by the mindset that their purpose was to serve god, but now they were free to live by their own mentality.

While postmodernity transforms modernity into a new cultural era, it is no more an abandonment of modernity than a Sheppard would abandon his flock. While the key concepts and advancements remain the same, ideals have been altered to achieve a more ultimate completion and add purpose to modern principles. For example, in John Cage's "Sonata I for prepared piano," he takes an ordinary piano (symbolic of the key concept of modernity) and modifies it by adding to it new objects to create a unique sound (symbolic of new ideas presented in postmodernity). The word postmodern typically applies to art, architecture, and music. While modernity relied heavily on the concept of the individual and the progression of humanity, in the postmodern era, ideals and values take precedence. For example, in the portrait of Mao, Warhol taints the image, making him appear as if he is a cartoon. The individuality of the painting has definite roots in modernity, yet Warhol's ultimate goal is to create a picture of Mao that reduces him from his esteemed position. Therefore, the term postmodern is the application of modern concepts to portray individual ideals and values.

Modern- Aziogol Lighthouse by Vladimir Schuchov

The Adziogol Lighthouse outside of Kherson, Ukraine, is an excellent example of modern style. The Adziogol Lighthouse was designed by architect Vladimir Schuchov in 1911, under a utilitarian government. Typical of architecture under a utilitarian rule, it is comprised nearly entirely of steel. Yet unlike many architectural works under a utilitarian government, it is very beautiful. From a distance, the steel webbing