After ModernismMuch of the art of the first half of the 20th century can be called ‘Modern’. It is characterised by a concern for new ways....
In particular, Post Modernism refers to a style or approach, particularly in architecture, which self-consciously combines a range of different styles. It is derived in part from the writings of twentieth century philosophy (especially French philosophy), in particular those influenced by Marxist theoryA theory of art is intended to contrast with a definition of art. Traditionally, definitions are composed of necessary and sufficient conditions and a single counterexample.... It has generated a whole new range of issues; these include the notion that artArt refers to a diverse range of human intellectual and expressive activities and the outcomes of those activities. Within this context art is further defined... is a redundant concept, and that it is inextricably bound up with hierarchies, elites and repression. In particular, many artistsPeople who are engaged in a broad spectrum of visually led ideas and activities aligned to the expressive arts working within the post-modernist framework, consciously seek to challenge and subvert many of the 20 presuppositions which have been made about the nature of art over the past two centuries. These pre-suppositions include the notions that an art object is made by one person, usually a white male [see DAMP HEMs]; that it is of value as a commodity, and that the viewer needs to be educated and informed (usually by a critic) in order to appreciate it fully. Further to this, if the art work is deemed to be of value (by critics acting on behalf of the art establishment), then it should be in an appropriate setting, i.e. an art gallery or museum, where it will be seen by suitably educated and respectful people for years to come. As a reaction to these notions therefore, we have instances of art works which are made by groups of people, rather than individuals; by minority groups and by women who celebrate their status through their art work; art works which are not meant to last, created from non-traditional materialsThe resources that artists, craftspeople and designers use to create work, to include thread, plastic, stone, wood, clay, paint and paper (or no material at all), displayed in non-reverential places, (ie, not in museum and galleries) and which are conceived as being of no monetary value.