QUESTION NO.

2:
Post Modernists have often been accused of adopting a superficial approach to
design where drama is created through exaggeration of building elements.
Present with examples of works (buildings and writing) the approach and
contribution of the leading Post Modernists in this context.

SUBMITTED BY:
Ankit Kumar Pal
M. Arch, 1st semester,
DCRUST, Murthal
Postmodernism is a movement which started in late 20th century and influenced art,
literature, cinema, fashion, performing arts and architecture worldwide. The
movement ideologically challenged so called rational ideas and principles presented
by modernists. In general it is the era followed by modernism as the term
‘postmodern’ indicates something after modernism.
Socially and culturally postmodern ideas became very popular and are celebrated till
date. Postmodern ideas became highly popular in arts, photography and cinema as
well as architecture. In short postmodern celebrates everything which has been
ignored in modernism for example, postmodern films glorifies antihero and
preferred a flawed, not so idealistic character as a lead in place of a stereotypical
idealistic hero. Not only cinema, postmodern photography also highlights the
background.
Culturally speaking postmodernism was an outcome of globalization, consumerism
and commodification of knowledge. It is an era where not only product but
promotions and advertisements became more influential and approach shifted to
attract and influence consumers. Basically it suggests the consumer driven approach
in contrary to modern mass production driven approach.

Picture 1: One Subject and a clear Picture 2: One Subject and many
meaning, which is common hidden meanings, avoiding any
characteristics in modern. specific meaning,

A modern photograph A postmodern photograph.

In contemporary culture there is a tendency to accept only objective truth and

postmodernists reject this tendency. This type of thought is actually a departure from
the modernist approaches and this approach is intentional. But in spite of all these
descriptions about postmodernism it is true that this term is indefinable.
General Ideology
The postmodernists rejected the ideas presented by modernists which suggests the
concept of absolute truth. The primary task of postmodernism is to reinterpret the
question- what knowledge is and what can be treated as knowledge. Postmodernists
do not believe any objective existence of reality, truth, value, reason and so forth.
These are, according to them, social construction, creation of linguistic practices. In
no way these are absolute. These are relative to the social groups that share a
narrative and not to any individual being.

POSTMODERN ART AND ARCHITECTURE

“Less is more”
Vs

“Less is bore”
The roots of postmodern ideals in art are instilled in late modern Avant guards which
were active during 1940-50s especially pop art and neo DADA which mark the
beginning of the reaction against the mindset of modern artists and architects who
were driven by radical and forward thinking approach.
"Modernist art" was seen not only as elitist but also as white, male-dominated and
uninterested in minorities. Which is why postmodernism champions art by Third
World, Feminist and Minority artists.
In architecture, postmodernists declared the preceding styles like brutalism,
international style as dull, boring and irresponsive to human senses. Postmodernists
are completely against the ideas presented by Le-Corbusier, one of the most
celebrated architects of modern era, like generalizing the human behavior patterns,
limited human needs and other characteristics defined for so called a ‘modern
progressive man’. Consequently there was a return of drama, wit, colors and
historical references in architecture.
Modern architecture, for example in Farnsworth house by Mies van der Rohe, the
architect ignored the personal choices of client and the client was suggested to live
and function according to the space. In short living habits of clients were governed
by house, the Product, means the product become primary while postmodern ideas
are consumer/user driven. The users’ personal liking, choices activities and functions
are considered, hence postmodern architecture is consumer driven and contextual.

EMERGENCE OF POSTMODERN ARCHITECTURE

Architectural historian and critic Charles Jencks, once stated that Modernism came
to an end at 3:32 pm on 15 July, 1972. This incident came to be known as Death of
Modernism.
This was the moment when the mass housing development of Pruitt - Igoe at St.
Louis, Missouri was demolished. It was the most famous public housing project in
the United States and it was designed by Minoru Yamasaki. Within a few years it
was plagued by vandalism and crime and it came to symbolize the failings of the
Modern Movement.
Another nail in the coffin of Modernism was the publication of Jane Jacobs’ book
The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), a brilliant critique of Modernist
architecture.

CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN ARCHITECTURE

Postmodernist glorifies everything which was ignored in modern styles. It is very
difficult to specify characteristics of postmodern as it is highly diverse and driven
by personal choices. To understand postmodern characteristics we need to
understand modern characteristics as well. Hence, a comparative analysis of modern
and postmodern architecture becomes imperative to understand POMO better.
Postmodern architecture has been often accused by modernists to be Vulgar,
associated with the populist ethics and postmodernist are criticized to adopt a very
superficial approach in design while postmodernist consider modern architecture to
be dull, boring, soulless, overly simplistic and abstract.
 1. Return of Drama, Wit and Colors
Postmodern Vs Modern

 Innovative built forms and weird yet

 Planner Geometrical Shapes
interesting composition of shapes to create
 Dull and boring colors
Drama.
 Predefined color pallets.
 Bright and eye catching colors.
 Minimalistic approach
 Personal choices of colors
 Highlighting building elements through
exaggeration.

2. Return of Historicism and Eclecticism

Postmodern
Literal as well as abstract references are clearly apparent.
 Conscious imitation of Historical
style in abstract form to create
interest and drama. Sometimes it
Top imitates - seems that scale and proportions
Pediment of classical style have been
ignored.

Columns/Orders

Base/ Stylobate
 While Modern Architecture completely opposes the idea any historical
reference and urges to create a very new progressive architecture.

3. An Approach to escape away from Glass Box-like building

Postmodern Vs Modern
 Historical references in
abstract form.
 Conscious Demarcation
level of roofs and base
 Top looks to be inspired
from pediment but it
has been cut at centre.
 Entrance of the building
is semicircular arch and
monumental.

4. Use of sculptures and Highlighting building elements to create surprise

 Use of Sculptures to add

drama.
 Reference in abstract form
 Building elements highlighted
with neon colors.
POSTMODERNIST ARCHITECTS AND FAMOUS BUILDINGS
 Aldo Rossi Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart,
 Charles Moore Germany by James Stirling and
 William Pereira Michael Wilford, 1984.
 Santiago Calatrava
 Cesar Pelli
 Terry Farrell
 Paolo Portoghesi
 Michael Graves
 Antoine Predock Wells Fargo Center in
 Helmut Jahn Minneapolis by César
Pelli. Completed 1988.
 Tomás Taveira
 Jon Jerde
 Robert A.M. Stern
 Philip Johnson
 James Stirling
 Ricardo Legorreta
Messeturm in Frankfurt,
 Robert Venturi Germany by Helmut Jahn.
Completed 1991

Auditorio de Tenerife in
Santa Cruz de Tenerife by
Santiago Calatrava.
Completed 2003

One Detroit Center in

Detroit by John Burgee
and Philip Johnson,
completed
1993.Completed 2003

AT & T
building by
Philip Johnson
CRITICS OF POSTMODERNISM
 Postmodern architecture is often criticized for being superficial in approach
as it seems that postmodern architects could not disassociate it completely
from modern ideas as they claim.

 Most of the postmodern buildings seems to serve modern ideas but with some
seemingly random aesthetic treatments.

 Sources of references are too apparent at times.

HOT DOG STAND, LOS ANGELES

 An attempt to create drama, surprise and wit through exaggeration of building

elements.

Sometimes very dramatically and

awkwardly protruding Ionic and
Doric columns.
 CONTRIBUTING ARCHITECTS: ROBERT VENTURI

 Known as FATHER OF POST MODERNISM in America.

 Won Pritzker in 1991.

 Also worked under Euro Saarinen, and
Louis Kahn.

 Author of two excellent editions-

1. COMPLEXITY AND
CONTRADICTION
2. LEARNING FROM LAS VEGAS.

 Some of his famous buildings include :

1. Vanna Venturi house
2. Seattle art museum
3. Duck and Decorated shed
4. Brant House

Vanna Venturi House: Designed for his mother

Michael Graves

 Michael Graves was an American architect and principal of Michael Graves

and Associates and Michael Graves Design Group.

 He was also professor of architecture at

Princeton University for nearly forty years.

 He was part of New York Five who studied

and explored early modern aesthetic ideas.

 Best Known for projects like –

 Portland Cement Building

 Humana Building

 Denver Public Library

REFERENCES: