Post-modernism theory of visual artists - Book Report/Review Example

Post-Modernism Theory of Visual Arts After WWII, there have been controversies about the certainty of knowledge with academicians thinking more about the nature of reality. These controversial thoughts are included in the postmodernism theory, which denounces modernism and deconstructs knowledge. The essay discusses the distinctive view of language in a postmodernist approach and how it frames the conception of visual arts such as photography and film making. Postmodernists have led to the birth of new linguistic styles, which have changed the nature of visual arts completely.

Deconstruction is based on the relationship of the different linguistic frameworks and the world. In particular, postmodernist-deconstructive approach to language ascertains that the meaning of words cannot be the mirror of the world (Butler 13). The truth itself is seen as a cultural/social construct that differs from an individual to another. In other words, reality is relative to different people with distinct intellectual frameworks of judging the world. Unlike, the known approach to language, postmodernists uses sceptical arguments, which denounces the certainty of knowledge.

It is evident that there is recent trend in interpreting the meaning of words based on one’s judgement and worldviews. Postmodernism explains language as a system of words arranged hierarchically with some parts being privileged over the others. The central argument in explaining language as a system is the nature of linguistic systems earlier constructed, but, has defects in giving the real meaning of the world and at the same time linking the language to reality (Butler 15). The deconstructive approach is different from the modernistic perspectives in that the former critically considers the conceptions of language and whether language is socially/culturally constructed or not.

Postmodernists argue that whenever we talk of something we are caught up within dominant linguistic systems such as French and English. These different linguistic systems consist of interdependent parts which hinders the audience from linking with the world of external reality. The postmodernist perspective views language or meaning of words as cultural and social constructs of the predominant linguistic frameworks that do not allow influx of ideas. Postmodernist approach to language and other humanities has brought about liberation of the way people think and view world issues.

Using this play of language the audience of texts (language) can, therefore, describe the world and knowledge correctly. This would be achieved when learners think of the particular linguistic systems as more interdependent, disregard the privileged concepts as well as the hierarchies used to order them (Butler 20). In this way, people can link their perceptions and view the world of reality without depending on the known and probably biased linguistic systems. Postmodernist view on language wasn’t familiar to me in that I thought the texts on the media reflect the reality of the world.

The distinctive view of language using the postmodernism theory brings forth the idea of the conceptions of visual arts. The sceptical arguments in the theory imply that the reality should be deconstructed to build more correct and truthful views of the world. Postmodernism clearly explains the modern trend in visual arts such as photography and filmmaking where artists are presenting hyper-reality texts and videos in the media. These texts apply the modernistic approach to cover up the original reality of texts and images.

It is evident that post modernism is ending the nature of reality and building up new conceptions of language and visual arts. Works Cited Butler, Christopher. Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print.