Presentation Data

Presentation Outline

Speech topic: Contemporary Postmodernism

Purpose: To explore and explain postmodernism as a credible art form; discussing it’s usefulness in the art industry.

I. Introduction:

A. Statement of Topic: Of all the periods in art, the one we are currently in provides the most questionable and least liked of all artwork every produced. Why then are artist still sticking with it? And what does this mean for everyone else?

B. Signpost/Preview

a. Transition: The following three points help to explain why postmodernism is so highly misunderstood, how it effects everyone, and why artists are maintaining their hold on this paradoxical concept.

II. Body:

A. First Main Point: Postmodernism definition

i. Webster: “a late 20^th century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism that represents a departure from modernism and has at its heart a general distrust of grand theories and ideologies as well as a problematic relationship with any notion of ‘art’.”

a. Transition: by definition, postmodernism is in a sense the “anti-art” in response to the exploration that took place during the modernist period. The idea that art is everything and everything is art, crosses art into advertisements, the media, and virtually everything that surrounds us.

B. Second Main Point: Postmodernism is the spawn of design

Elements and principle of design discussion & abstraction

i. Interview data from professors as evidence

ii. “Product Placement” – Christopher Townsend

a. Transition: Due to the design elements which fuel postmodernism, traditional visual artists (painters, drawers, sculptors, photographers) gain greater insight and practice into their craft.

C. Third Main Point: Postmodernistic/contemporary practices by artists help them to develop their skills.

i. Personal experience- provide visuals of my work to demonstrate this idea

ii. Interview data from professors as evidence

Transition: With these points in mind, (continue on to conclusion)

III. Conclusion:

[and] in spite of its seemingly paradoxical nature, postmodernism has its advantages and is no doubt leaving its mark upon the world. (summarize previous points and re-explain why this is good for contemporary artists)

My research into this subject is primarily via what I have learned by way of interview from my professors, and the experience that I have personally gained by taking part in the postmodernist era for art. I plan to use these experiences in the speech and provide examples of my own work to help demonstrate how this strange, "non conformist" era is a help to artists in mastering style and aesthetics. I also have quotes from professors and some scholarly information that I plan to use to back up my claims.

"Blunders"

Having been raised as a Latter Day Saint for the entirety of my life, I've experienced all sorts of "blunders," both on the receiving and dishing out end. It was especially difficult when I was younger, particularly my late elementary years. At a very young age, mormon children are taught to stand up for what they believe in, and unfortunately perhaps without the tactfulness gained with experience in sharing religious views. I had the unfortunate mishap of offending one of my Catholic friends by denouncing her beliefs, trying desperately to explain my own. It had not occurred to me until after she broke out in tears and would no longer talk to me, that I had handled the situation poorly. We were able to overcome the problem, resolving it over a game of lightning at the park, and I learned the dangers of imposing religious views on others very early. Since then I have tried to open minded, and less easily upset by the beliefs of others.

The most recent blunder provided in a public sphere that really comes to mind is the incident in which the Ohio Republicans cracked "birther" jokes about President Obama, questioning his citizenship status. Simply because he is black -- and a Democrat at that -- automatically puts Obama in question with a lot of people. As such a prominent figure with a great deal of power, Obama is subject to all sorts of objections and snide remarks, however I think that it's disgusting and unfair to judge a man and his citizenship based on the color of his skin and his ideology. Which brings about an interesting but not new type of discrimination, based upon one's chosen ideology. Grand assumptions are made about members of both parties, and those who declare independent take criticisms from both sides. The political war has been waging since parties emerged, and every party has had a number of stereotypes over the years. I find it interesting that when covering stereotypes that should be avoided (gender, ethnicity, age, etc.), political views are not included in the list. Perhaps political parties exist simply to alienate each other? Or maybe for many it doesn't read as discriminatory. However I've witnessed the rift it's caused in my own family, and I feel that politics is something that ought to be approached as tactfully as religion is.

Advertisements: Not so Effective

Although the images uses repetition of color, as well as the complimentary blue/orange from effect, the advertisement itself is lacking in communication of purpose. The implication exists, but the ad would be more effective with some kind of catchy heading about what Gatorade does for the body, or how it helps with athleticism. As it right now, the add seems to be more like a spoof than a serious selling point.

Whoever designed this sunglasses ad had too much fun with photoshop. The purple wash/monochrome style masks the sunglasses in the image, making them not as prominent as the heart and polka-dot pattern. The hierarchy of purpose is therefore destroyed.

Also, the very little text that appears here -being the only contributing acknowledgement that it is in fact a sunglasses advertisement- is difficult to understand. Once again, the hierarchy is not prominent enough to determine which part of the text should be read first.

It would be more effective if it either read in a standard left to right, or if the "50% Off" stood out and was the first thing the viewer noticed.

Advertisements: Effective

Of all advertisements, Apple has some of the most vibrant, and most understated yet effective ones. The unmistakable iPod dancing silhouettes epitomize this fact, as the imagery says it all. Plug in and prepare for fun. Their vibrant color against the black makes them pop, adding to the meaning they convey. They are unmistakable and easily relatable as almost everyone has some generation of the iPod. It's popularity therefore contributes to it's success.

In this advertisement, Windows implies their breakthrough against barriers with a bold headline and a strong visual to match. Color plays it's part in the add, giving off a stark contrast between the black and white. The only color appears through the "window" symbol in the visual, implying it's escape from the mundane grey of the room.

This iPhone advertisement sticks with Apple's usual tactic of imagery over text. However, it maintains it's effectiveness, providing a primary image, the purpose of which is backed up by an appropriately connected text concept. "Touching is believing" compliments the large image used to draw in the viewer.