Postmodernism is a very good art-historical framework

May 20, 2007

Type: discussion

Hello All!

I wanted to offer a few more comments before I go off of the list for a
while to focus on other writing projects. I mainly want to say I think
Postmodernism is still very OK, certainly tolerable, not Satanic or pure
evil by any stretch and overall the best period for all or almost all art
and culture to be in for the foreseeable future.

There have been many criticisms of Postmodernism for a long time. Some
people say it encourages tribalism or greivance grouping, or is
relativistic, but it also fosters a low-key togetherness that gradually
ameliorates tribalism. Postmodernism is a very moderate and "big-tent"
art-historical period for both liberals and conservatives to co-exist. It
allows for critique and dissent, while also preserving access to authority
and tradition. It's a non-radical, evolutionary, and variegated
art-historical period.

So, Postmodernism is a good system for different groups and individuals to
talk and interact, but to keep their distinct identies. This is really a
good benefit and shouldn't be downgraded. One could say that Postmodernism
is very pragmatic. It conserves the value of the establishment in all areas
(such as business, politics, academia, religion, culture, museums,
galleries, and popular entertainment) while keeping some skepticism and
leaving a certain "budget" for innovation. During an era of great stresses,
you could say that a versatile and non-extreme art-historical period like
Postmodernism is the best bet and the surest way to protect the future.

Therefore it's likely that Postmodernism should remain the art-historical
period all through the 21st century. I think this may be true and certainly
that society can't evolve without a sustainable establishment, and
Postmodernism is a great framework for an evolutionary establishment. I
don't think that the establishment could convert itself to Networkism at
this time without causing undesirable problems and flare-ups.

In this sense Postmodernism is a lot like Victorianism, but with the change
that it's a Victorianism that may last much loger than actual Victorianism
did. For example, you could say that Postmodernism should be the
intellectual architecture until at least 2100 or 2200, depending on
circumstances. It has a lot of great theorists and philosophical writers to
provide theoretical content, and is also very strong in commerce–heck,
everywhere that a need for an art-historical period exists, Postmodernism
works remarkably well. And let's not take this for granted–without that
vast bulk of things working OK, no superior evolutionary state (assuming
there is or can be one) could ever come into being.

Only minor caveats are in order, I think, when confirming the great and
necessary value of a Postmodernist definition of aesthetic-evolutionary
time. It may be that Postmodernism can't keep its full pragmatism without
creative innovation from outside the establishment. It might need that
aerification, if its very practicality and stability cause a lack in
"inspiration" if you care to express it that way.

Therefore you could say that Networkism is the new art-historical period
because if one doesn't say that, Postmodernism loses some of its good
qualities and the entirety of aesthetic evolution takes a turn for the less
good. But overall Postmodernism is a very good system, and no one should
feel guilty or bad about accepting it and doing work considered very good
from a Postmodernist criterion.

Be cool and have a great springtime!

Sincerely,

Max Herman
The Genius 2000 Network
G2KVFE online at YouTube
www.geocities.com/genius-2000

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PS–here are a couple more songs, but I had trouble with the files and they
turn to static about half way through. I'll be trying to fix this shortly!

http://www.geocities.com/genius-2000/hardevidence2004.wav

http://www.geocities.com/genius-2000/floatinonaboat2004.wav
(on this track, the first section of static is only a second or two and
there's more music after that)

and here's a photo at the great Arc de Triomphe:
http://www.geocities.com/genius-2000/arcdetriomphe2006.jpg

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