Charles Jencks writes about eleven values that stand out in postmodern art and architecture. The value I connected with the most was the idea of “dissonant beauty” or “disharmonious harmony.” I understood this value to mean the postmodern art went away from what was considered normal and embraced imperfection especially on a social platform. Last year for my final project in CMC 100, I created a documentary centered around the societal beauty standards that are put on women. Throughout the making of my film, I learned so much about what society deemed the ideal women to look and act like. Cosmetic and clothing brands encourage women to want to improve or change themselves to reach an impossible standard of beauty. Women should feel comfortable being themselves without the pressure to change their appearance with makeup or buy just the right outfit. The postmodern idea of dissonant beauty brings the idea that “the universe is evolving” meaning the world is becoming more accepting of people in all forms. The art representing these ideas “has a new social and metaphysical basis.” Art has an impact on people and can help to bring change to the world. I recently watched the documentary, Can Art Stop A Bullet? After viewing this film, I had a new understanding of how art can play a key role in the fight for social justice. It’s a form of communication that can be understood by young and old and can truly bring awareness to social injustices and unfair social standards. Art can lead to acceptance and truly make a difference in how people view other people. Every person on this earth is unique and should not be made to conform to what society deems as “perfect.” I think Jenks would agree. How has art influenced and/or changed how you view yourself or the world around you?
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ReplyDeleteAbbey, I also connected to dissonant beauty or disharmonious harmony. I enjoyed the scientific view that the universe is dynamic and evolving as well. Our universe could not survive if it was stuck in the past. In order to exist, it must adapt to give life to the changing environment. Charles Jencks explains this idea through his comparison of dissonant beauty or disharmonious harmony to the Renaissance. The buildings and sculpture in the Renaissance were well proportioned while postmodernism embraces complexity and richness. Postmodern art and architecture is far more challenging and juxtaposed, which reflects our world to a greater extent. The universe is a mosaic and our art and architecture should embrace that complexity.
ReplyDeleteI love that you connected this to social imperfection and your CMC 100 film. I remember watching that film and relating to the need to fit into the unrealistic beauty standard that society holds. If we all abide by one singular beauty standard--who comes up with that by the way?--then we would all look the same. Just as the “perfect” buildings in the Renaissance, women all looking the same would be lacking the richness of diversity. I feel empowered by the postmodern idea of embracing imperfection and finding excitement in it.
Art has influenced and changed my idea of the world. I find this connection in language. I love the idea of learning about and submerging myself in different cultures. However, English is my native language and I am still learning Spanish. Therefore, language barriers have discouraged me in the past because I felt that I could not truly connect to another culture without knowing the language. However, as I began to appreciate global art in recent years, I have found that art has no language barriers. I can look at art from anywhere in the world and feel a sense of understanding without language present. This idea is so important in understanding the underlying unity of our world.