'Andre Kertesz Distortion #49 1933'
Jo Spence ' I cant remember my name' Postmodernism and Photography
Definition of postmodernism,
‘Of or relating to art, architecture, or literature that reacts against earlier modernist principles, as by reintroducing traditional or classical elements of style or by carrying modernist styles or practices to extremes.’
To me postmodernism evolved from the modernist period in which in music and art the boundaries were pushed and broken. Artists and photographers no longer wanted to be restricted by the’ rules’ of the art world, you could say. Therefore they become modernist and created new ideas and concepts. Postmodernism is combining old methods of working with modern forms, taking and borrowing. Now there are no limits on what art and photography can do and the boundaries are created by the photographer or artist.
An example a modernist piece would be the work of Andre Kertész whose distortion series went against all the rules of taking a traditional photograph. The photograph that could have been a traditional nude has been transformed to a surreal masterpiece. I really like this photograph as it differs from the work of that era being very traditional. Kertész almost creates a new life form with his distorted photographs and it would have been a surprise to the viewer at the time.
An example of a postmodern piece is the work of Jo Spence who combined black and white film and colour photography in her montage ‘I can’t remember my name’. The film photograph is very classic and In terms of composition it is technically perfect. The colour photographs on the other hand are almost taken like quick snap shots on a disposable camera. I love the contrast and in a way this photograph can be used as an example of how photography has progressed over the years, to having to develop photographs and having them instantly. The colour photographs have a strong link. However they are all taken in different ways be it angles, lighting or point of view this can be linked to postmodernism as the boundaries of what makes a series work. I love how the photographs are set out in no complete order which sums up the art world at the moment, there are no restrictions. Interestingly the only photograph that is straight is the film photograph; this could be a demonstration of modernism and breaking the boundaries of photography. The sentence written over the body ‘how do I begin to take responsibility’ could be a reference to the female figure in the black and white photograph. The title of the photograph ‘ I can’t remember my name ‘ really made me think about what the photograph meant and what it meant to Spence. Again her title could be a reference to the ever changing trends in the art world but I can’t help to think it means something more.
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