Technological developments
in mass reproduction led to postmodern pop art.
In the second half of the 20th Century, theories of postmodernism began to find popularity in many artistic fields, including film, literature, art and architecture. In general, postmodernism is marked by irony, self-reference, and the idea of the fractured consciousness of the individual. These concepts are closely related to technological developments in the same period, specifically the development of mass media and the proliferation of nuclear weapons throughout the world.
Technological Pessimism
Postmodernism tends to take a pessimistic view of technological developments, especially in regard to communications technology. While modernism viewed technology as a force of progress, the prevalent view in postmodernism is that technology contributes to a fragmented society and destruction. These views emerged in the era following World War II, but were refined by many events, including nuclear disasters like Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl. Other disasters also contributed to this sense of pessimism, including the Challenger disaster.
Fragmented Information
The widespread adoption of television was a major influence on postmodernism, since its presence in homes changed family dynamics and the ways information was transmitted and received. Since information could be transmitted quickly, postmodernism argued that traditional ideas of space and time were no longer valid, an idea that became more entrenched with the development of the 24-hour news cycle and information technologies. The development of television networks also contributed to the decline of regional identities, since many programs were broadcast nationwide.
Postmodern Literature
In literature, both the technological advancements of World War II and the constant stream of media that emerged with the advent of television (and later with the Internet) were two major influences on the development of the postmodern aesthetic. Writers like Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo explore how individual consciousness is fractured by constant fear and excess news coverage, while David Foster Wallace explored media oversaturation and corporate influence in his novel "Infinite Jest."
Postmodern Visual Arts
In visual arts, postmodernism can be viewed as beginning with pop art, which emerged as a reaction to mass production made possible through mechanical reproduction. Artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein were able to create their iconic work because of the increased availability of commercial printing technologies. Other types of postmodern art, such as installation art and multimedia works, emerged from the development of consumer video equipment, recording devices, screens and monitors.
