Postmodernism

◍ Open on the globe

c. 1966 – 2000 · Whole world · architecture, literature, painting · origin: Philadelphia

Irony and quotation instead of one truth: columns, pediments and games with the viewer

How to recognise it

• Classical pediment or column, cartoonishly simplified
• Bright colours on the facade instead of white and glass
• Cut-off arches and deliberately fake ornament
• Texts that talk to the reader about themselves

Why it emerged

By the 1960s identical glass boxes and failed mass housing had eroded faith in modernism. Robert Venturi replied 'Less is a bore', and architects and writers brought back history, local colour and play — without believing in one correct style.

Examples

Vanna Venturi House1962–1964 · Robert VenturiA split gable and fake arch on its facade make it the first postmodern buildingPortland Building1980–1982 · Michael GravesA 'gift-box' city office with giant pilasters, the first major postmodern office towerAT&T Building (550 Madison Avenue)1978–1984 · Philip Johnson, John BurgeeA skyscraper topped by a Chippendale-style broken pediment, by the co-designer of SeagramPiazza d'Italiac. 1976–1978 · Charles MooreA plaza of neon-lit steel columns and an Italy-shaped fountain: classicism as stage setNeue Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart1979–1984 · James Stirling, Michael WilfordA Schinkel-like stone rotunda beside pink and blue steel railings: Europe's postmodern landmark

More in this style

• c. 1979 If on a winter's night a traveler — Italo Calvino

How it spread

• 1966 Philadelphia
• 1978 New Orleans
• 1980 Venice
• 1982 Portland
• 1984 New York
• 1984 Stuttgart

Meanwhile elsewhere

• Modern architecture (International Style) Whole world
• Socialist realism Eastern Europe & Russia
• Pop art Americas
• Western Desert dot painting Oceania

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