Amy Benck
SOC 385
Blog #8: Viewing Art through a Post-Modernist vs. Materialist Lens
For my blog this week, I take a closer look at the idea of understanding ‘post-modern,’ specifically through the lens of art. To do this, I interviewed my close friend, Lauren B, another UIC senior majoring in Sociology and Gender & Women’s studies, about her own artwork, because I understood it as post-modern according to the understandings we learned in class; it is a new way of thinking—it is not normally what people consider art, but rather a hobby or craft, is intended to send a message to those viewing it, and it certainly refers back to what is considered traditional. I find it interesting that Lauren does not view her own artwork as post-modern, yet by the explanations/ responses she gives about her own understanding(s) of post-modern, I definitely would. I view her work as using something ‘old’ or ‘traditional’ to make a ‘new’ statement relevant to current time, regarding the devaluation of women’s craft work. Our interview script follows below, with Lauren’s responses in italics. (Also attached is a photo of Lauren’s artwork).
In class we defined post-modern as referring to the cultural products that differ from previous products, a new historical period, and a new way of thinking. Do you agree with this? What is your own personal understanding of post-modern?
My personal understanding of post-modernism is a blending of old and new ideas to create something different. Maybe this is not the social theory definition though. I also understand post-modernism as focusing on ideas and “social constructions” rather than material reality. For example, post-modern feminists might understand gender as a performance, while materialist feminists focus on more tangible aspects of gender such as the household division of labor.
What makes some art "post-modern"? Is it the identification of such by the artists themselves, some characteristic in the art, or something else?
Interesting question. I think post-modern is a cool label that people like to throw around. Like “look at this art, it’s so post-modern”. But that doesn’t mean it’s an entirely useless term. I think it can help artists understand their own art or help an audience understand what an artist might be doing with his or her work. I generally think of post-modern art as (like your definition) something new and inventive, but also maybe just tweaks an old style into something unusual to make a statement.
Describe your art. What is it? Does it have a title?
My recent yarn art contribution for UIC SJI pop up just art space (social justice institute) is untitled. It consists of 4 small textiles and 1 3D object that I crocheted/knitted by hand. It is inspired by the yarnbomb street art movement which involves covering public spaces with knitted or crochet yarn pieces.
What was your original intention for creating your art?
I wanted to challenge the exclusion of “craft” from the realm of the arts. I feel that this separation between art and craft represents how the labor and intellectual contributions of women, people of color, and working people is systematically undervalued by society. Perhaps “women’s work” like knitting and sewing is associated to the devaluation of women’s labor, but for me these oppressions are linked and I’m trying to point that out here.
If someone with an art degree paints or sculpts something it’s artistic, but if a woman spends 15 hours making a blanket, it’s “cute”.
Would you define your art as post-modern? Why or why not?
Post-modern is definitely not how I would define my art, but I like leaving it open to interpretation. If it fits your definition of post-modern, maybe it is and that’s fine with me.
It is interesting to me that you would ask this, because I consider this work a kind of “materialist” project. A lot of political art represents ideas and feelings, which is important, but I wanted my art to make people think about material realities and domestic labor. I want people to see the beauty and importance of craft skills.
If you do not understand your art as post-modern, how do you understand it? In other words, how would you label it, if not post-modern? What do you think is 'missing' from it that would make it post-modern? What do you think you would do to make it post-modern? Would you add to it, subtract from it, modify it?
If I had to label my art based on my inspiration for it, I would say it is an attempt at materialist feminist art. I’m not sure what I would have to do to make it post-modern. Because in a way, I am using something old (traditional craft skills) and making something new out of it, which is my own definition of post-modern. But I feel like the fact that I had to make these pieces using skills that I’ve had since my childhood that I learned from my grandmother makes it somehow different. Perhaps if I used yarn to make art without actually knitting or crocheting it myself that would make it more post-modern because then it would be rooted more in ideas than labor. I would have to hear some other people’s thoughts on it. It would be kind of hilarious (and ironic?) if I made these pieces trying to challenge the discourse of ideas with a materialist perspective and people wind up seeing it as post-modern!
SOC 385
Blog #8: Viewing Art through a Post-Modernist vs. Materialist Lens
For my blog this week, I take a closer look at the idea of understanding ‘post-modern,’ specifically through the lens of art. To do this, I interviewed my close friend, Lauren B, another UIC senior majoring in Sociology and Gender & Women’s studies, about her own artwork, because I understood it as post-modern according to the understandings we learned in class; it is a new way of thinking—it is not normally what people consider art, but rather a hobby or craft, is intended to send a message to those viewing it, and it certainly refers back to what is considered traditional. I find it interesting that Lauren does not view her own artwork as post-modern, yet by the explanations/ responses she gives about her own understanding(s) of post-modern, I definitely would. I view her work as using something ‘old’ or ‘traditional’ to make a ‘new’ statement relevant to current time, regarding the devaluation of women’s craft work. Our interview script follows below, with Lauren’s responses in italics. (Also attached is a photo of Lauren’s artwork).
In class we defined post-modern as referring to the cultural products that differ from previous products, a new historical period, and a new way of thinking. Do you agree with this? What is your own personal understanding of post-modern?
My personal understanding of post-modernism is a blending of old and new ideas to create something different. Maybe this is not the social theory definition though. I also understand post-modernism as focusing on ideas and “social constructions” rather than material reality. For example, post-modern feminists might understand gender as a performance, while materialist feminists focus on more tangible aspects of gender such as the household division of labor.
What makes some art "post-modern"? Is it the identification of such by the artists themselves, some characteristic in the art, or something else?
Interesting question. I think post-modern is a cool label that people like to throw around. Like “look at this art, it’s so post-modern”. But that doesn’t mean it’s an entirely useless term. I think it can help artists understand their own art or help an audience understand what an artist might be doing with his or her work. I generally think of post-modern art as (like your definition) something new and inventive, but also maybe just tweaks an old style into something unusual to make a statement.
Describe your art. What is it? Does it have a title?
My recent yarn art contribution for UIC SJI pop up just art space (social justice institute) is untitled. It consists of 4 small textiles and 1 3D object that I crocheted/knitted by hand. It is inspired by the yarnbomb street art movement which involves covering public spaces with knitted or crochet yarn pieces.
What was your original intention for creating your art?
I wanted to challenge the exclusion of “craft” from the realm of the arts. I feel that this separation between art and craft represents how the labor and intellectual contributions of women, people of color, and working people is systematically undervalued by society. Perhaps “women’s work” like knitting and sewing is associated to the devaluation of women’s labor, but for me these oppressions are linked and I’m trying to point that out here.
If someone with an art degree paints or sculpts something it’s artistic, but if a woman spends 15 hours making a blanket, it’s “cute”.
Would you define your art as post-modern? Why or why not?
Post-modern is definitely not how I would define my art, but I like leaving it open to interpretation. If it fits your definition of post-modern, maybe it is and that’s fine with me.
It is interesting to me that you would ask this, because I consider this work a kind of “materialist” project. A lot of political art represents ideas and feelings, which is important, but I wanted my art to make people think about material realities and domestic labor. I want people to see the beauty and importance of craft skills.
If you do not understand your art as post-modern, how do you understand it? In other words, how would you label it, if not post-modern? What do you think is 'missing' from it that would make it post-modern? What do you think you would do to make it post-modern? Would you add to it, subtract from it, modify it?
If I had to label my art based on my inspiration for it, I would say it is an attempt at materialist feminist art. I’m not sure what I would have to do to make it post-modern. Because in a way, I am using something old (traditional craft skills) and making something new out of it, which is my own definition of post-modern. But I feel like the fact that I had to make these pieces using skills that I’ve had since my childhood that I learned from my grandmother makes it somehow different. Perhaps if I used yarn to make art without actually knitting or crocheting it myself that would make it more post-modern because then it would be rooted more in ideas than labor. I would have to hear some other people’s thoughts on it. It would be kind of hilarious (and ironic?) if I made these pieces trying to challenge the discourse of ideas with a materialist perspective and people wind up seeing it as post-modern!