The purpose of this thesis is to discuss how post-modernism art possesses the possibility to create infinitely various pieces of art through approriation such as parody and pastiche. For this purpose, the difference in approriation in post-modernism c...
The purpose of this thesis is to discuss how post-modernism art possesses the possibility to create infinitely various pieces of art through approriation such as parody and pastiche. For this purpose, the difference in approriation in post-modernism compared to that of its earlier era will be examined based on the general characteristics of post-modernism art and its connection to approriation. Further, based on Linda Hutcheon’s view, the positive aspects of parody and pastiche on post-modernism art will be discussed.
The artists of the so-called modernism era have either been discrete of their borrowing strategies or have merely used such as a method in developing their unique styles, based on the idea that such strategies are in violation of the originality of art. However, artists in the post-modernism era have come to use such methods of borrowing itself as the aim of creating art, thereby allowing the spectator to understand their intentions through this method. This is a strategy to show the absence of new and original form in a modern society where multiple images are produced on a large scale and constantly reproduced through the mass media. This strategy directly attacks the originality of artwork in order to overcome the myth of modernism that pursued originality and character of art.
As we are well aware, parody and pastiche are typical approriation in post-modernism art that re-interprets familiarity among the mass and bestows new value, which shows a changed form of art creation. These two types of methods can be differentiated based on their methodology.
First, parody aims at satire or humor through borrowing a fragment of a famous original art, and the artist would reveal its intentions through the differences with the original artwork by criticizing its authority. On the other hand, while pastiche also applies pre-existing images, it borrows or commingles without modification. It aims to destroy the originality and uniqueness of the pre-existing artwork through similarity of form by destroying its original meaning and creating a new meaning. In other words, while pastiche also criticizes, it is not directed towards the original work but strives to create coincidental new meaning through a combination of images. Linda Hutcheon is considered as post-modernism parody in that pastiche is based on the fundamental essence of parody that creates new text on pre-existing texts, but also reflects the characteristics of a post-modernism era and uses a mixture of imitation.
Meanwhile, parody and pastiche are both criticized as lacking originality and innovativeness in that they both rely on other works of art.
However, according to Hutcheon, parody and pastiche are positive in that they allow us to see the past in new light by placing the pre-existing art or image in a new context. This allows for both the past and present cultures to be revitalized. In addition, parody and pastiche not only combines various genres in a single work of art, but it also expands the scope of artistic experience for the spectator by allowing various viewpoints of a pre-existing image. Especially in the case of pastiche, it allows for the spectators to experience a novel formality by presenting
several images or genres. Further, they tend to criticize the outside world by using the original work, and because the pre-existing images are taken out of their original meaning and interpreted in relation to the various societal and cultural contexts, it allows for the spectators to take a more proactive participatory attitude. This, in effect, brings closer together art, life, artwork and spectators.
In summary, parody and pastiche places various arts or images as objects of challenge and experiment to destruct the concept of uniqueness, and this in turn, may expand themes of art and thereby bring expansion to the scope of uniqueness. In addition, parody and pastiche opens the doors to a possibility of development is new formalities in that one image can overcome its existing limits and reveal infinite potentials.