Post modernism literally means ‘after modernism’; strange, because we usually use modern as a word to describe something of the now, new, and fresh. However, this is a case of capitalization; Modernism is a specifically historical period that describes a set of values – enlightenment thinking, emphasis on logic and reason, and that truth can be discovered through progress.

The modern world view leads to different things, like the industrial revolution; it is premised on the value of progress, and that industry and technology can bring us all a different way of life. This is a modern idea. Manifest Destiny is also an example of this ‘modern’ ideology; that by expanding westward, this will bring progress to the nation and the uncharted territory.

Modern art starts with the Romantics; they were the first to shun the academy and paint current events. The Realists are turning their attentions to contemporary life, and the Impressionists seek to be the painters of modern life in both content and form. Greenburg is the epitome of a modern critic with his theory that art follows a mainstream that promotes progress and truth.

Most Post Modern thinkers recognize the value of the Modern view, but they recognize the negatives of progress. For example, while Industrialism brought an overall good, it made life very hard for a large group of people. We now realize that an industrial way of living is destroying the planet. Progress cannot continue running without keeping it in check. There is also not one truth that can be discovered through progress and reason. We live in a far more connected world than our ancestors; it’s important to understand different perspectives. For example, Manifest Destiny constituted progress for the white settlers, but not the indigenous people whose cultures are now almost nonexistent.

In art, Post Modernists challenge the notion there is one truth, one ‘valid’ way to make art or one true aesthetic style or medium. This is called pluralism. There is not just one artist identity. They also challenge Greenburg’s mainstream. Artists start embracing a multitude of different materials, processes, narratives, etc. in their work. This is also the first time that identity politics comes into play – we start seeing more female artists accepted and gain success. Also, art history is reexamined, because it was primarily concerned with white men.

Summed up: basically, anything goes.