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Postmodernism @ V&A
Postmodernism @ V&A_c0052933_193266.jpg

I tuned into Film 4 by chance last night and found myself reacquainting with the film "Footloose" which was a blockbuster of the 80's. You remember? Kevin Bacon?
That spurred me to book tickets for the Postmodernism exhibition @ V&A.
The Postmodern era was the era I grew up in. The era which left me the most vivid memories of my life. The ambient of the Postmodern is an essential element everytime I recall my youth.
As I lived through it and witnessed it firsthand, I can't help being critical of it.
When I come to describe that particular time in a single word, those followings pop in my head -
lightheartedness, irrelevant, unrestrained, uninhibited & excessive...and so on
The exhibition at V&A covered a broad area of Postmodern culture.
The exhibits kicked off with architecture (Venturi, Isozaki, P. Johnson). Then furniture (Menphis mainly). Finally, rounded off with music (Craftwork, New Order etd) & fashion.
They translated Postmodernism fairly accurately though spared a significant amount of its cringe factor.
Paul was not that bothered about the architecture and disappeared towards the graphic design section quickly. So I wandered around the exhibition alone, listening to the 80's pop music blasting through
my earphones. And it was brilliant! Felt almost like time tripping to my nostalgic 80's.
While Hall & Oates were serenading, I admired excessively decorated teapots.
They seemed the least practical and had a "F**k all to form follows function" kind of attitude.
Postmodernism @ V&A_c0052933_1934273.jpg

The object I was most delighted to encounter was Shiro Kuramata's chair "Miss Blanche".
I saw it once before in Tokyo in the 80's. How strange and wonderful to meet again in London.
I must admit the Postmodern era was a period of excess, physically & metaphorically.
It was over the top in many ways. And the people like me, who actually experienced it, are left feeling a bit embarrassed about it. Llike a hangover after a big party, you know.
However, I have never regretted that I spent my impressionable year in the 80's.
I enjoyed the optimism which was abundant then...
by lovecarrie1 | 2012-01-08 01:16 | Art & Design