Postmodernism

Kurt Vonnegut, known for works like Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions, was a key figure in postmodernist literature and associated with the Beat Generation.

In 1939, the term 'Post-Modernism' was first cited, marking the beginning of a new era in art, literature, and culture.

The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima marked a pivotal moment in history, signifying the transition from modernism to postmodernism due to the realization of instant destruction despite hard work.

The publication of 'Exactitude in Science' in 1946 is a notable event in the realm of postmodernism, emphasizing the importance of precision in scientific endeavors.

In 1947, Arnold J. Toynbee coined the term 'Postmodernism' in his work 'A Study of History', defining it as a period of disruption and irrationality that needed to be addressed.

In 1958, sociologist C. W. Mills introduces the term 'post-modern' to describe a new approach that challenges the traditional ideologies of capitalism and communism.

Daniel Bell, a U.S. sociologist, publishes his book 'The End of Ideology', the first of a trilogy where he argues that western societies are transitioning into a new phase called 'the post-industrial society'.

The novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, published in 1961, reflects on World War II while also foreshadowing the anti-war sentiments that emerged during the Vietnam War. It follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, an Air Force pilot, who views war as sheer madness, condemning the act of war and those responsible for it.

Pale Fire, published in 1962, is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov featuring a foreword by Charles Kinbote. The book consists of a poem titled 'Pale Fire' by John Shade, accompanied by Kinbote's extensive commentary. It is considered one of Nabokov's most postmodern works.

In 1965, Lelie Friedler contributes to the emergence of 'post-modern' literature, reflecting the shifting cultural and literary trends towards postmodernism.

In 1966, architect Robert Venturi published 'Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture', a text that critiqued Modernism and advocated for a revival of historical elements in architectural design, laying the groundwork for the emergence of Postmodernism.

Slaughterhouse-Five, published in 1969, follows the story of WWII soldier Billy Pilgrim who experiences time travel, relives past events, and encounters extraterrestrial beings. The novel delves into themes of war, trauma, and the human experience.

Metafiction emerged as a literary genre in 1970, characterized by self-referentiality and challenging traditional narrative conventions. It often blurs the line between fiction and reality, inviting readers to question the nature of storytelling and authorship.

In 1971, Ihab Hassan wrote 'The Postmodern Turn', challenging previous definitions of postmodernism and proposing a progressive view.

The Pruitt Igoe housing scheme in St Louis, Missouri was demolished, marking the end of the modern world according to architecture critic Charles Jencks.

In 1973, Daniel Bell published 'The Coming of Post-Industrial Society: A Venture in Social Forecasting,' which, along with his previous work 'The End of Ideology: On the Exhaustion of Political Ideas in the Fifties,' suggests the transition of modern societies into a post-industrial knowledge society.

In 1974, Jean Baudrillard's 'The Mirror of Production' was published, marking his departure from Marxism in his writings.

In 1975, French sociologist Alain Touraine's 'The post-industrial society: tomorrow's social history: classes, conflicts and culture in the programmed society' was published in English.

In 1976, Daniel Bell published 'The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism' where he critiques the hyper-individualism and lack of civic responsibility in U.S. society.

Charles Jencks' influential book that discusses the concept of Post-Modern Architecture, emphasizing the idea of double coding and the combination of modern techniques with traditional building.

In 1978, Edward Said published 'Orientalism', a seminal work critiquing Western representations of the Middle East.

Jean-François Lyotard introduced the term 'postmodern' in a philosophical context in his 1979 work 'The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge'. He discussed the transformation of knowledge into information in the computer age and challenged the concept of metanarratives.

Jean Baudrillard's 'Simulacra and Simulation' was released in 1981, exploring the concept of simulacra and the simulation of reality in contemporary society.

Fredric Jameson's 'Postmodernism and Consumer Society' was published in 1983, delving into the relationship between postmodernism and consumer culture.

In 1984, the book 'Order Out of Chaos' by Ilya Prigogine & Isabelle Stengers was published, considered a significant work in postmodern science.

In 1985, Don DeLillo's novel 'White Noise' was released.

In 1986, Peter Goodrich published 'Reading The Law', raising questions about a postmodern approach to law.

In 1987, Ihab Hassan's work 'Toward a Concept of Postmodernism' was published.

Vattimo in 1988 discussed the concept of postmodern antihumanism, which involves a desertion of the modern ideal of self-autonomous freedom and a 'dedivinization' of humanity.

Arthur and David Cook's book 'The Definitive Guide to the Postmodern Scene' is published in 1989.

In 1990, David Harvey's book 'The Condition of Postmodernity' is published. The book provides a Marxist perspective on postmodernism, arguing that it is a specific phase in the evolution of capitalism.

Frederic Jameson's book 'Post-modernism' aims to combine the economic theories of Marxist Ernest Mandel and early works of Baudrillard. Jameson highlights the Bonaventura Hotel in Los Angeles as an example of postmodern architecture that challenges individuals to expand their perceptions and physical boundaries.

Brian McHale's book provides readings of postmodern fiction and discusses contemporary writers labeled as cyberpunk, further exploring the realm of postmodern literature.

Jeanette Winterson's novel 'Written on the Body' was published in 1993.

George Landow's book 'Hyper/Text/Theory' was published in 1994.

In 1996, British literary critic Terry Eagleton published 'The Allusions of Postmodernism', a critique of the ideological foundations of postmodernism, suggesting it as a result of a 'failure of nerve' in certain political circles.

In 1997, Charles Lemert published 'Postmodernism Is Not What You Think', offering a different perspective on postmodernism.

The terms Post-postmodernism and postpoststructuralism were first coined in 2003 to challenge postmodernism. It explores the transition from 'pomo' (cyborgism) to 'popo' (postcyborgism) in the context of cultural and societal changes.

In 2007, Andrew Hoberek noted that declarations of postmodernism's demise have become a critical commonplace. Various theories like performatism, hypermodernity, altermodern, and digimodernism have been proposed to describe culture or society in the aftermath of postmodernism.

The exhibition titled Postmodernism: Style & Subversion 1970 – 1990 was held at the V&A South Kensington from September 24, 2011, to January 15, 2012. It showcased various artworks and designs from the postmodern era.

In 2014, philosophers Theodore Schick and Lewis Vaughn critiqued postmodernist relativism by pointing out the self-contradictory nature of the statement 'No unrestricted universal generalizations are true'. They argued that if relativism is true, it is false.