THOMPSONSPF10RESEARCH

When asked what altermodern is Nicolas Bourriaud responded, “First, it is an attempt to reexamine our present, by replacing one periodizing tool with another. After 30 years into the ‘aftershock’ of modernism and its mourning, then into the necessary post-colonial reexamination of our cultural frames, ‘Altermodern’ is a word that intends to define the specific modernity according to the specific context we live in – globalization, and its economic, political and cultural conditions. The use of the prefix “alter” means that the historical period defined by postmodernism is coming to an end, and alludes to the local struggles against standardization. The core of this new modernity is, according to me, the experience of wandering — in time, space and mediums. But the definition is far from being complete.”

Bartholomew, Ryan “Altermodern: A Conversation with Nicolas Bourriaud” Art in America International Review. Mar 17 2009.
http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-opinion/conversations/2009-03-17/altermodern-a-conversation-with-nicolas-bourriaud/


"If early twentieth-century Modernism is characterised as a broadly Western cultural phenomenon, and Postmodernism was shaped by ideas of multi-culturalism, origins and identity, Altermodern is expressed in the language of a global culture. Altermodern artists channel the many different forms of social and technological networks offered by rapidly increasing lines of communication and travel in a globalised world." - Nicolas Bourriaud

Regine “Altermodern at Tate Britain” We Make Money Not Art. Feb 17 2009.
http://we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2009/02/before-im-totally-devoured-by.php


Postmodern rejected the classical thought of unchanging facts. People have seen the failure of technology and the empty promise of fortune in the nearby future. People are returning to an earlier state of mind that is trusted and always has been trusted, intuition and the irrational rather than science, politics, religion and consumerism. The move towards irrational and unreasonable makes logical sense rather than empirical sense.

Haddow, Douglas “The Coming Barbarism: Notes from the Point of No Return” Adbusters #88: The Post-Postmodernism Issue. Mar 2010.


I am interested in anti-consumerism and the idea of political freedom. Ideals that may seem impossible however there is a time for revolution and the word change keeps passing through the media. I strive to change what I can in a positive manner. I believe that altermodern may be a way to express my viewpoints about consumerism and politicians. I still believe pop art is the best way to communicate with my viewers since it is easily read by all levels of education and backgrounds. Combining pop art with the theory of altermodern might be a key to reaching my audience effectively.



(Bob and Roberta Smith, Off Voice Fly Tip, 2009. Photo: Tate Photography)