The return of postmodernism?
After a period during which the postmodern paradigm was called into question by everyone, from American neo-cons to French Marxists, postmodernism now seems to catch the interest of younger generations. As the memory of May 1968 and the battles over its legacy that were always part of the debate on postmodernism fade away, it seems as though it can be reconsidered more dispassionately, and probably in a more historicized fashion. Art historians Fabien Danesi, Katia Schneller, and Hélène Trespeuch will discuss the issue and will report, among other things, on the important conference they organized at the INHA on May 30-31, 2008. They will also cover the history of the term, from its appearance in the 1930s to its formalization by periodical October in the 1970s to its use in contemporary art in the 2000s.
Mark ALIZART is the assistant manager of the Palais de Tokyo. He has co-edited the three volumes of Fresh Théorie with Christophe Kihm (Paris: Éditions Léo Scheer/Fondation d’Entreprise Ricard, 2005, 2006, 2007) as well as the exhibition catalog for Traces du Sacré with Jean de Loisy and Angela Lampe (Paris: Centre Pompidou, 2008). He has also published an interview with Stuart Hall (Paris: Éditions Amsterdam, 2007).