Postmodernism by Eleanor Heartney

This volume serves as an introduction to the intellectual movement known as Postmodernism and its impact on the visual arts. Author Eleanor Heartney provides a clear and accessible analysis of this movement, using language that eliminates jargon and complexity. Through historical context, Heartney demonstrates how Postmodernism emerged in response to and as a consequence of the fundamental beliefs that underpinned Modernism, particularly its positivist and universalistic elements.

Furthermore, Heartney offers a comprehensive examination of paradigmatic works of art created by renowned Postmodern artists such as Cindy Sherman, Sherrie Levine, Jeff Koons, and Robert Mapplethorpe. By focusing on these representative works, Heartney effectively presents an overview of the Postmodern phenomenon, providing insight into its themes, techniques, and impact.

Eleanor Heartney, the author of this enlightening volume, is a contributing editor for prominent art publications including Art in America, New Art Examiner, and Art Press. She received the Frank Jewett Mather Award for Distinction in Art Criticism in 1991 and currently serves as a board member of the American section of the AICA (International Association of Art Critics). Heartney is also the author of Critical Condition: American Culture at the Crossroads (Cambridge, 1997). Currently residing in New York, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work.

Environmental Art: Connecting Science, Politics, and Visual Expression

Hello everyone and welcome to the 444th new social environment at the Brooklyn Rail. Today, we have the pleasure of being your MC for a conversation between Christie Rep and Eleanor Hartney. We are also thrilled to have poet Bob Holman here to close the program with a reading. Before we begin, we want to acknowledge that we are on the unceded land of the Wappinger, Canarsie, Munsee, and Lenape people, and we encourage you to check the chat for resources related to indigenous land acknowledgment.

Over the past 21 years, the Brooklyn Rail has brought together art, music, dance, film, theater, literature, and important social and political meditations in a monthly publication. As a nonprofit organization, they are currently fundraising $150,000 in 31 days to support their writers, guest artists, production staff, and operations. If you would like to contribute, please check the chat for more information and donation links.

Now, let’s introduce today’s guests. Christie Rep is an artist and teaches at several universities. Her sculptures often incorporate animal behavior and environmental issues. Eleanor Hartney is an art critic and the author of various books on contemporary art. She is an editor at large for the Brooklyn Rail. Today’s conversation will revolve around Christie’s new book, “Noisy Autumn,” which takes inspiration from Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring.”

Now, without further ado, Eleanor and Christie, please take it away!

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In conclusion, Christie Rep’s work explores environmental issues through sculpture. Her latest book, “Noisy Autumn,” pays homage to Rachel Carson and delves into the importance of habitat preservation, waste streams, and the impact of human activities on the planet. Christie’s sculptures use a variety of materials, including plastic waste, to create thought-provoking and visually engaging pieces that highlight the connection between humans and the environment.

Through her work, Christie aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for environmental conservation and hopes to inspire individuals to take action in their own lives. By combining art with scientific research, she provides a unique perspective on complex environmental issues and offers a platform for dialogue and reflection.

As we face the challenges of climate change and ecological degradation, artists like Christie Rep play a crucial role in expanding our understanding and inspiring positive change. Through their work, they remind us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of taking responsibility for the well-being of our planet. Now more than ever, we must listen to the messages conveyed by artists like Christie and strive to create a more sustainable and harmonious world.