lacansmirror, 9/7

After discussing the schematic differences between modernism and postmodernism, I found myself thinking of other examples in my everyday life that resemble modernism or postmodernism.  Now I realize that a lot of the iconic pieces, houses, or monuments from my hometown, Chicago, have modern or postmodern traits.  For example, Frank Lloyd Wright designed my favorite building's interior, The Rookery (above).  This look includes many contemporary characteristics like the curved staircases hovering over the lobby. It also includes more traditional characteristics like glass roofs seen in conservatories or marble columns.   This lobby is definitely modern because it has very new ideas, but it also incorporates older frameworks as well.
In contrast, Frank Gehry's Pavilion in Millennium Park (left) mimics the same styling as The Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA.  This structure does not "fit in" with the park because it looks like a UFO landed in the middle of downtown Chicago.  However, it is considered the centerpiece of the park because it is so unique.
In the same park, and arguably more of a centerpiece for tourists, Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor (below) also known as "The Bean" is a very postmodern art form because it not only is a giant bean in the center of a beautiful park, but it reflects the entire skyline on one side, the entire lake shore on the other, and warps the faces of hundreds underneath it.  In a postmodern time, this iconic sculpture is the ultimate 'selfie' destination for tourists and a reflection of many other magnificent pieces, our skyscrapers.  Interestingly, to go off of our class conversation about High and Low art.  Visitors unfamiliar with the art piece simply call it "The Bean", whereas those familiar with the arts call it Cloud Gate.  It is such a versatile piece that I believe it is both High and Low art.  It simply depends on the interpreter.  I think that versatile aspect of the piece makes it even more postmodern.