The term Postmodernism.

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Postmodernism

The term Postmodernism is a topic that frequently surfaces in contemporary sociopolitical literature, but it is not often used in conversation or in popular media like 'A Current Affair 'program. Irrespective of its absenteeism in the direct consciousness of the mass population, it raised curiosities among writers and become a lived practice amongst artistic disciplines. Postmodernism has been described as a sensibility that arises when the credibility of grand narratives are questioned. These grand narratives or universal truths are linked to the EnIightenment period where there was hegemonic discourse for art, architecture, science and morality. In particular, postmodernism refers to the shift from gradual liberation and evolution predominant in the French Revlolution, to global consumerism in contemporary culture. Postmodernism emerged in many writings in the 1950's but gained momentum in the sixties and seventies (Kumar 1995). For many, the debate to wether postmodernism is really a lived experience and if it appropriately describes contemporary culture remains to be of interest. Globalisation issues have dominated sociological discussions and subsequently postmodernism has been obscured or phased out. Its ambiguity lingers on however. The aim of this discussion will be to facilitate an understanding of postmodernism as it is difficult to