Post-Futurism

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Post-Futurism (alternatively Postfuturism) is a term coined by Vivian Sobchack to describe certain science fiction films of the late 1970s and early 1980s,[1] a genre of science fiction,[citation needed] an artistic movement,[citation needed] and an architectural movement.[citation needed] In the past the term has been used as a synonym for Postmodernism.[2] Post-Futurism has however, evolved past postmodernism and should no longer be affiliated with that term.

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In science fiction, Post-Futurism refers to a group of "Futurist" hard science fiction writers who were known as futurists, and to "Post-Futurist" writers who have subsequently challenged the authority of these writers in the genre. The author Jeff Noon uses the term to describe a new style of novel which incorporates mixed media and overlapping storylines.

In art, the term is used by a small collective of artists and academics to describe a project of computer based art, poetry and writing. The term is also claimed by the Central European art collective NSK (best known for the music of Laibach). In this sense, it refers to art which emphasises collectivity and de-emphasises traditional authorship of art.

In all of the above cases, the link to the Italian Futurist movement is unclear at best.

A third, philosophical definition of Post-Futurism exists. This is the belief that the concept of human beings as separate entities is socially constructed, that we exist as a "tenuous web" of interconnected ideas, given form and meaning by those who perceive us. While futurism attempted to portray a humanity made machine-like and hard, Postfuturist humans are permeable, interconnected with the objects they use and with other people. Futurists claimed that the purpose of humankind was to travel faster, while Postfuturists believe that the purpose of humankind is to expand the meaning of being human.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Vivian Sobchack, Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film, Rutgers University Press, 1997, p223. ISBN 081352492X
  2. ^ Raymond Federman, Critifiction: Postmodern Essays, SUNY Press, 1993, p129. ISBN 0791416798