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Essay / Modernism and post-modernism in the La Mama chair by Gaetano Pesce
Post-modernism appeared in the 20th century to displace and undermine the values introduced by modernism. Postmodernism can be interpreted as "the cultural logic of late capitalism", emphasizing its Marxist and post-industrial perspective. Therefore, the rigidity of modernism evolved into the indeterminacy of the postmodern aesthetic that the deconstructed style comprises. The post-modernist style is demonstrated in the artwork UP5 La Mamma Chair (1969) by Italian architect Gaetano Pesce, which can be interpreted as a manifestation of self-expression. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Additionally, through the creation of functional product design, Pesce expanded notions of modernism. Gaetano Pesce was an Italian architect and designer, whose humanist vision was distinguished by a creative use of materials and colors, as evidenced by the bright red used in the chair. It maintained links between the individual and society, through its design aimed at strengthening life in the 20th century. Pesce's design emphasizes these ideas through the symbolism and figurative elements of the chair. Subsequently, it can be interpreted as a metaphor of a woman, her physical characteristics reflect a woman's body, the headrest of the chair are the breasts and the seat of the chair cradles the thighs of the model. Additionally, the ottoman connected to the armchair by a rope depicts a figurative image of a woman with a ball chained to her foot recalling the idiom of ball and chain, highlighting the difficulties women experience in society. Pesce's progressive thinking allowed her to address controversial topics such as feminism at a time when women were heavily oppressed. Pesce's postmodern context allows him to explore existing societal ideals, particularly feminism. Pesce remembers: “At that time, I was telling a personal story about my conception of women, I believe that women have always been involuntary prisoners of themselves. This is why I decided to give this armchair the shape of a woman with a ball and chain, a traditional image of a prisoner.” With the deconstruction of symbolic meaning, Pesce's post-modern vision for the play can be better understood. Pesce's progressive attitude has allowed him to confront controversies, particularly over whether his position as a male artist allows him to give voice to women's struggles. To this, he responds: “It is not only Africans who can talk about the problems of Africa, it is not only Germans who can talk about the Nazis, we are therefore free to talk about what we think we are important. We’re not supposed to ask anyone’s permission.” Pesce's chair challenges stereotypes about women and shines a light on their past, present and future struggles. Although contradictory, modernism and postmodernism have influenced design through their tendency to question and undermine existing design principles. In the late 20th century, postmodernism flourished and opposed modernism, as people attempted to create a world inspired by universal truths and science. The postmodern perspective emphasized that modernism failed to reconcile political tensions and worsened existing power struggles between authoritarian institutions and the lower class. This highlights the oppressive influence of modernism on reason, the scientific method, and objective truth. The La Mamma chair (1969) by Italian architect Gaetano Pesce emphasizes a post-modern perspective. There..