Post-Modern Synthesis wyl.p6.t7

Sigmund Freud symbolizes the merging of the intangible with the perceptible – an indirect merging of reason with imagination. This is unique, as in all previous eras there was a clash, rather than a unity, of these two ideals—science vs. religion. Freud instigated a new field of thought and ideas that were based on reason, but also elicited deep instinctive passion (often associated with sexuality). These ideals translated into a “counterculture” movement, as the merging of emotion with reason was, in a sense, backward from the earlier distinctions between emotion and reason.

Comparing these characteristics to art is simple, as this subjective reality was simply plastered onto large canvases as art. Andy Warhol’s block print paintings depicted an immediately harsh and profound merging of many contrasting colors that reflected the merging perspectives and ideals in this new age. It was fearless, and subjected the onlooker to a deep turmoil of passion and understanding that became personalized, since each person perceived a different perspective submerged in the ocean of color and blockage. Jackson Pollock was another leader in this era, a pioneer of abstract painting displaying ranges of dark colors in his drip paintings. The fast and undefined era of stark individualism were causes of the underlying passion and emotion in these nonuniform paintings. Differences and individuality were celebrated, unlike previous eras. There was an uproar of spirituality and science, as they fused together to create this beautiful thing that was in a state between intangibility and tangibility. This was reflected in Pollock’s and Warhol’s art, a transition to the more liberal modern era. Though the clash between religion and science was present, and still continues, there is a greater distinction in certain areas (like democratic politics in this country) and an unclear convolution in other areas (like biology and evolution).