ELEMENTS OF POSTMODERNISM

1. Bricolage (literally, French for jumble)2. Hybridity (something from more than one source in origin

or composition)3. Intertextuality (the way in which texts refer to other

media texts that producers assume audiences will recognise.)

4. Hyperconsciousness (an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation)

5. Hyperrealism (an inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from a simulation of reality)

Hell in a Handbasket by Voltaire

HYBRIDITY: EXAMPLE #1

Why is it an example of hybridity?This song is sung to the tune of "The Saints Go Marching In.“, has lyrics taken from “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, “The Number of the Beast” by Iron Maiden and also contains the typical ‘call-and-response’ found in Cuban music (Voltaire was born in Cuba)

Buried Alive by Creature Feature

HYBRIDITY: EXAMPLE #2

Why is it an example of hybridity?The song has a similar tune to “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics and lyrics taken directly from the works of Edgar Allan Poe (“The Premature Burial”, “Descent into the Maelstrom”, “The City in the Sea”, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” etc etc)

INTERTEXTUALITY: EXAMPLE #1

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

Why is it an example of intertextuality?It is a textual intervention on Charlotte Brontë's ”Jane Eyre”, Rhys's novel re-imagines Brontë's devilish madwoman in the attic and the story is told from her perspective. “Wide Sargasso Sea” acts as a prequel to the famous 1847 novel.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

INTERTEXTUALITY: EXAMPLE #2

Why is it an example of intertextuality?It has extracts from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Prometheus and Paradise Lost. In fact, the original subtitle of the book is ‘The Modern Prometheus’.

QI

HYPERREALISM: EXAMPLE #1

Why is it an example of hyperrealism?Questions about any massively promoted versions of historical or present ‘facts’ which seemingly have simple answers are proven to be far more complicated in the round ‘General Ignorance’

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

HYPERREALISM: EXAMPLE #2

Why is it an example of hyperrealism?It is an American documentary-style horror film. The events shown in the film have not actually happened nor are the news reporters actual reporters, or the actors playing themselves yet we are still under the impression that it did happen.

Why is it an example of bricolage?

Youth subcultural groups such as punks, often known for the Anarchy symbols on their jackets, were eclectic as they took clothes associated with different class positions or political parties and converted them into fashion statements that no longer held their original meaning.

BRICOLAGE: EXAMPLE #1

Punk subculture

Lego Headband

BRICOLAGE: EXAMPLE #2

Why is it an example of bricolage?Bricolage is very visible in fashion because the fashion world is ever evolving, and ever concerned about being unique. It has even gone to the point where they use children's toys as fashion statements, merging the ‘quirky and cool’ aspect with the innocence of a childhood toy.

Rats on Cocaine

HYPERCONSCIOUSNESS: EXAMPLE #1

Why is it an example of hyperconsciousness?Alice, in reply to Cage’s paranoid thoughts, says ‘How many times do I have to tell you? We’re not a f*cking internet cartoon.” before they look around suspiciously. This shows that they are aware that they are just fictional characters.

The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror: Nightmare Cafeteria

HYPERCONSCIOUSNESS: EXAMPLE #2

Why is it an example of hyperconsciousness?As Lisa and Bart are just a few steps from their deaths at the hands of their cannibalistic teachers and a giant blender, Bart states that ‘I remain confident that something will come along and save the two Simpson kids.’, showing that he is aware of the fact that they always find a solution at the last minute.