Why Architecture in Postmodern Age?

Abstract

The author discusses the difference between postmodernism and modernism, taking as example mostly architecture. He believes that the aesthetic and art tradition of romanticism continues within modernism of this century's avantguards, which - especially in architecture - emphasized the function of works of art and the presupposed definition of their meaning. With postmodernism the situation changes: works of art, including those from architecture, enable the plurality of functions and meanings and allow the user much more creative freedom than modernism. An important part is given to visuality and visual arts, which are important not only by themselves, but also as part of the architectural and urban space. That's why architecture is becoming - in author's opinion - the central public art.