The American 60s and Postmodernism

Here's a question--why is this photo postmodern? Why is this whole Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention album, We're Only in it for the Money postmodern?

Reading for this week. For Discussion on February 16.

If you have the time, read this first. It is the theoretical rationale for the kind of literary art that is practiced by these writers.John Barth's Essay, The Literature of Exhaustion.

Donald Bathelme writes with intelligence, a sense of humor, and a kind of vision. Here are three stories you should read--there are many more that you might enjoy available online.
"The Balloon" does become a commentary on modern art, and also a kind of discourse on the limitations of language that are emerging at the time in semiotics and post-structuralism.
"Me and Miss Mandible" challenges views of childhood and the socialization process, as well as definitions of success and etc. There is also a commentary on art in teh story from th character's military life.
"The Dolt" will challenge ideas about literature and originality and the artistic practice, and function as a reflection on hisstory as well.

Woody Allen, better known of course for his work in films, was also a stand-up comic and a writer of some reknown. His "The Kugelmass Episode" is, in some ways, a perfect demonstration of how postmodernism works with high and low culture and breaks down boundaries of art and literature.

Fianlly, back to Barth, and one of his early stories, "Night-Sea Journey." Here is a web link to the story, and here is a pdf file available for you to download.