Postminimalism

Postminimalism is an art idea that began in 1971 when a writer named Robert Pincus-Witten used the term "post-minimalism." It describes art that uses simple ideas from minimalism but also tries to add more complexity or variation.

Minimalism in art means using very simple shapes and patterns, without too much decoration. Postminimalism builds on these simple ideas but makes them more interesting and varied.

You can mostly find postminimalism in music and visual arts, but it can appear in other areas too that look back at minimalism. In music, postminimalism comes after minimal music, which uses repetitive patterns and simple structures, created by artists like Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

This style of art and music is important because it shows how artists keep growing and finding new ways to express themselves, even when they start with very basic ideas. It helps us see how different art forms can influence each other and develop over time.

Visual art

See also: List of postminimalist artists

Postminimalist visual art grows from minimalism. It often uses everyday objects and simple materials. Artists like Eva Hesse added a personal, hand-made touch. Others, such as Richard Serra, made large metal sculptures with machines. This style is a way of thinking more than a fixed rule. It lets many artists try new ways to create and view art.

Music

See also: List of postminimalist composers

Postminimalism in music is about works that are inspired by minimal music and belong to art music. This style became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. It has a steady pulse that lasts through the whole piece. It uses a diatonic pitch language that sounds tonal but does not follow traditional functional tonality. The music keeps an even level of dynamics without big emotional changes. Unlike minimalism, it does not use simple, straightforward structures. Postminimalist music often uses minimalist methods like additive and subtractive process in secret ways. It can also include influences from world and popular music, such as Balinese gamelan, bluegrass, and Jewish cantillation.