Proposed by Robin van den Akker and Timotheus Vermeulen
Oscillation between modernist enthusiasm and postmodern irony
Seeks to move beyond postmodern cynicism
Embraces sincerity, hope, and romantic sensibilities
Metamodernism is a cultural and philosophical movement that emerged as a response to both modernism and postmodernism. It seeks to synthesise elements from both, emphasising a balance between optimism and scepticism. Key characteristics include:
In-Betweenness: The term derives from the Greek word metaxis, reflecting a state of oscillation between conflicting ideas, such as hope and doubt, sincerity and irony.
Engagement and Emotion: Metamodernism encourages genuine connection, empathy, and storytelling, aiming to create meaning in a complex world.
Complexity and Paradox: It embraces ambiguity and recognizes the multifaceted nature of contemporary life, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of issues like identity and culture.
Overall, metamodernism represents a quest for deeper meaning in the face of modern existential challenges. Metamodernism differs from modernism and postmodernism in several significant ways:
Optimism vs. Skepticism: Metamodernism combines the optimism of modernism—faith in progress and grand narratives—with the scepticism of postmodernism, which critiques these narratives. It embraces a hopeful outlook while acknowledging complexity and uncertainty.
Sincerity vs. Irony: While postmodernism is characterised by irony, deconstruction, and relativism, metamodernism emphasises sincerity, emotional engagement, and the potential for meaningful connections.
Oscillation: Metamodernism is marked by an oscillation between conflicting ideas—such as hope and despair, sincerity and irony—rather than a strict adherence to one perspective. This dynamic allows for a more nuanced understanding of contemporary issues.
Constructive Engagement: Unlike postmodernism’s tendency to reject grand narratives, metamodernism seeks to construct new meanings and narratives that resonate with current realities, aiming for a synthesis of modernist ideals and postmodern critiques.
Overall, metamodernism represents a complex response to the challenges of the digital age, striving for depth and connection in a fragmented world.
Ambiguity and Paradox: Metamodernist art embraces complexity, often presenting layered meanings that reflect both nostalgia and contemporary issues, creating a sense of ambiguity and reflection.
Sincerity and Emotion: Unlike postmodernism’s irony, metamodernism emphasises genuine emotional engagement, seeking authenticity in expression and connection.
Oscillation: It embodies a pendulum-like movement between conflicting ideas such as hope and doubt, unity and plurality, allowing for a nuanced exploration of themes.
Collaboration and Dialogue: Metamodernist art often involves collaborative processes, inviting dialogue among creators and audiences to foster a sense of community.
Cultural Reflection: It addresses contemporary crises while maintaining a playful spirit, encouraging artists to explore their limits and engage with societal issues meaningfully.
Overall, metamodernist art seeks to create new narratives that resonate with today’s complexities while acknowledging the past.
Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker: Dutch cultural theorists who popularised the term through their 2010 essay “Notes on Metamodernism,” emphasising a synthesis of modernist and postmodernist elements.
Hanzi Freinacht: The pseudonym for Emil Ejner Friis and Daniel Görtz, who explore political metamodernism and advocate for a new societal framework in works like The Listening Society.
Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm: An academic whose book Metamodernism: The Future of Theory argues for a metamodern approach in social sciences, incorporating Hegelian dialectics.
Brendan Graham Dempsey: Author of Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics, synthesising various strands of metamodern discourse.
These figures contribute to the understanding and development of metamodern thought across various disciplines.