Postminimalism

Postminimalism is an art idea that started in 1971 when a writer named Robert Pincus-Witten used the term "post-minimalism." It describes art that takes ideas from minimalism but also tries to go beyond it. Minimalism in art means using very simple forms and ideas, like basic shapes or repeated patterns, without too much decoration.

Postminimalism builds on these simple ideas but adds more complexity or variation. It appears mostly in music and visual arts, but it can be found in other areas too that look back at minimalism. In music, postminimalism is the kind of music that comes after minimal music, which is music with very repetitive patterns and simple structures composed by artists like Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

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

Visual art

See also: List of postminimalist artists

Postminimalist visual art builds on minimalism, often using everyday objects and simple materials. Artists like Eva Hesse added a personal, hand-made touch to minimalist ideas, while others, such as Richard Serra, created large machine-made metal sculptures. This style is more of a general approach than a strict rule, allowing many different kinds of artists to explore new ways to make and see art.

Music

See also: List of postminimalist composers

Postminimalism in music refers to works that are influenced by minimal music and are part of art music. It especially describes a style that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. This style has a steady pulse that continues through the piece, uses a diatonic pitch language that feels tonal but avoids traditional functional tonality, and keeps an even level of dynamics without big emotional peaks. Unlike minimalism, it avoids simple, linear structures. Postminimalist music often uses minimalist methods like additive and subtractive process in hidden ways and can include influences from world and popular music, such as Balinese gamelan, bluegrass, and Jewish cantillation.