How do the Postmodern and the Neo-Conceptual Art movements compare in terms of subversion and critique?

The Postmodern and Neo-Conceptual art movements emerged during the latter half of the 20th century and were characterized by a shared interest in subversion and critique of traditional artistic conventions. While both movements sought to challenge established norms, there are distinct differences between the two.

Postmodernism, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, sought to critique and subvert the dominant cultural narratives of the time. Postmodern artists rejected the idea of a single, objective truth and embraced the subjective, individual experience. They challenged the notion of originality by appropriating existing images and ideas, often incorporating elements of popular culture into their work. In this sense, Postmodernism was a reaction to the modernist movement that preceded it.

Neo-Conceptualism, which emerged in the 1980s, was a reaction against the excesses of Postmodernism. Neo-Conceptual artists sought to critique and subvert the conventions of Postmodernism itself, often through the use of irony and self-reflexivity. They also rejected the notion of the artist as an autonomous, creative genius and instead embraced collaboration and appropriation as integral parts of their practice.