Postmodernism in Architecture

   As a class, a common postmodern theme that we have frequently visited this semester is the idea that postmodernism takes and remakes, or reuses, iconic images from the past in an attempt at "originality", whether it be in fashion, television shows, or music. This is something that Charles Jencks touches on briefly in his description of postmodern architecture. He states that this historical continuum has, "...led to an outbreak of parody, nostalgia and pastiche..." in the world of architecture. Of all the facets of life that are now infused with this, architecture seems to be one that is most visible to the eye, simply because you can see it. Yet, this theme that surrounds us everyday goes unnoticed.
    A current architectural theme throughout Westernized society is the recreation of historical standards when it comes to the looks of a buildings interiors and exteriors. Although this architectural  theme is not new or original at all, simply by the fact that it is a recreation of previous architectural feats, it is a theme that is aspired to in modern society because it is something that seems to be "new" or "original" compared to what is common. When your home is covered in bricks rather than vinyl, or has a wide, rounded porch instead of a rock patio, or if the new town hall has been modeled after the original, with granite columns and marble staircases, the architecture is considered something completely different simply because nothing looks this way anymore, when in actuality, it is exactly the same as something that used to be. In many ways, creating architecture that is modeled after historic architecture is seen as honorable, but realisticly,  is it truly honorable when the connection between the original architectural inspiration and newly created architecture is never made for those who see and use the building? This not only makes a mockery of the history that the architecture is based upon, but it also makes a mockery of those who value this new architecture under the impression that is, in fact, "original".
   As others notice this trend in architecture, they then follow in line and soon, it no longer becomes "original" or trendy to follow suit so the focus moves on to another, vintage look that no one has attempted to recreate. As much as society strived for originally, there is no way to achieve true originality because, as was also discussed in class this week, all of our human ideas are based on the influence of another humans ideas; a cycle that will continue as long as humans communicate with each other. True originality in anything can never be achieved, yet we continue to strive and aspire to it everyday, making a mockery of the "originals" that we do attempt to recreate.