Neoprimitivism - an answer to nihilistic post-modernity The pop media landscape has been dominated by futurist thought and techno-optimism. Just as autotune, electronic beats, and sampling were largely criticized among serious musicians, AI is the latest development to threaten the foundations of what we call art.
Specifically in response to AI, one can look at the effect autotune has had on music: Some artists rely on it heavily for the overt effect, some artists use a little to touch up recordings or live performance. For those who don't use autotune regularly, many have been encouraged to embrace the roughness or cleanness of their own voice, and the available option of autotune gives them a little extra credence while allowing them to stand out from those around them.
Throughout the economic booms of past decades, and the rise of cheaply available high-tech products from China, most visions of the future assumed a continous upwards trajectory. The 'return to monke' 'reject'modernity' memes of the COVID era reflected a newfound pessimism towards the continued advancement of modern technologies. Here, I would like to outline a movement of techno-primitivism which would aim to synthesize the best features of futurism, computing, and historical tradition.
Animal Collective and Deerhunter both incorporate lots of electronics into their music, yet the output manages to sound so natural and ethereal. Their songs range from chaotic industrial noise to call and response chants. Each sung song betrays a deep relationship with spirituality. Modern southern gothic has taken to this ethos with Swamp magic.
Techno-primitivism does not necessitate a lack of decoration or beauty. Bauhaus design principles are a great starting point for easily reproducible or adaptable designs. Ergonomics and aesthetics can lend to beautiful wood work, carving, or injection molding.
In the haze of post-modernity we are stuck with the illusion of choice. Our mere awareness of previous art movements is intended to presuppose a rejection of culture and historicity. Instead, I suggest we take an awareness for the aspects of our society which are unique to our time; internet design languages, memes, technocratic wizards, poisonous food barons. A movement gives inertia. Gives direction to those who practice with no purpose. Post-modern pretentions have infected many an artist with the notion that true art must be invented from nothing. That every previous attempt is to be rejected in favor of tthe individual ego. This comes so close to getting the mark. What is unique about the ego is that there are so many everyday experiences which have never been replicated through any form of lasting art. But these unique events are themselves buiilt from cliches, rituals, and repeated interactions with other people. These new events cannot be found in the soluitude of a writing room or desk.