This collection of original essays provides an intellectual, social, and historical background for the postmodern movement in the literary, visual, and performing arts in America today. Both creative expression and critical thought are examined in literature, painting and sculpture, dance, music, photography, architecture, theatre, and film. The author of each essay describes and analyzes the ways in which individuals become conscious of, represent, and ultimately assimilate changes in their respective art forms. Included in each essay is a synthesis of critical issues, as well as a discussion of representative figures and their works. Also, a broad bibliographic component supplements each essay, including discussions of resource materials, checklists, and a comprehensive annotated bibliography. In his introduction, editor Stanley Trachtenberg provides an overview of postmodernism. In addition, the volume contains an appendix of related European and Latin American expressions and a chronology of historical and cultural events and individual achievements.