While modernism and postmodernism are arguably the two most distinctive movements that have dominated Western art in the 20th century, they are certainly the most exceptional styles that have dominated the world architecture during this period. While modernism sought to capture the images and sensibilities of the times, going beyond the mere representation of the present and involving a critical examination by the artist of the principles of art itself, postmodernism is developed in reaction against modernist formalism, considered elitist. “Far more encompassing and more tolerant than the more rigid boundaries of modernist practice, postmodernism offered something for everyone by accommodating a wide range of styles, subjects, and formats” (Kleiner 810). The essence of modern architecture lies in a remarkable effort to reconcile the fundamental principles of architectural design with rapid technological advancement and modernization of society. However, it took "the form of numerous movements, design schools, and architectural styles, some in tension with each other, and often also defying such classification, to establish modernism as a distinctive architectural movement" (Robinson and Foell ). However, the narrower concept of modernism in architecture is characterized largely by the simplification of form and subtraction of ornament from the structure and theme of the building, meaning that the outcome of the design must derive directly from its purpose ; the visual expression of the structure, in particular the visual importance of horizontal and vertical lines typical of international style modernism, the use of industrially produced materials and the adaptation of machine aesthetics, as well as the concept of truth about materials, which means that true natural...... middle of paper ......for Renzo Piano himself, “every architecture tells a story, and the story that this new building offers is a story of lightness and transparency. This building aims to defy gravity. This is a building that will disappear into the air and bring to the horizon the same magic that the neo-Gothic brought” (Piano).Works CitedDrutt, Matthew. "Frank Lloyd Wright Building". In the history of the Guggenheim Foundation. New York: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. 2010. Kleiner, The Art of Fred S. Gardner Through the Ages: The Western Perspective. Vol 2.13th ed. Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2010.Piano, Renzo. The New York Times building. November 2007. Robinson, Judith H., Stephanie S. Foell. Growth, efficiency and modernism. United States General Services Administration. 2003 (revised in 2006). Vandermast, Roberta J. Characteristics of Postmodern Architecture. January 2011.