This article analyzes the concepts of metamodernism as productive theoretical tools for describing new forms of ethics and aesthetics. Metamodernism, based on the idea of oscillation between among states, offers a new cultural sensibility expressed in the dialogue between irony and authenticity. Particular attention is given to the cultural and historical factors influencing the specificity of contemporary Polish and Ukrainian art and literature. In this context, it is essential to examine how political and social changes – such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Poland’s systemic transformation, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – have shaped the development of new forms of sensibility. The idea of oscillation can be seen as an attempt to “disarm” critical tools, enabling not only a deeper understanding of contemporary cultural transformations but also their ethical co-creation. This article, situated within the frameworks of cultural studies and the anthropology of art, examines this concept while considering the specificity of Polish and Ukrainian academic reflection.
