Pop Art - page 2
Keywords: The History of the Pop Art movement 1950s-60s
By s19 on 07/11/2006 18:13:55
Level: A Level (Year 12) / AS Level
Page Number: 2 of 6 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6
and had a more nostalgic flavour. Richard Hamilton's famous work, "Just What Is It that Makes Today's Home so Different, so Appealing?” is considered by many to be the first piece of Pop Art because of its many references to popular culture and consumerism. Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg were some of the first Pop artists in America, and used popular imagery such as the American flag and beer cans in their paintings, prints and collages. Andy Warhol is known for his silk-screens of both famous people and everyday objects, while Roy Lichtenstein employed a comic strip style in his paintings and manipulated those illustrative techniques to great aesthetic effect. The leading Pop artists in Britain included David Hockney, and Allen Jones.
Pop Art, aimed to incorporate popular as opposed to elitist culture into art, and targeted a broad audience. This movement was marked by a fascination with popular culture reflecting the affluence of post-war society.
In order to understand the significance of the cultural changes which took place at this time we need to look at several important factors which indicate the importance of the changes experienced in art, society and the life of the individual. The growing political and economic stability of the post-war era led to a new appreciation of what is normally referred to as “the people” or “the popular”. Another word for the people as a mass is the “populace”; therefore the “popular” has its roots in the traditions and habits of the people. It is what is loved by the masses. This points us to the origins of the term “Pop Art”.
Younger generations were intent on overthrowing established cultural values and social hierarchies; Elvis was the idol of youth culture whose aim was liberation and emancipation from the constraints of a petty-bourgeoisie star cult which was subordinated to the clichés of the Hollywood movie industry. This revolt was taking place in a society characterised by excess, affluence and the easy availability of things. It led both to radical changes in viewing habits and behaviour, and to a new understanding of objects and art.
The politicization of youth and criticism to the capitalist system was accompanied by the introduction of alternative ideas about life, culture and society. Progressive methods of thinking brought about new modes of expression and new fashions which became widely accepted. People surrounded themselves with the trivia
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