How Pop Art Reflects the Values and Culture of the U.S. Research Paper

Introduction

Culture refers to people’s way of life. Culture is divided into various facets which include: norms, values, beliefs, attitudes, and cognitive mapping, and the thesis is geared towards achieving the survival of the society. These various facets are depicted in various aspects of the social structure such as fine arts, music, and various cultural ceremonies. This essay dwells on pop art in the U.S and with an emphasis on how it reflects the core values and the culture of the people in the U. S. Since culture is dynamic people’s values are re-evaluated and changed as culture changes to enhance the adaptability of individuals in the society. The same case applies to pop art in the U.S. and the effects of such changes will be revealed later on.

Pop art is a short form of popular art that is very common in the U.S and it depicts the citizens’ culture as well as driving it. Basically, pop art refers to a visual art movement that today reflects the popular culture in the U.S through images that are used in advertising and television. Popular culture, on the other hand, refers to things that are very common in our society today which include; movies, video games, TV, the internet, music, magazine, and all these features in advertising, sports as well as incorporate circles. U.S cultures glorify all these items of their popular culture and are depicted now and then in the pop art produced in the country.

Discussion

Pop art in America was introduced by Rauschenberg and Lichtenstein who challenged the traditional artwork ideas of abstract expressionism. This tradition was employed by Europeans especially by British painters and since Americans are very aggressive they had to stand on their ground and this made them look for new ways of presenting their artwork. This made the American artist concentrate on work that highlighted the popular culture. Americans are known to be very aggressive because once they borrow an idea from other society they work on it, furnish it to make it more appealing. This is exhibited by their outstanding comic works which were satirical.

Americans also value self-confidence and progress. The value of self-confidence propelled the Americans to shift from the European forms of art to newer forms. Arguing along the same line Osterwold (2003, p.80) points out that ‘at the great Armory show of 1913 in New York, American artists had demonstrated an inclination for European abstract formalism; but they had also exhibited a regional art whose subject matter was American life, the new technology, and the dawning media age.’ Self-confidence and desire for progress drive Americans even today because they believe that no one can beat them.

Americans believe that in order to forge forward various changes have to be introduced in the society also they at times invite serious criticism. Changes in any society are a must in order to keep in tandem with the naked fact that culture is dynamic. This is evident in pop art because in the 1940s and 1950s during the political upheavals there was a move towards realism in art and this culminated in 1960s American art. On the same note, Osterwold (p.83) asserts that ‘guided by the changes which were occurring in the society, a younger generation of the artist had begun to outgrow the abstract-expressionism style of the fifties.’ Rauschenberg’s work titled erased de kooning drawing produced in 1953, is very symbolic because it depicts the process by which the current generation of artists detached itself from the older one. Such a transition occurs in every aspect of American society and it even happens today.

Gender which refers to the cultural construction of biological differences between men and women has been a major topic in America for a long time. This topic has been portrayed by artists and their work gives us a window into the American value of femininity and masculinity. Lichtenstein’s comic strip images give us a good example because they exploded the stock signifiers of American mass culture. ‘Square jaws in Lichtenstein’s work connoted maleness, blonde hair and tears femininity’ Hopkins (2000, p.14). Therefore in the 1960s Americans believed men were stronger than women and this could give us the reason which made men be recruited in the military around this time. Mistreatment of women around the 1960s brought about the emergence of feminist movements in the 1970s.

In addition, gender roles around this time were placed in different spheres such as those of combat and war and bedroom. Lichtenstein usually more often portrayed men in war in Asia and this could be an indication that America values war in order to maintain its supremacy and control natural resources in the world. The war being highlighted by his photos was either in Korea or Vietnam. In the domestic sphere, women were always portrayed agonizing over love affairs, Hopkins (2000 p.114). This is a very chauvinistic way of looking at women because it portrays them as the weaker sex and thus places them in a very disadvantaged position in comparison with men. Therefore it is clear that around this time women could not be leaders because they appear to be wick and often emotional.

Sexuality topics are addressed by the work of different pop artists although in the initial stages this kind of work was not acceptable in society. This topic was not welcome because in the 1960s morality was the order of the day and heterosexual marriage was the norm. Warhol was solely responsible for producing work that depicted homosexuality. His work invited a lot of criticism from colleagues such as Sontag who described his work as ‘a good taste of bad taste’. Apart from homosexuality Warhol also touches on the dressing code of the Americans. Hopkins (2000, p. 114) points out that ‘Warhol produced stylish gold leaf collages of shoes specially personalized for celebrities.’ This is a clear indication that American society is an organized hierarchy whereby celebrities are believed to be occupying the highest rung in the social ladder. Even today celebrities hold a special place in American society and are highly respected.

Gender also plays a great role both in production as well as in consumption in America. In relation to the consumerism culture, it is clear that even the pop artist had these ideas in their mind and they put it into consideration in their work. Men were associated with production while women were associated with the culture of consumption. Warhol portrayed the culture of consumerism in America by painting dollar bills, coca-cola bottles, and soup cans. Hopkins (2000, p. 115) arguing along the same line points out that ‘the stacking of Warhol products in rows implied a submission to the routinization of supermarket era shopping as well as mimicking the techniques of mass production.’ This, therefore, means that Americans treasure very much shopping in big stores where items are arranged in a very orderly manner. Therefore the order is one of the core values of the American culture.

Ethnocentric issues are still predominant in American society making the white think that they are superior compared to their Black CCountrymen This ethnocentric belief has brought about segregation of the black in America and many artists have presented this in their work although in a manner that aims at encouraging the black to fight for their rights and place in the American society. Andrews collage paintings in 1963 titled Southern Pasture give a good example. In this painting, the mother is portrayed standing her child in a manner that suggests protection, and in front of the child, we have barbed wires. Patton (1998, p. 191) asserts that ‘this painting refers to the desegregation of public schools in the south.’

Class struggle is also depicted in pop art because it is the order of the day in America. Most pop art has portrayed the class struggle between the white and the black. Andrews work titled champion has highlighted this class struggle which started in 1960s.The champion is categorical because it symbolizes survival, tenacity, and cultural identity Patton (1998, p. 191). Andrews comment quoted in Patton’s work asserts that the champion intention was ‘to show the strength of the black man, the ability to persevere in the face of the overwhelming odds.’

Food holds a very special position in the culture of most Americans. In relation to art there is a shift towards consumerism and most artistic work portrays these trends. This is because more Americans are fond of taking meals outside home. Food with herbal properties are in higher demand and food the for specific group be it the aged, children, sportsmen are produced in large amounts. Arguing a long this line Rodriguez (2008) notes that ‘there has been an “Americanization” of diets through out the growth and use of fast-food restaurants and convenience foods.’ This gives us the reasons why there are a lot of advertisement in both electronic and print media having images and photos respectively of people in a restaurant or photos of burgers.

Still on the same topic Oldenburg presented a project under the title ‘The store’ in 1961 and 1962. This project was very critical because it addresses the consumerism in American culture. Oldenburg had brightly painted objects which included stockings, dresses, shirts, shoes, pies, chocolates and ice-cream sandwiches. The clothing items presents us with a very good case of love for stylish clothing’s by the Americans. Even today it is very common to find women wearing stockings and short dresses especially during the summer. Most American then valued energetic and sugary foods which are categorized today as ‘junk food’. These foods are still produced in large amounts today and this is why we talk of the popular culture of consumption under the umbrella name of MacDonald’s. McDonalds specifically deals with first foods and it is a term often used when referring to fast foods industry.

Any piece of pop art cannot be complete without looking art the impact the pop culture is having in America today. Although pop art was advantageous art the initial stages it has moved on to the next step where it now drives the American values and culture. This is not health at all for the society because it introduces loopholes in the society which can be utilized to bring disorganization in the social structure. The white black struggle depicted earlier on has raised a lot of racist attacks which often results in murder. Taylor echoes the same dissatisfaction when he claims that ‘popular culture has so many weapon to use against children, it has power to tell kids what they should want.’ This is dangerous because the kids do not get to know their society values since they are left to learn alone.

Taylor also notes that popular culture is very smart because it taps into our most basic needs: self esteem, social acceptance, and physical attractiveness. Thus popular culture can easily brainwash kids because it touches on their deepest psychology. Once the psychology of the student is altered the kids learn destructive values and forces children’s to engage themselves in unhealthy activities which do not contribute to the growth and survival of the society. Taylor (2008) concludes by claiming that ‘pop culture is a moral.’ Its sole purpose is to make more money without taking care of the society members.

Conclusion

In conclusion it is evident that pop art gained prominence in America in 1960s. Since then it has been representing American society core values as well as its culture. There by looking at and analyzing pop art and pop culture by extension one can get to learn and understand organization of the American society. Many artists even today present their work and ideas in pop art either as a way of earning money or expressing their dissatisfaction with some of the aspects of their society. As long as American believes that the sky is the limit more pop art will keep on being produced.

References

1. Hopkins, D. 2000, After modern Art, 1945-2000. London, Oxford university press.p.110-120
2. Osterwold, T. 2003, Pop Art. New York, Taschen publisher’s pp.80-86
3. Patton, S. F. 1998, African-American Art. London, Oxford university press.p.180-194
4. Rodriguez J. C. 2008, Popular culture, food and current trends, Eating away from home, obesity and malnutrition. National institute of health.
5. Taylor 2008, Pop culture and your kids. Web.