Pop Culture

Popular culture is the entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are preferred by an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century. Heavily influenced by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society.

Although terms popular culture and pop culture are in some cases used interchangeably, and their meanings partially overlap, the term “pop”, which dates from the late 1950s, belongs to a particular society and historical period. Pop refers more specifically to something containing qualities of mass appeal, while “popular” refers to what has gained popularity, regardless of its style.

Source by http://mashable.com/category/pop-culture/

Let’s look at the 60’s pop culture!

In the colorful 60s, festivals and music were big, the Hippie scene took off, flowers and anti-war protests were everywhere, Russia won the space race and Men walked on the moon while Concorde took off.

The 1960’s was a time of radical change and rebellion within America. The culture changed dramatically reflecting the people’s want for something different. The music becomes more “scandalous” as people such as Elvis Presley push for music that is more edgy with a different sound. Art became more abstract and shared a different message. Pop Art became very popular. As protests and movements became more prominent. Crime also raised causing the police to play a key role in American life.

The 60’s Pop Art

Pop art is the use of cultural icons, popular trends, or commodities in paintings, usually depicted from a different perspective. It’s easier to recognize because of the popularity of the icons used. Objects within pop art was usually used in a satirical manner.

The 60’s Pop Artists

1. JASPER JOHNS

Jasper Johns is an American artist that is considered a neo dadaist even though he painted many popular icons. He was one of the first to embrace pop art and become a part of it. Most of John’s work was of numbers, characters, and letters depicted in a chaotic or jesting manner. He paved the way for later pop artists with his most famous painting Flag .

2. ANDY WARHOL

Andy Warhol was a very popular icon within pop art. He was most famous for his paintings of Tomato soup cans, but he also created many advertisements and was a great photographer. He started his painting career with the discovery of blotted line in 1950. Blotted line was a type of art that required two pieces of paper. One page would have ink line on it, and before the ink dried a second page would be placed against it. This would create a random dot pattern, and the rest of the space was filled in with watercolor.
Let’s peek at Warhol’s collections at http://www.guyhepner.com/artists/#!ART3/andy-warhol

Artist: Andy Warhol

Media: Synthetic polymer paint

Dimensions: 51 cm x 41 cm x 0 cm

Location: Museum of Modern Art

Created: 1962

Period: Pop art

Andy Warhol wanted to create a bigger name for himself, and he began his career in pop art. He didn’t know what to paint originally and started with comic strips and coke bottles. These paintings were not very popular, and it was later suggested that he painted things he liked. This led to the painting of 32 different Campbell’s soup cans.

Source: http://www.biography.com/people/andy-warhol-9523875

3. DAVID HOCKNEY

David Hockney was a British artist in the twentieth century. Hockney moved to Los Angeles in 1963 where he began his career as a pop artist. He painted people knew or places he had visited. Hockney was openly gay and expressed that in some of his pieces of art, such as We Two Boys Together Clinging, and Domestic Scene, Los Angeles.

4. ROY LICHENSTEIN

Roy Lichenstein was a teacher at Rutgers University. He is well known for his works within pop art. He usually painted comic strips using Ben- day dots in order to create a more accurate representation of the comics. He was often critiscized for his works, but he continued to paint stating that, “The closer my work is to the original, the more threatening and critical the content. However, my work is entirely transformed in that my purpose and perception are entirely different. I think my paintings are critically transformed, but it would be difficult to prove it by any rational line of argument.” His most famous painting is Wham!
Peek Lichenstein’s at http://www.guyhepner.com/artists/#!ART21/roy-lichtenstein

Now, let’s look at the 70’s pop culture!

The bright colors, brash subject matter, flat shapes, and cool irony of Pop Art were still very popular in the seventies following their birth in the early sixties. Original Pop artists such as Richard Hamilton, Tom Wesselmann and James Rosenquist were active, while other artists seemed to be greatly influenced by the movement and made work that seemed to be Pop-inspired.

Elvis: The Movie (1979)

Elvis The Movie (1979) http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008428148835/

Star Trek 1975 Annual

Star Trek 1975 Annual http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008428090573/

Battlestar Galactica (1978-79, ABC) starring Lorne Green, Richard Hatch & Dirk Benedict — Orignal Soundtrack LP

Battlestar Galactica (1978-79, ABC) starring Lorne Green, Richard Hatch & Dirk Benedict — Orignal Soundtrack LP http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008428290644/

Florida Airlines 1970's. Its all about the headband.

Florida Airlines 1970’s. Its all about the headband. http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008428289181/

vintage 70's

vintage 70’s http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008428468388/

Girl of the Year (1977) Farrah Fawcett-Majors

Girl of the Year (1977) Farrah Fawcett-Majors http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008428668951/

Wigs & Hairpieces 1970 — Jo Anne Worley

Wigs & Hairpieces 1970 — Jo Anne Worley http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008427596821/

Christopher Reeve as Superman (1978)

Christopher Reeve as Superman (1978) http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008427480922/

Disco Ken

Finally, let’s look at the 80’s pop culture!

It’s the era when dicso is everywhere. And much more icons and characters appeared.

80s pop culture

I love to scope the 80’s in Malaysia context, where the popular culture spreads everywhere, and I’m one who was born at that time. Let’s have a deep sight look. There are such a memorable moment to remember.