How does the reading explore popular culture and its connection to our everyday experiences? How does your understanding of popular culture inform the art you create? How does it inform you as an artist?
The beginning of the chapter really stressed how drastically the definition of the word “icon” had changed. Icons originally were religious or historic and seemingly untouchable. However, as the reading stated, the term “icon” has “escalated to epidemic proportions”. This means that in our culture today, icons are people or symbols that we recognize or relate to. Some examples of icons are the boy and the girl who mark which bathroom is for which sex, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jordon. Today, these symbols and people are icons in their own rights. Aaron Betsky said, “icons are magnets of meaning onto which we can project our memories, our hopes, and our sense of self”. There are so many different logos and icons that we recognize but the question that is brought up in the poem “Grantwood: American Gothic” is not how we see these icons but how these icons define us as people.
Perspective effects interpretation. This is demonstrated by the article about the “Mona Lisa” and how different factors can affect how a person views and interprets the painting. The painting is an icon, but it is an icon that means different things to different people based on life experience, and other varying factors. For example, in the sketch of the duck/ bunny, there was a study that went along with it that showed that children more often see a bunny when it is Easter Sunday, but on ordinary Sundays, they are more likely to see the duck. That is even true of me. When I saw the sketch I saw the duck but I have a pretty good feeling that if I was looking at it on Easter, my mind would jump straight to the rabbit. It is interesting how diverse frames of mind, even within ourselves can affect how we interpret what we see.
The part of the reading that struck me the most was when it said, “right behind every powerful icon lies a powerful idea”. Examples of this are “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange, the peace sign, the four leaf clover, and the smiley face. Another example not exactly found in the reading is Superman vs. Batman. I have heard that Superman represents how the U.S. views itself and Batman is how foreign nations view the U.S. This is an example of popular culture icons that are packed with more meaning than meets the eye. Popular culture is so deep in our ideologies that we might not even realize it. Popular culture informs me as an artist and influences the art that I create by portraying what people will be interested in and attracted to. Also, popular culture icons shape me as a person as an influence based on how much I watch, listen, or interact with their material. In the article about Britney Spears the author states that the question is not do we like her, the question is do we need her. I would have to say that we do. Along with other pop icons. It is a part of our culture and who we are. Whether we need pop culture as an escape or just because we relate to it and love it.
No comments:
Post a Comment