Social Commentary through Pop Art

Definitions:

1. A series of explanatory or interpretive remarks or comments

2. Something that serves as an example or illustration

Definition: Expressing personal opinions on issues in a society ... often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people's sense of justice.

Social commentary can be practiced through all forms of communication, from printed form, to conversations to computerized communication.

Social Commentary Through Pop Art

Definitions:

1. living in groups or communities instead of alone

2. of or pertaining to human beings living as part of a group or community

Social Commentary

Challenged traditional art by including images from popular culture (such as from advertising and news)

Pop Art/ Artists

What are some

examples of

social issues?

Andy

Warhol

• American Pop artist from Pittsburgh
• Died in 1987 at age 58

• Explored the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and advertisement

• Fun fact: The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting was $105 million for a 1963 work

At your tables,

brainstorm at least 20

social issues you are familiar with.

Think about issues in the school, community, state, nation, and the world.

Your Challenge:

Roy

Lichtenstein

Conceptual Artists/

Conceptualism

Keith

Haring

Art in which the concept or idea is the most important aspect of the work

• American Pop artist from New York
• Died in 1997 at age 73

• Choose a social issue from your brainstormed list

• Work was heavily influenced by popular advertising and the comic book style

Artistic Behaviors

Barbara

Kruger

• American Pop artist and social activist, born in Reading, PA & raised in Kutztown, PA
• Died in 1990 at age 31

• Work usually features thick outlines, bold colors, dots, and speech bubbles...sometimes also onomatopoeic words

• Artwork commented on issues such as birth, death, & war

Some examples:

• Contemporary American artist, now 70 years old
• Lives and works in New York and Los Angeles

• Known for her black & white photographs overlaid with declarative captions that challenge the viewer

• Artists create original art.
• Artists communicate through their work.
• Artists have personal voice.

• Uses techniques like mass communication and advertising to explore concepts like power & identity

• Bullying
• Cyber-bullying
• Academic dishonesty
• Smart use of social networking
• Texting while driving/walking
• Environmental issues/pollution
• Recycling

• Create a conceptual piece of art (about your social issue) in the style of any (or all) of the 3 Pop artists discussed.

"What does that mean for me?"

Fun fact: In 2011, this piece from 1985 was sold for $902,500!

Chris

Jordan

• I can create original works with my own ideas.
• I can create art that conveys ideas and feelings.
• I can have my own opinion and let it be heard.

Banksy

• 52 year old American artist based in Seattle, WA

• English-based graffiti artist, political activist, and film director
• Real identity = UNKNOWN!

• Many of his works are created from photographs of garbage and mass consumption
• Passionate about conservation and awareness

• Known for his distinctive stenciling technique, and his political and social commentary

• His work usually contains bold messages about America's waste & consumption, aftermath of natual disasters, consumerism, social problems, and the effect of our waste on animals (baby albatrosses filled with plastic)

• His messages are usually anti-war, anti-capitalist, or anti-establishment

• Fun fact: Banksy does not sell photographs or reproductions of his street art, but art auctioneers have sold his street art on location and leave the problem of its removal in the hands of the winning bidder!

Cans Seurat, 2007

http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/rtn/#cans-seurat

Plastic Bags, 2007

http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/rtn/#plastic-bags