POPular Art

 Art during the 50’s became something more than just an expression of ones personality.  Pop art challenged the “norm” of the art world in the fact that they took objects out of their context and inserts them into another.  Usually these things would be popular licensed objects or topics.  The reason it is referred to as pop art is because of the opinions towards it and not just the visual aspect.

This movement of art can be argued as one of the biggest movements of art.  It started as abstract expressionism and soon became noticed that it could be a response to Dadaism.  Artists would abstractly place cultural objects in a painting to show the irony of the subject.  Also, they would exaggerate certain body parts or use different mediums for furniture to emphasize the irony.  These pieces are meant to be easily printed and re-copied for consumers to buy.  This type of art form can be considered the last movement of art in the postmodern art period.

 

Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg were the pioneers of this art movement. These two inspired each other and eventually were in a relationship with each other.  Jasper John was known for his classic iconography.  His focus was not on pop art most of the time though, because he is known more for his Neo-Dadaist work. A well-known piece he created is called Three Flags in 1958.   Rauschenberg is known for using materials, which were not normal for art.  Artwork created by Rauschenberg includes Bed in 1955, and Monogram between 1955-1959. 

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_art

http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/popart/

http://instruct.westvalley.edu/grisham/1d_popart.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rauschenberg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_Johns

Fashion of the Fifties

Fashion of the Fifties

Women’s fashion during the fifties was influenced by the war. Since women were working in the factories during the war, they went back to the home when the war ended.  Men became the dominant figure once again, and it was strange to go against them. Christian Dior, a designer, created a fashion show creating the “New Look,” which women followed all through the fifties.  The dresses became more luxurious with the types of fabrics used, and complimented a woman’s figure.  Soft shoulders, full bottoms, and narrow waists became the template for these dresses.  Stiletto’s also became a big trend, and showed off women’s legs.  Not only did they wear dresses and skirts, but pants to.  They were very narrow and slim all the way to the ankle.

 

Men’s fashion remained generally the same after the war period.  They remained clean cut, with grey suits most of the time, becoming known as the “American suit.”  Hair depicted what kind of person you were known as.  Slicked back hair was known as a rebel but there was often the preppy cut.

 

The average teenager, now with some money, developed his or her own style and status.  Teen’s became influenced by rock and roll stars such as Elvis Presley and American fashion influenced European teen fashion.  There were two main types of style, the greaser and the preppy.  The greaser guy wore denim and leather while preppy guys often wore denim and a letterman jacket.  Preppy girls wore either circle skirts or the new pleated skirts made of polyester.

Plaid joined all the generation together.  By the end of the decade, various ages of all body types were wearing plaid and gingham. 


Sources:
http://www.enjoy-your-style.com/1950s-fashion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1945–1960_in_fashion