Pop Art

Andy Warhol’s

Campbell’s Tomato Soup (1962)

http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/p/popart.html

Now that we have covered the beginning of 20^th Century art, it is time to look at the latter part. Pop Art, a movement that came about in the 1950s, is known for its emphasis on icons and popular culture. Pop artists would often create an exact replica of someone or something, and then mass reproduce it. Sometimes they would add vibrant colors to make it protrude from its ordinary subject. Andy Warhol is one of the most notable Pop artists from the 20^th Century. He has numerous artworks that stand today as icons of this movement. One of his most familiar artworks is the popular Campbell’s Tomato Soup (1962), an exact replica of an everyday soup can, which he created with oil on canvas.

In Campbell’s Tomato Soup, Warhol takes an everyday object and turns it into a form of art, not just through creation, but also mass production. The 20^th Century was a time when machinery was available for rendering and reproduction. Artists from this era realized this and decided that artwork could also be reproduced. Again, Pop Art is a visual art movement that combines fine art with popular culture.

Although it sometimes difficult to appreciate Pop Art, it is important to understand this movement and the role it plays in 20^th Century art. Many art historians believe one age or movement impacts the next. It is important to note that Pop Art escalated in a time of mass production, thus artists took advantage of project reproductions. Since Pop Art just happens to be the most recent movement, it is important as students to learn and understand its meaning.

Drowning Girl by Roy Lichtenstein (1963)

Flag by Jasper Johns (1955)

Campbell’s Tomato Soup by Andy Warhol (1962)

Looking at the website, and the photographs provided, please answer the following questions:

1. Explain, in your own words, a definition of Pop Art.

2. List three Pop Art works (both the title and artist).

3. Drowning Girl, by Lichtenstein, illustrates a comic. It was actually inspired by a lead story in DC Comics. Describe some of its comical characteristics.

4. Based on what you have read, formulate ideas for your upcoming Pop Art project. What are some themes, objects, even people, that represent popular culture today? List some ideas for your next project, and be sure to keep in mind several possibilities as you explore the Pop Art unit.