How Did the Pop Art Movement Get Its Name?

Art|Pop Art

Pop art was an art movement that emerged in the mid-1950s. It was a reaction against the prevailing artistic standards of the time and sought to challenge traditional notions of what is considered art.

The movement was led by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and Robert Rauschenberg who were all highly influential in redefining popular culture and its relation to fine art. Pop art was characterized by its use of bold colors, comic book imagery, and its focus on consumerism and popular culture.

The term “pop art” was coined by British critic Lawrence Alloway in 1952. In his article “The Arts and the Mass Media,” Alloway wrote that pop art is “Popular (designed for a mass audience), transient (short-term solution), expendable (easily forgotten), low cost, mass produced, young (aimed at youth), witty, sexy, gimmicky, glamorous, and Big Business.”

Pop art sought to challenge traditional notions of high art by embracing commercialism and popular culture. Pop artists used everyday objects such as comic books, magazines, product packaging or advertisements in their work.

They also experimented with new techniques such as silk screening or photography to create their works. Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans are a prime example of this aesthetic.

As pop art grew in popularity throughout the 1960s it began to influence other forms of culture including fashion and music. By the 1970s it had become an international phenomenon with a new generation of artists taking up the mantle such as Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Conclusion:

Pop Art got its name from British critic Lawrence Alloway who used it in 1952 to describe this style of art which embraced commercialism and popular culture while challenging traditional notions of high art. The term was quickly adopted by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg who sought to redefine popular culture through their work. Over time Pop Art has grown into an international phenomenon that continues to influence fashion and music today.