Pop Art is an art movement that emerged in the 1950s and quickly gained popularity in the United States. It is considered a reaction to the then-dominant ideas of abstract expressionism, and Pop Art was often used as a way to comment on popular culture and consumerism. The term “Pop Art” was first coined by British art critic Lawrence Alloway in 1955, and has since been used to describe a variety of artwork that is characterized by its bold use of bright colors, commercial imagery, and popular cultural references.
The origins of Pop Art can be traced back to the Dada movement of the early 20th century which embraced absurdist and anti-rational themes. The influence of Dada can be seen in Pop Art through its inclusion of everyday objects such as comic books, advertising, packaging, and consumer products.
In addition, there are parallels between Pop Art and the work of Marcel Duchamp who famously submitted a urinal sculpture to an art exhibition in 1917. The use of everyday objects as art was a key element in the development of Pop Art.
The emergence of Pop Art was also influenced by the philosophy espoused by artist Jasper Johns who argued that “things should be seen as they are”. This idea informed many Pop artists who sought to replicate everyday objects or scenes in their artwork, often employing techniques such as appropriation or collage.
In addition, there were several important precursors to the rise of Pop Art including Surrealism with its emphasis on dreams and fantasy; Abstract Expressionism with its focus on emotion; Cubism which celebrated abstraction; and Found Object works which incorporated discarded materials.
Conclusion:
Pop Art is an art movement that emerged in the 1950s and became hugely popular due to its bold use of color, commercial imagery, and pop culture references. Its origins can be traced back to the Dada Movement with its emphasis on absurdity, anti-rational themes, and Marcel Duchamp’s urinal sculpture.
Other influences include Jasper Johns’ philosophy that “things should be seen as they are”; Surrealism; Abstract Expressionism; Cubism; and Found Object works. All these elements combined to create a unique visual style that resonated with audiences all over the world.