Art Styles: Post WW2 Assignment

Pop Art
Chantal Caissie

Pop Art was a style developed in New York in the Mid 50s. The idea was to
create a replication of something popular like celebrities or everyday items.
The paintings looked a lot more like advertisements. It was a style that
celebrated everyday items. It was a symbol of how after WW2 ended, the
economy was better and people could afford more things.

Influences that contributed to the development of the style:

The pop style was inspired by the dada movement. That is where it got its
simplicity and uniqueness from. After WW2, the great depression was over.
This led to many families having these common household items. More and
more things became common and popular such as the Beatles. The art
created during this time were very relatable, realistic things.

How all three pieces reflect the culture or thoughts during that time:
After looking at many different styles of art throughout this class, I can say
that the pop style is definitely something unique. It represents a whole
different feeling than any of the other ones. I think these 3 pieces show how
after WW2 ended and the great depression was over, everyone was happier.
Life got better. New things were being introduced and technology was
advancing quickly. We can see that that was around the time when people
were idolized, celebrities were the new trend. People became obsessed over
popular singers, movies and almost anything.

My Visual Art Choice:

Link: https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/andy-warhol-campbellssoup-cans-1962
Title: Campbells Soup Cans
Format: Synthetic polymer paint on 32 canvases
Size: 51cm X 41cm
Date: 1962
Current Location: Museum of Modern Art, New York
Artist: Andy Warhol

Description:
Shapes- It is a representation of a realistic, common shape. They are life-like
Campbells soup cans. There are circles and ovals on each can.
Unity- it includes a lot of repetition. It is almost the exact same can done 32
times. There is no focus point on the piece, it makes your eyes travel.
Lines- The cans have strong horizontal and vertical lines. This makes the
piece strong and still. It doesnt create excitement.
Color- The main colors in the painting are red and white. Red can be a
representation of passion or vibrancy while the white symbolizes fresh and
cleanliness.

Background and Interpretation:

Andy Warhol said one of the reasons he painted it was because he used to
drink Campbells soup every single day for 20 years. Andy Warhol did many
paintings of things that he loved. This mightve been one of them. It was a
very simple painting, but to him it had meaning.

What the artist meant by his work:

It is simple something that he loved. He felt that was dead during this time
after WW2. People were only starting to become happier. Andy felt like it was
time for a change in the art world. He recreated advertisements that were

being seen during that time. He said that he wanted to make it feel like you
were in a well-stocked super market.

Judgment:

One thing that Andy did well was make his painting relatable. Campbells
Soup is something that Im sure we all had at least once. He did a great job
of making the cans look realistic. It was a very simple, but well done
painting.

How I feel about it:

I dont find it to be the most interesting or eye catching piece. It isnt
anything really special to me. However, the cans were very realistic and I
think that he is talented. It made me curious as to why someone would take
all their time painting soup cans.

My Music Choice:

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jg0lRO7H14
Title: Did you ever get that feeling in the moonlight?
Format: Song
Length: 2 minutes 58 seconds.
Date: 1945

Singer: Perry Como

Description:

Melody- There are long phrases. At the beginning there isnt a wide variety of
pitch at all. It has a smooth melody. Towards the middle of the song, the
pitches varied.
Tempo: The tempo is slow at the beginning. It changes almost halfway into
the song. It then goes faster. It is a fluid tempo.
Dynamics- The volume of this song at the beginning was very slow and
created calmness. However, it changed later on to a more powerful, outgoing
beat.
Timbre- It was played by an orchestra. Some main instruments you can hear
are the piano and the trumpet.

Background:

At the time that the artist was doing his work the great depression and WW2
were over. This is when a lot of music started to be popular. The pop
movement had begun. His song fits in with that genre. Pop music was very
catchy and a lot of times the words were just said like sentences. It was
something different that wasnt done before.

What the artist meant:

In his song, Perry is describing a time of his life that he felt before. He is
creating a visual in our minds, so that we can also relate and get the same
feeling that he does. His idea is that when we listen to the song itll also
remind us of a specific moment in our life and take us back. It is a song that
was meant to create an emotion from the listener.

Judgment:

I think that he did a good job of creating a melody that is easy to remember.
It was a catchy song that felt relaxing. Also, I think it could be relatable for
some.

How I feel about it:

I personally dont enjoy music from 1945. I like todays pop music much more
as it has changed a lot since then.
My Movie Choice:

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e-eXJ6HgkQ
Title: Titanic
Format: Movie
Length: 195 minutes
Date: December 19th 1997
Creator: James Cameron

Description:

Conflict- There is man vs. nature conflict in this film. This is because the
iceberg sinks the ship with everyone in it.
Theme- One theme is Love. We can see how it is very powerful in this movie.
The main characters make decisions based on it. Another theme that can be
seen in this movie is society and class.
Plot- It is a fil full of romance. It somewhat recreates the actually sinking of
the Titanic ship. Jack and Rose end up falling deeply in love, even though
Rose is engaged. The film shows their journey and how they fall for each
other.

Characters- Jack is the poor orphan who falls in love with Rose. Rose is the
very rich girl being forced to marry Cal. Jack and Rose are in social classes
altogether. Cal is Roses fianc. He is very snobbish and becomes jealous of
Jack.

Background:

James Cameron was always fascinated by shipwrecks. This is partially what

influenced him. Then, after the sinking of the Titanic, his ideas all came
together. His main influence was the real Titanic.

What does it mean?

The purpose of creating this movie was partially because it was James
Camerons interest. However, he wanted to portray the emotional impact of
the sinking of the Titanic. He shows us the emotional impact that it left on
friends and family members of those who were lost.

Judgment:

One thing I think that James did well was create an emotional film. We can
feel the emotion. He also made it very realistic. The characters were played
so well that it seems like were in the movie and its happening to us.

I personally like this movie. I remember having it on VHS when I was 10 and
watching it a lot. However, I havent watched it since. I always liked the story
of it, but never enjoyed that it was almost 3 hours long.

References:
16 Things You Might Not Know About Andy Warhol's
'Campbell's Soup Cans'" Mental Floss. N.p., n.d. Web. 02
Dec. 2016.
"MoMA Learning." MoMA | Andy Warhol. Campbell's Soup
Cans. 1962. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "Titanic Themes." Shmoop.
Shmoop University, 2008. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.