Monday, September 23, 2013
A Silent Majority : A Response to The Rising of Popular Culture: A Historiographical Sketch by LeRoy Ashby
One of my favorite arguments made in this article are that of the distinction between popular art and elite art. Many people still believe that elite art is true culture. That somehow experiencing and understanding elite art makes one better than the average man around them. In the article, it explains how Russel Nye explained that Popular art uses less to appeal to a Majority and that Elite art uses more to appeal to a minority. Maybe I'm wrong but I much more value something that unites than something that separates. The truth is that Popular Art, Popular Culture, these ideas speak to people in a way that makes them better understand the world around them. It still educates, it still questions, and it still empowers. Just because it is popular, doesn't mean that its average, sub-par, or below that of other projections around it.
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I strongly agree with the theme of your post. The world is already so segregated as it is. Why isolate ourselves from each other further in one of the few aspects of our lives that we can utilize to unite? The people that compose a society inherently make it their mission to reach the brim of the hierarchical ladder. Too often do people mistake culture as a tool to elevate one's status. Accepting, understanding, and appreciating all aspects of one's culture, whether elitist or popular, will produce a level ground and enable a society to connect with each other in a productive and beneficial manner.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I would describe the Mona Lisa as elite art as it’s a valuable piece of art and historical. There can be another piece of art that isn’t elite but still part of popular culture. Just because it’s not as elite as the Mona Lisa, for example, doesn’t mean that it’s not outstanding. Like you said, “Just because it’s popular, doesn’t mean that it’s average.”
ReplyDeleteChristina!!! to respond to that statement about the Mona Lisa. I don't see it as "Elite art" (aside from the fact that art is open for interpretation by the viewer). Personally, i eel as though any art which was once knows as "elite art" can easily be translated into the realm of popular. As an artist myself i see what creations Can Be, as well as respect what they once were. What i mean by that is, what was once known as Elite art can make its way into the pop-art category. for example, take the Statue of Liberty; she is a power symbol of freedom and yet she is more than that. In the pop art realm she is a gun toting 'Merican. A sexy seductress and a devil in disguise. As time passes everything which was once considered a "pure thought provoking form of art" can be altered to make a statement about something that is more relevant today.
ReplyDeleteMona Lisa with an Obey Snap Back.
I agree that definitions of pop art and elite art can change over time. Mona Lisa in particular has changed over time. It was once considered an elite art piece, and the original could still be considered elite. However, Andy Warhol’s 1979 print and various other reproductions of Mona Lisa have helped the image become a part of popular culture. This painting is easily recognizable to the masses, just like a picture of Marilyn Monroe or a Disney princess.
DeleteI love what you had to say about popular culture. Even though I see trends, and parts of pop culture where "history repeats itself", I still think that many things are being created, discovered, and reinvented constantly!
ReplyDelete"The truth is that Popular Art, Popular Culture, these ideas speak to people in a way that makes them better understand the world around them. It still educates, it still questions, and it still empowers. Just because it is popular, doesn't mean that its average, sub-par, or below that of other projections around it." This that you said was absolutely perfect. We can learn so much from popular culture. In addition, popular culture can give people boldness to stand up for something different, just like how the historians, theologians, etc. stood up for a new definition of Popular Culture when they said that it wasn't only for the "Elites."
Overall, well said.