Pop Art: Characteristics, Meanings, and History Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Pop Art, beginning with its origins in the mid-1950s as a response to Abstract Expressionism. It details the shift towards more accessible and figurative art forms that resonated with the public. The report explores the influence of consumerism and popular culture on the movement, highlighting key figures like Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol. It discusses the emergence of Pop Art in both Britain and America, examining the differing contexts and influences. The report aims to review existing literature on the characteristics of Pop Art, its artworks, and the meanings they convey, with a focus on how the art form provides instant meanings to viewers. The research methodology involves the use of secondary sources such as research papers, journals, websites, publications, and books. The report will also analyze the meanings behind some of the most popular artworks under this pop art, providing insights into the features and characteristics of Pop Art, its artwork, and their meanings, as well as how the art has evolved and what lessons can be learned from the past.

Research Proposal
The instant meanings behind a unique form of art- The Pop Art
Student
[Pick the date]

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The instant meanings behind a unique form of art- The Pop Art
During the 1950'2, the main art that was popular in America was the ‘Abstract Expressionism.'
Its style was arcane and non-figurative, and it was admired by the critics, art lovers and the other
experienced visitors in the museum. But, the art failed to connect with the people and the public.
Even many artists could not relate to the abstract paintings. This was made in very much
painterly style, and people started feeling that it was more abstract and expressive. So, this
created a need and demand for the other styles of painting that could be more figurative and
consist of a much down to earth imagery. The opportunity for art was present for the wider
fraternity of the artists, and they got a chance to produce something with which the viewers
could relate themselves. Thus, the Pop art emerged, and it soon became an established art style
in America.
A British curator Lawrence Alloway invented the term ‘Pop art’ in 1955. He described this art as
a ‘popular art’ which was in relation to a movement that was characterized by the imagery of
consumerism and popular culture (Alloway, 1974). The art emerged in London as well as New
York during the mid- 1950's, and until late 1960's, it became a dominant avant-garde style.
Initially, the art was introduced in Great Britain that was suffering from the economic hardships
after the war. During late 1940,'s the artists from the independent group found some images in
the popular magazines and they started to idealize those images related to the American lifestyle
as part of the critique of the British society.
The leading artists that contributed to this pop art include Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg,
Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Sir Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, Richard Hamilton, David
Hockney and Allen Jones. There were several others who contributed to this art.

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The paper seeks to review the literature that talks about the various characteristics and features of
the pop art that give instant meanings and messages to the viewers and the public. The reasons
due to which people wanted a simpler style of art will also be discussed after reviewing the
history and the literature related to this form of art. The entire research will be based on the
secondary sources that will include research papers, journals, websites, publications, and books
containing the information about pop art. Also, the meanings behind few of the most popular
artworks under this pop art will be discussed in the paper.
The research will give an insight to the public and the artists about the features and
characteristics of the Pop art, its artwork, and their meanings. They should know about how the
art has emerged to what it is today and what mistakes earlier artists have made that the current
artists should avoid. They will also get to know that what meanings are valuable by the people
and how do they draw meanings out of the paintings.

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Reference:
Alloway, L. (1974). American pop art. Collier Books.