Pop Art and Andy Warhol
During the first part of the semester we have studied the origins of Cubism and the
Ready-Made primarily through Picasso and Duchamp. We also had a brief introduction
to the work of Robert Rauschenberg and his combine paintings that cross-referenced
Abstract Expressionism (William deKooning and Jackson Pollock) and his use of
printing and silk screening. Then beginning in the early 60’s artist began to rebel against
the values and approach to art taken by the expressionist by creating works that
referenced mainstream and popular culture.
In your paper I want you to differentiate between the Abstract Expressionist and the
Pop artist. Your paper will be broken down into the following components.
You will trace the origins of Pop Art and how it was different than Abstract
Expressionism. Who was the major pop artist of the time? What did they have in
common?
Trace the origins of Andy Warhol’s career and how he came to be the prominent pop
artist of his time. How did his use of film, photography, screen-printing and public
spectacle make him even more relevant to contemporary values?
In what ways were Andy Warhol both reflecting his times and defining his times? What
was especially American about his work? How was he ahead of his times with regards to
our contemporary notions of celebrity and fame? Where do you see the influence of
Marcel Duchamp?
In conclusion find examples of his influence in contemporary culture. Most importantly
explain your own personal experience of his work. Can you relate to it? Where do you
see his influence? What are the main ideas that made his art so radical and yet so
familiar?
I am requiring you to actually go see his work. I will expect you to go to the Museum of
Modern Art and or the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the. Which pieces do they have on
display and from what period of his do they come from. You will have to attach your
ticket stub to your paper.
You will also have to use the library at LaGuardia for your research. Use of the web
should be limited. Wikipedia is not acceptable.
5 pages double-spaced, 12-point type with 1” margins
You will also include a 9th page with sources sited in the MLA style