What Next

Having finished everything to do with London and the mysterious light bulb task - I need to ask myself what am  I going to look at next, and what art work am I going to be making? (this could also filter ideas for a chapter in my personal study).

I have speaking about looking at Pop Art throughout my work, but have never explored it. A rough description of Pop Art is a movement that emerged in the mid 1950's Britain and focused on presented a challenge to traditions of fine art by including imagery from popular culture such as advertising, news, etc. When Pop Art moved to America in the 60's items like big chunky American cars, presidential figures, celebrities and the mass produced items took centre stage on the Pop Art canvas. With artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein creating extremely famous pieces - they rarely featured an automobile in their work. James Rosenquist on the other hand, used automobiles in a majority of his pieces. With everything becoming more and more affordable in the 60's Rosenquist is exploring the American Dream and representing it through mass produced items.

Rosenquist's pieces - 'I Love You with My Ford' and 'President Elect' both explore these ideas and feature automobiles. 'I Love You With My Ford’ is one of Rosenquist’s most established pieces. Looking at this painting from a purely artistic approach (as opposed to a critical or business ideology), the three divided pictures each have their own specific qualities. On the top third, there is a shiny and polished car – assumingly a Ford due to the title – this expensive item is littered with tone making it appear clean and three-dimensional; stating its wealth but also its fashionable appeal to the general public. The middle segment portrays a woman, almost sexually whispering into what appears to be a man’s ear. The dark background highlights the couple’s fair, white, skin – making it appear very smooth and very young. Connoting maybe, that ‘The American Dream’ and the whole conspicuous consumption image is aimed toward the new, youthful generation. In the final, third segment; there is a pile of dark, cooked spaghetti. This is the only segment to feature color, with the orange Bolognese sauce creating such a tone that the light and dark patches make the painting appear real and true-to-life.

Whereas, ‘President Elect’ featured many fading transitions – juxtaposing the ideas in the painting. The large face of J. F. Kennedy, smiling, emphasizes how he believes that what he is selling is right for the country and it’s economy. The black and white cake being torn apart could further connote how the fat, luxurious items that society offers are ripping society apart – and effecting peoples morals. Lastly, the green/beige car, brought to attention by the contrasting red background, shows again the growth and evolution of society.