How To Analyze Your Perceptions Of Popular Culture
Popular Culture and the Arts
Student Name
University of Phoenix
ARTS/125-Pop Culture and the Arts Popular Culture and the Arts
The purpose of this paper is to analyze my perceptions of Popular Culture and the Arts. My very own definitions of “art,†“fine art,†“artifacts,†and how they influence my cultural perception of the world will be discussed. My definitions of “culture,†“elite culture,†“pop culture,†“ethnocentrism,†“trend,†“fad,†and how these terms relate to my definition of art will also be discussed.
My definition of “art†is really anything that I, as an individual, find aesthetically pleasing. Art can be a painting, photograph, a song, a lump of clay, an advertisement, etc. Just about anything that someone creates; that someone else is inclined to appreciate and look at can be considered art. “Fine art†transcends art, in that it refines “art.†Fine art demonstrates a deeper focus, or even a specific talent, that an average person may not posses. For example, art might well describe a human stick-figure. However, fine art would describe the painting of a human figure, which …show more content…
expressed more extreme detail, or a specific talent that has much more detail within it. A special focus that is over and above what others may only think to mention. “Popular art,†which is more commonly referred to as “pop art,†is simply the art that is most appreciated by a larger portion of any given population. An “artifact†is term lacking a more precise definition for me. Things that could be mass-produced as a result of some aspect of pop culture, such as a sign, a button, a sticker, etc., could all be considered artifacts. They could incorporate some aspects of art within their composition, but a weak representation of actual art.
The dictionary defines art as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance†(Art, 2009). Shimer College defines fine art as “a term used to distinguish artworks considered to have rare and refined quality, often considered - by those who make such judgments - to be more worthy of preservation and study than “popular†or “low†art†(Shimer College, 2009). Encyclopedia Britannica defines popular art as “any dance, literature, music, theatre, or other art form intended to be received and appreciated by ordinary people in a literate, technologically advanced society dominated by urban culture†(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009). The dictionary defines an artifact as “any mass-produced, usually inexpensive object reflecting contemporary society or popular culture†(artifact, 2009).
The terms of art, fine art, popular art, and artifact, do influence my cultural perception of the world.
There are aspects of art that do identity with a specific culture, like Mexican dress, Mexican music, and even Mexican food. The culture in which I live is a great melting pot of cultures, and as such, I am exposed to mixes and blends of music, dress, food, etc, that all come together to illustrate the culture in which I live. I identify with these aspects of my culture. I have German and Scottish ancestry, but these things are not exactly part of the culture that I identify with. I identify with them as part of my heritage, but find that they are of only minor influence in cultural identity living here in the United
States.
My definition of culture is more or less how people typically dress, believe, the food they like to eat, etc. Living in San Diego as I do, I find that my culture is more heavily influenced by Mexican culture that I have seen in more northern areas of the United States. This means that it isn’t all that uncommon to hear people speaking more Spanglish, eating proportionately more Mexican food, and even adopting more Mexican/Spanish styles (houses with terracotta tiles, etc). I even find that I get along even better by being able to speak some Spanish as well. This is my culture. Elite culture is not something that I feel all that well suited to define. However, I believe that elite culture comprises a culture that is experienced by a smaller group of people. A more elite culture. Lawyers might have more of an elite culture amongst themselves. Pop culture is a much easier term to define personally; it is the culture standards that are most widely accepted within a given population. Ethnocentrism, I believe, is the belief that one’s own race is better than others. A trend would be to follow a given style, or that sort of thing. A fad would be similar to a trend, but it would be far more temporary in nature.
Princeton University’s WordNet defines culture as “all the knowledge and values shared by a society†(Wordnet, 2009). The Louisiana Division of the Arts defines elite culture as “the culture and knowledge handed down, learned, and taught officially through formal institutions such as schools, colleges, museums, and conservatories as opposed to folk or popular culture†(Louisiana Division Of The Arts, 1999). The dictionary defines popular culture as “contemporary lifestyle and items that are well known and generally accepted, cultural patterns that are widespread within a population†(pop culture, 2009). The University of Nebraska Kearny defines Ethnocentrism as “The tendency of most people to use their own way of life as a standard for judging others; now also indicates the belief, on the part of most individuals, that their race, culture, society, etc., are superior to all others†(Unk.edu, 2009). Answers.com defines a trend as “The general direction in which something tends to move†(Answers.com, 2009). The Free Dictionary defines a fad as “an intense but short-lived fashion: the skateboard fad†(The Free Dictionary, 2009).
My own definition of art is not so directly tied to the terms of culture, elite culture, pop culture, ethnocentrism, trend or even fad. I’m sure that they have eave had an influence on my perspectives, but for the most part I feel as though my biggest appreciation for art has come from my parents and my grandfather. Not because of their cultural views, but because they took me to see things that they felt were beautiful and special. I cannot say that these visits with art meant a lot to me at the time, but in a way I think they may have helped to program me. I have an appreciation for art, but not because of my race, or because it is popular, but because it is special and beautiful. Trends and fads happen and die, but I still feel the same way towards what I would deem as real art. Since I endeavor to maintain an open mind, I look to anything new with as little bias as possible. I even tend to shun the very things that seem to scream out a sense of superiority due to the race card being played, because I do not believe that race is a valid factor in the appreciation of art at all. It is little more than a bias, and I truly believe that talent is race-blind.
The real bottom line in all of this is that I believe the world has talented people in it. I believe that they may have biases and otherwise feel the impact of their culture as it is expressed in their art. However, I do not believe that race or culture truly plays such a big part in the appreciation of said art. A trend or fad may bring it to our attention, but is it any less art because of the delivery method? I think not! I do believe that a person’s culture, heritage, etc. is important to remember and reflect upon, but I want to see one world with one people on it, and drawing lines between our differences seeks to do nothing more than divide us. And, that is how I look at art, with the most neutral perspective I can muster. I admire the work and forethought, not whether or not our country is at war with them or not. Drawing lines in the art can certainly “mess up†some beautiful workmanship! References
Answers.Com. (2009). The definitions of "trend". Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Answers Corporation Web site: http://www.answers.com/topic/trend
Dictionary.Com. (2009). Definations of "artifact". Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Dictionary.com, LLC Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/artifact?o=100074
Dictionary.Com. (2009). Definitions of "Art". Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Dictionary.com, LLC Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art?o=100074
Dictionary.Com. (2009). Definitions of "popular culture". Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Dictionary.com, LLC Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/popular+culture
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2009). Definition of fine art. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online Web site: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/470196/popular-art
The Free Dictionary. (2009). Definitions of Fad. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Farlex, Inc. Web site: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/FAD
Louisiana Division Of The Arts. (1999). Louisiana Voices - Glossary. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism Web site: http://www.louisianavoices.org/edu_glossary.html
Shimer College. (2009). Shimer College - Great Books/Great Art - Glossary. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Shimer College, Mount Carroll, Illinois Web site: http://www.shimer.edu/greatbooks_greatart/Glossary.cfm#F_section
Unk.Edu. (2009). Diversity Guide - Definitions and Concepts. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from The University of Nebraska Kearny Web site: http://www.unk.edu/offices/aaeo.aspx?id=1548
Wordnet. (2009). WordNet search for the word "culture". Retrieved August 1, 2009, from The Trustees of Princeton University Web site: http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=culture
Student Name
University of Phoenix
ARTS/125-Pop Culture and the Arts Popular Culture and the Arts
The purpose of this paper is to analyze my perceptions of Popular Culture and the Arts. My very own definitions of “art,†“fine art,†“artifacts,†and how they influence my cultural perception of the world will be discussed. My definitions of “culture,†“elite culture,†“pop culture,†“ethnocentrism,†“trend,†“fad,†and how these terms relate to my definition of art will also be discussed.
My definition of “art†is really anything that I, as an individual, find aesthetically pleasing. Art can be a painting, photograph, a song, a lump of clay, an advertisement, etc. Just about anything that someone creates; that someone else is inclined to appreciate and look at can be considered art. “Fine art†transcends art, in that it refines “art.†Fine art demonstrates a deeper focus, or even a specific talent, that an average person may not posses. For example, art might well describe a human stick-figure. However, fine art would describe the painting of a human figure, which …show more content…
expressed more extreme detail, or a specific talent that has much more detail within it. A special focus that is over and above what others may only think to mention. “Popular art,†which is more commonly referred to as “pop art,†is simply the art that is most appreciated by a larger portion of any given population. An “artifact†is term lacking a more precise definition for me. Things that could be mass-produced as a result of some aspect of pop culture, such as a sign, a button, a sticker, etc., could all be considered artifacts. They could incorporate some aspects of art within their composition, but a weak representation of actual art.
The dictionary defines art as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance†(Art, 2009). Shimer College defines fine art as “a term used to distinguish artworks considered to have rare and refined quality, often considered - by those who make such judgments - to be more worthy of preservation and study than “popular†or “low†art†(Shimer College, 2009). Encyclopedia Britannica defines popular art as “any dance, literature, music, theatre, or other art form intended to be received and appreciated by ordinary people in a literate, technologically advanced society dominated by urban culture†(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009). The dictionary defines an artifact as “any mass-produced, usually inexpensive object reflecting contemporary society or popular culture†(artifact, 2009).
The terms of art, fine art, popular art, and artifact, do influence my cultural perception of the world.
There are aspects of art that do identity with a specific culture, like Mexican dress, Mexican music, and even Mexican food. The culture in which I live is a great melting pot of cultures, and as such, I am exposed to mixes and blends of music, dress, food, etc, that all come together to illustrate the culture in which I live. I identify with these aspects of my culture. I have German and Scottish ancestry, but these things are not exactly part of the culture that I identify with. I identify with them as part of my heritage, but find that they are of only minor influence in cultural identity living here in the United
States.
My definition of culture is more or less how people typically dress, believe, the food they like to eat, etc. Living in San Diego as I do, I find that my culture is more heavily influenced by Mexican culture that I have seen in more northern areas of the United States. This means that it isn’t all that uncommon to hear people speaking more Spanglish, eating proportionately more Mexican food, and even adopting more Mexican/Spanish styles (houses with terracotta tiles, etc). I even find that I get along even better by being able to speak some Spanish as well. This is my culture. Elite culture is not something that I feel all that well suited to define. However, I believe that elite culture comprises a culture that is experienced by a smaller group of people. A more elite culture. Lawyers might have more of an elite culture amongst themselves. Pop culture is a much easier term to define personally; it is the culture standards that are most widely accepted within a given population. Ethnocentrism, I believe, is the belief that one’s own race is better than others. A trend would be to follow a given style, or that sort of thing. A fad would be similar to a trend, but it would be far more temporary in nature.
Princeton University’s WordNet defines culture as “all the knowledge and values shared by a society†(Wordnet, 2009). The Louisiana Division of the Arts defines elite culture as “the culture and knowledge handed down, learned, and taught officially through formal institutions such as schools, colleges, museums, and conservatories as opposed to folk or popular culture†(Louisiana Division Of The Arts, 1999). The dictionary defines popular culture as “contemporary lifestyle and items that are well known and generally accepted, cultural patterns that are widespread within a population†(pop culture, 2009). The University of Nebraska Kearny defines Ethnocentrism as “The tendency of most people to use their own way of life as a standard for judging others; now also indicates the belief, on the part of most individuals, that their race, culture, society, etc., are superior to all others†(Unk.edu, 2009). Answers.com defines a trend as “The general direction in which something tends to move†(Answers.com, 2009). The Free Dictionary defines a fad as “an intense but short-lived fashion: the skateboard fad†(The Free Dictionary, 2009).
My own definition of art is not so directly tied to the terms of culture, elite culture, pop culture, ethnocentrism, trend or even fad. I’m sure that they have eave had an influence on my perspectives, but for the most part I feel as though my biggest appreciation for art has come from my parents and my grandfather. Not because of their cultural views, but because they took me to see things that they felt were beautiful and special. I cannot say that these visits with art meant a lot to me at the time, but in a way I think they may have helped to program me. I have an appreciation for art, but not because of my race, or because it is popular, but because it is special and beautiful. Trends and fads happen and die, but I still feel the same way towards what I would deem as real art. Since I endeavor to maintain an open mind, I look to anything new with as little bias as possible. I even tend to shun the very things that seem to scream out a sense of superiority due to the race card being played, because I do not believe that race is a valid factor in the appreciation of art at all. It is little more than a bias, and I truly believe that talent is race-blind.
The real bottom line in all of this is that I believe the world has talented people in it. I believe that they may have biases and otherwise feel the impact of their culture as it is expressed in their art. However, I do not believe that race or culture truly plays such a big part in the appreciation of said art. A trend or fad may bring it to our attention, but is it any less art because of the delivery method? I think not! I do believe that a person’s culture, heritage, etc. is important to remember and reflect upon, but I want to see one world with one people on it, and drawing lines between our differences seeks to do nothing more than divide us. And, that is how I look at art, with the most neutral perspective I can muster. I admire the work and forethought, not whether or not our country is at war with them or not. Drawing lines in the art can certainly “mess up†some beautiful workmanship! References
Answers.Com. (2009). The definitions of "trend". Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Answers Corporation Web site: http://www.answers.com/topic/trend
Dictionary.Com. (2009). Definations of "artifact". Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Dictionary.com, LLC Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/artifact?o=100074
Dictionary.Com. (2009). Definitions of "Art". Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Dictionary.com, LLC Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art?o=100074
Dictionary.Com. (2009). Definitions of "popular culture". Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Dictionary.com, LLC Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/popular+culture
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2009). Definition of fine art. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online Web site: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/470196/popular-art
The Free Dictionary. (2009). Definitions of Fad. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Farlex, Inc. Web site: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/FAD
Louisiana Division Of The Arts. (1999). Louisiana Voices - Glossary. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism Web site: http://www.louisianavoices.org/edu_glossary.html
Shimer College. (2009). Shimer College - Great Books/Great Art - Glossary. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from Shimer College, Mount Carroll, Illinois Web site: http://www.shimer.edu/greatbooks_greatart/Glossary.cfm#F_section
Unk.Edu. (2009). Diversity Guide - Definitions and Concepts. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from The University of Nebraska Kearny Web site: http://www.unk.edu/offices/aaeo.aspx?id=1548
Wordnet. (2009). WordNet search for the word "culture". Retrieved August 1, 2009, from The Trustees of Princeton University Web site: http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=culture