Post-Modern Era Synthesis Question
Sigmund Freud was a notable psychoanalyst who lived during the post-modern era. His contributions to science included several aspects of the subconscious, one of these being the discovery of Id, ego, and Superego. By describing the human’s unconscious wants and desires, Freud was able to establish a balance between the cravings and strict regulations in people’s lives. Similarly, artists Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol wanted to find a balance between their struggles and/or desires as well.
Andy Warhol was known for his contributions to pop art. As one of his staples, Warhol was constantly incorporating different celebrities in his artwork due to his fascination with Hollywood glamour. His infatuation was so great that he said, “I love Hollywood… Everything’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.” Tying in with Freud’s definitions, Warhol realized his Id and his desire to roam through life as a “plastic” Hollywood star. However, he realized it was irrational. Through his artwork, he was influenced by his subconscious Id to portray aspects of life that he found beautiful and desirable.
With Jackson Pollock, the influences of Freud were directly related to his behavior. As an alcoholic, Pollock underwent psychotherapy, and his doctor later encouraged Pollock to draw and make art as a way of release. Many of these theories and practices that Pollock’s doctor used derived from Freud’s original thoughts and conclusions. Due to this, Freud influenced Pollock, and many of Freud’s concepts were revealed in his art.
Both Warhol and Pollock were able to grasp Freud’s ideas towards the subconscious and fittingly, subconsciously incorporated these beliefs in their art. Warhol’s art emphasized the “Id” factor as he played upon his desires while Pollock’s art emphasized the release of his bottled emotions as he was trying to suppress his own “Id,” which was alcoholism.
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