Contemporary Synthesis

ash.p3.t8

(Victoria Carlos, Taci Chin-Robinson, Grace Giberson, Joshua Roquemore, Katie Whitworth)

Define "pop culture" and explain how certain examples of art--you choose at least one example from dance, music, painting, drama (theater), and novel writing--help to define it. What is the sensibility of "pop culture"?

            American pop culture can, for the most part, be referred to as ‘mass culture’. It is the music, dance, art, drama, literature, media, social institutions, etc. that large groups of the present public gravitate towards. Today, pop culture is greatly influenced by pop stars, and movie stars. These individuals are the epicenter of media attention. What these individuals focus on permeates the public, which is both aware in some cases and unaware in others.

            Today pop culture is rapidly evolving through social media. It would be carless not to mention the role of medial outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other sites such as these when referring to popular culture. This is because the driving force behind pop culture’s rapid evolution is the shortening of media’s exposure time, and the ability of advertising to be global. What this means for those people in the ‘eye of the public’ is instant fame or instant misery. The site YouTube has played its part in creating a star or two, for example Colbie Caillat, pop singer, was discovered from her videos she posted of her singing and song writing abilities. The ability of people to use sites like this to enter the difficult world of music is indicative of the contemporary era. What once took years of trial and rejection can happen instantly through the idea of rapid exposure. People want to get noticed. Just as fast as people become successful through this rapid media, they can be targeted. There have been several instances of inappropriate photographs of stars such as Scarlett Johansson circulate through social media. These instances can both damage some people’s careers and public appeal.

            However, the rich and famous are only a small fraction of individuals. Today people are gravitating towards self-promotion, just like famous people have television and movies; regular people (e.g., soccer moms, gym trainers, dads, personal chefs, teens) have the ability to promote their talents through the Internet and social media. Today pop culture is all about the gimmick, the hook, which is going to attract a following. Todays individual whether part of the pop culture troupe or even the counter culture want to attract people who will praise them, agree with them, or simply validate what they are doing.

            Todays pop culture revolves around increasing exposure through technology and attracting praise.