Contemporary Art and Consumption

Term Paper # 107803

Art
Art > Artists

An overview of the theme of consumption in art today with a focus on the work of Michael Ray Charles.

1,167 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the theme of consumption in art today takes many forms, from simple commentary, to celebration, to ridicule and how the use of appropriated techniques and images from a society filled with advertising at every turn within the context of fine art marks a strong trend in late 20th century and current art movements. It looks at how "consumption" is an undeniable theme in modern Western society and in particular, discusses how Michael Ray Charles is simply one of many artists today who successfully navigates the questions of not only the direction such a culture is leading our society, but also his place in that world.

From the Paper:

"Those that choose to define Western society by the trend of consumption and comment upon that society must see this trend as either beneficial, a sign of progress, or see it as superficial and holding people back from more "real" experiences. Charles chooses to criticize this world for the stereotypes it upholds in the name of advertising and sales. His works comment on society's perpetuation of stereotypes of African American and the ridiculousness of a nation that can at the same time both shun and accept its minorities' cultures in an attempt to simply appeal to as many consumers as possible. "

Sample of Sources Used:

"Art: 21, Season One, 4: Consumption," PBS (2005). http://www.pbs.org/art21/series/seasonone/consumption.html# (accessed April 20, 2007).
Rhodes, Henry A. "The Evolution of Rap Music in the United States." Yale-New Haven Teachers Institue (1993), http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/ units/1993/4/93.04.04.x.html (accessed April 20, 2007).
Segal, David. "Uncle Ben, CEO? The strange history of racist spokescharacters," Slate (April 2007). http://www.slate.com/id/2164062 (accessed April 21, 2007).
Siegel, Katy. "Consumption," in Art 21: art in the 21st century, edited by Thelma Golden. New York: H.N. Abrams, 2001.

More papers on Contemporary Art and Consumption:

View more related papers »

Cite this paper

APA Citation:

Contemporary Art and Consumption (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Term-Paper-Contemporary-Art-and-Consumption/107803