Consumer culture

Definition

Consumer culture refers to a societal framework where the acquisition of goods and services is driven by the desire for social status and identity. This culture emerged prominently in the postwar period, as economic growth and technological advancements led to an increase in mass production and mass consumption. It has profound implications on art and society, influencing the way artists engage with industrial materials, serial production, performance art, and the return to figuration in their works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Consumer culture significantly influenced the development of seriality in art, where artists began to produce works that echoed the mass production of consumer goods.
2. The use of industrial materials in art reflects the integration of consumer culture into artistic practices, highlighting the relationship between art and everyday objects.
3. Endurance performance art often comments on consumer culture by challenging the audience's perception of value, time, and physicality within a commodified context.
4. The return to figuration in contemporary art can be seen as a response to consumer culture, where artists re-engage with representational forms that reflect personal or societal narratives tied to consumption.
5. Consumer culture raises questions about authenticity and originality in art, as artists navigate the balance between creating unique expressions versus engaging with mass-produced aesthetics.

Review Questions

• How does consumer culture influence the practice of seriality in contemporary art?
  • Consumer culture drives the practice of seriality by encouraging artists to replicate forms and concepts akin to mass production. This approach reflects a broader societal fascination with abundance and repetition found in consumer goods. Artists utilize seriality to comment on issues like commodification and mass consumption, blurring the lines between fine art and commercial products.
• In what ways do industrial materials used in art highlight the relationship between consumer culture and societal values?
  • The incorporation of industrial materials in art serves as a direct reflection of consumer culture by using everyday items that are commonly associated with mass production. This choice emphasizes the values of durability, accessibility, and functionality within society. It also prompts viewers to reconsider their relationship with these materials—how they signify both utility and aesthetic value within a consumer-driven landscape.
• Evaluate how endurance performance art critiques aspects of consumer culture while engaging with audiences.
  • Endurance performance art critiques consumer culture by challenging conventional notions of time, value, and experience that are often dictated by consumption patterns. Performers engage audiences through extended actions that highlight themes such as struggle, vulnerability, and identity—drawing attention to how these experiences are often overshadowed by material pursuits. This form of art encourages deeper contemplation on what constitutes meaningful engagement beyond mere consumption.

Related terms

Materialism: A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual or intellectual values.

Mass Production: The manufacturing of large quantities of standardized products, often using assembly line techniques, which became prominent during the industrial revolution.

Pop Art: An art movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by its use of imagery from popular culture and consumer goods, reflecting and critiquing consumer culture.