Consumerism

Definition

Consumerism is the cultural and economic phenomenon that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. This trend emerged significantly in the post-World War II era, driven by mass production, advertising, and the rise of a consumer-oriented society. It reflects a shift in values where personal identity and social status are often tied to consumption patterns, influencing art movements that engage with commercial imagery and material culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-World War II economic growth led to a surge in consumer spending, transforming societies into consumer-driven cultures.
2. Art movements like Pop Art emerged as a response to consumerism, utilizing commercial imagery to critique or celebrate mass consumption.
3. British and American Pop Art artists reflected the consumer landscape by incorporating everyday products and advertisements into their artwork.
4. Neo-Dada artists challenged traditional artistic values by embracing consumer goods and found objects, blurring the lines between art and commerce.
5. Repetition and seriality in art became methods to reflect the mass production associated with consumer culture, emphasizing the mundane and commonplace.

Review Questions

• How did the rise of consumerism after World War II influence artistic movements like Pop Art?
  • The rise of consumerism after World War II significantly influenced artistic movements such as Pop Art by encouraging artists to incorporate elements of popular culture into their work. Artists used imagery from advertisements, comic strips, and everyday consumer products to reflect on and critique society's obsession with material goods. This blending of high art with commercial imagery served to challenge traditional notions of what art could be and highlighted the pervasive influence of consumer culture.
• Discuss how Neo-Dada artists responded to the principles of consumerism through their use of everyday objects in their works.
  • Neo-Dada artists responded to the principles of consumerism by incorporating everyday objects into their artworks, challenging conventional artistic values. By utilizing found objects, these artists blurred the lines between art and ordinary life, creating works that invited viewers to reconsider their relationship with material goods. This approach not only reflected the growing influence of consumer culture but also served as a critique of the commodification of art itself.
• Evaluate the implications of seriality and repetition in art as a response to mass production and consumerism in the context of American Neo-Expressionism.
  • In American Neo-Expressionism, seriality and repetition were employed as powerful tools to comment on mass production and consumerism. Artists used these techniques to evoke the sense of overload associated with consumer goods while also reintroducing emotional depth and personal narratives into their work. This juxtaposition highlighted a complex relationship between individual expression and a culture dominated by consumption, illustrating how Neo-Expressionists grappled with the effects of a commercialized society on personal identity.

Related terms

Materialism: A focus on the importance of material possessions and physical wealth in shaping an individual's identity and life choices.

Advertising: The practice of promoting products or services to consumers through various media channels, significantly impacting consumer behavior and desires.

Mass Production: The manufacturing of large quantities of standardized products, often using assembly line techniques, which facilitated the rise of consumer culture.