Task 02: Descriptive Analysis

There is a large volume of published Graphic design in the commercial industry. This paper will explore the descriptive analysis, contextual and theoretical studies of visual Graphic design, to identify the role of popular culture.

L.H.O.O.Q by Marcel Dunchamp, is an example of reproduction within popular culture. L.H.O.O.Q was produced in 1919, where the artist changed the original painting (Mona Lisa by Leonardo de Vinci) by adding a moustache and beard in pencil. This is influenced through graffiti culture, a developed culture in the modern day. The name of the piece is a pun, pronounced ‘Elle a chaud au cul’ which means ‘she is hot in the arse’. This makes the audience more aware of the subject matter.

The use of humor mimics the concept of woman’s rights. The contrast of conflict; how women was perceived in the 16^th century juxtaposed to the 20^th century. The artist explored gender reversal to act as an unexpected purpose. This then leads to the response of the audience acting in a humor manner addressing an open-minded response. This backs up William (1976) theory of people becoming more open minded.

Due to society becoming more open minded this stems to an open interpretation of meaning. Barthes (1968) suggests how Semiology is applied to mythology; myths being perceived as a factual system, when in fact, meanings are up for interpretations. This leads to issues about meaning, what people recognize and what they communicate from a set piece.

This image is then applied to the commercial industry where it can be reproduced to achieve income. This then results to the economy becoming more commercialized through popular culture. This is stated through Walter Benjamin (1973) theory on famous paintings being introduced into the commercial industry. Walter Benjamin (1973) also discusses the conflict between popular art is the concept of disrespect towards the initial painting; the respect of the art is lost through the commercial advertisement to gain income.

In the modern day, technology has played a role of reproducing images to create them to become more commercialized. In this case, Leonardo’s rights for Mona Lisa has expired, therefore artists have interpreted the painting in their own way. This leads to Goodwin (1991) theory on sampling; technology develops images to create a pastiche outcome. However, Cornel West (2009) argues this case explaining how work is being developing from pulling aspects from the past and present.

Source 2 reveals how popular culture is explored through contemporary branding. An example of this is ‘The XX’ branding logo. The logo was designed by an art student and Romy Madley Croft, a member of ‘The XX’. The design includes a creative, original material to indicate a fresh feel. The branding explores using negative and positive layout. The designer has played with clarity through the use of white.  This is done to create an angelic, subtle approach. The typeface for the letter ‘X’ is a Bold San-Serif typeface which is used for a more contemporary, modern, approach. The use of the type being singular with a larger scale, suggests intimidation and individuality towards the brand. This supports William (1976) theory on individuality and independency, not relying on a set group.  The designer has also established this through using space to address clarity. This has created a memorable effect towards the brand.

The XX is a band formed in 2005, formed in England, London. The music produced is Indie pop and electric Rock. This supports Cornel West’s theory of reproducing music which was once popular. For instance, rock music was popular during the 1960s, this has developed into the 21^st Century through ‘The XX’ creating music which includes Rock and Indie music to create a new genre.

Another way of how the Rock Industry has developed into pop culture is through magazines. For instance, Rolling Stone is an American biweekly magazine which focuses on pop culture. The magazine was first known for its musical coverage inspired by rock. The magazine was founded in 1967, during this time period, rock was the main aspect of popular culture. However, in 1990, the magazine branched out to other segments: television shows, film, actors and popular music. To the company branching out reveals the development through popular culture. Perhaps due to other interests being developed, popular culture has become more diverse due to societies becoming more open minded, this supports William (1976) theory on mass culture.

Source 3 is an example of a contemporary cover by Rolling Stones magazines, released in the 21^st century. The use of the type being blocked out perhaps shows how popular culture has developed, as the typeface is used in context for the Rock genre. The colour red is used for rebellion as the rock genre emphasised this association.

The cover includes a celebrity which is well-known in the music industry. This supports Barthes (1915-1980) theory on role models. This relates to popular culture, as in the modern day, people need the idea of perfection, a heroic role model of making things right in human affairs. This theory is shown through the composition layout being centred. The use of role model covering the title of rolling stones reveals the development of popular culture. This shows the person has high status compared to the magazine itself. Perhaps this shows how one thing may be popular today but may not be popular tomorrow. 

To conclude, perhaps education has played a role of creating awareness and to help produce mass culture being an open-minded way of life. Therefore, people appear more individual and how society does not keep a set structure of classification. This then leads to the concept of Aesthetics through trends. The conflict with aesthetics is the worry things may go out of trend. To resolve this issue, the commercial industry has introduced sampling which relives trends which have died out. This is shown through the Rolling stones magazine, developing the company to fit into modern day popular culture. Popular culture has expanded due to developed interests, society allows this through mass culture being more individual and open-minded.

Bibliography 

Source 1: 

Source 2:

Source 3:

Harison, R (1998) Mass Communication: Living in a Media World.

Striate, D (1994) The Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture second edition,  New York: Rutledge

Storey, J (2012) Cultural Theory and Popular culture an introduction sixth edition, Pearson

Friske, J (1998) Understanding Popular Culture,  New York: Routledge

Barthes, R (1968) Elements of semiology, New York: Macmillan

Goodwin, A (1991) Popular music and postmodern theory, Cultural studies