The Pictures Generation

Definition

The Pictures Generation refers to a group of American artists who emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, known for their critical approach to image culture and appropriation. These artists utilized photography, video, and other media to comment on the influence of mass media and the pervasive nature of images in contemporary society, challenging traditional notions of originality and authorship.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Artists associated with the Pictures Generation include Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, and Barbara Kruger, each exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and consumer culture.
2. The movement emerged during a time of significant changes in media technology, including the rise of television and advertising, which profoundly impacted visual culture.
3. These artists often employed techniques such as collage and re-photography, highlighting the constructed nature of images and questioning their validity.
4. The Pictures Generation challenged the idea that art must be an original creation by instead embracing appropriation as a valid form of artistic expression.
5. The work produced by this generation laid the groundwork for contemporary discussions around authorship, copyright, and the role of art in an image-saturated world.

Review Questions

• How did the Pictures Generation challenge traditional notions of originality in art?
  • The Pictures Generation challenged traditional notions of originality by embracing appropriation as a fundamental part of their artistic practice. Artists like Cindy Sherman and Richard Prince used existing images from popular culture to create new works that redefined their context and meaning. This approach questioned the idea that art must be a unique creation, instead suggesting that all images are interconnected within a larger cultural dialogue.
• Discuss the role of media technology in shaping the themes explored by artists in the Pictures Generation.
  • Media technology played a crucial role in shaping the themes explored by the Pictures Generation artists. The rise of television, advertising, and photographic reproduction created a landscape saturated with images, influencing how individuals perceived themselves and society. Artists responded to this saturation by critiquing the impact of mass media on identity formation and consumer culture, often using techniques that reflected the fragmented nature of media representation.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of the Pictures Generation on contemporary art practices regarding appropriation and image culture.
  • The Pictures Generation has had a lasting impact on contemporary art practices by redefining how artists engage with appropriation and image culture. Their work opened up discussions around copyright, authorship, and the authenticity of images in an increasingly digital world. This generation's exploration of how images can be recontextualized continues to influence modern artists who grapple with similar themes, making their contributions vital to understanding current artistic dialogues around visual representation.

Related terms

Appropriation Art: A movement where artists recontextualize existing imagery, often from popular culture or art history, to create new meanings and challenge concepts of originality.

Postmodernism: An artistic and cultural movement characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, often emphasizing irony, playfulness, and the blending of styles.

Media Saturation: A condition in which individuals are inundated with a constant stream of media messages, leading to the questioning of the authenticity and impact of these images.