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 visual culture through the use of appropriation, pastiche, and intertextuality. This movement challenged traditional notions of originality and authorship by recontextualizing images from mass media, advertising, and art history, thereby questioning the role of representation in contemporary society. By drawing on and remixing existing visual content, these artists explored themes such as identity, consumerism, and the impact of media on perception.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Key artists associated with The Pictures Generation include Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, Barbara Kruger, and David Salle, all of whom utilized photography and other media to critique consumer culture.
2. The movement emerged in response to the rise of mass media and the increasing saturation of images in everyday life during the late 20th century.
3. Cindy Sherman's work often involved self-portraiture where she transformed herself into various characters, challenging notions of identity and gender roles.
4. Richard Prince's rephotography technique involved taking existing photographs and presenting them as his own, raising questions about authorship and originality.
5. The Pictures Generation has influenced subsequent art movements by paving the way for contemporary practices that continue to explore issues of representation and cultural commentary.

Review Questions

• How did The Pictures Generation challenge traditional views on authorship and originality in art?
  • The Pictures Generation challenged traditional views on authorship and originality by embracing appropriation as a core practice. Artists like Richard Prince and Cindy Sherman recontextualized existing images from popular culture, effectively blurring the lines between original creation and reinterpretation. This approach highlighted the idea that all art is influenced by prior works, thus questioning the very notion of individual artistic ownership and authenticity.
• Discuss how appropriation in The Pictures Generation reflects broader social issues related to consumerism and identity.
  • Appropriation in The Pictures Generation reflects broader social issues by critiquing the commodification of culture in a consumer-driven society. Artists used familiar imagery from advertising and mass media to expose the artificiality behind constructed identities and societal norms. By reframing these images, they revealed how consumer culture shapes our perceptions of self and others, prompting viewers to reconsider their own roles within this visual landscape.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of The Pictures Generation on contemporary art practices concerning media and representation.
  • The Pictures Generation has had a lasting impact on contemporary art practices by establishing a framework for understanding media's influence on representation. Their methods of appropriation and pastiche continue to resonate with current artists who similarly engage with visual culture. This movement opened up dialogues around authenticity, identity, and the role of images in shaping reality, leading to innovative approaches that challenge viewers to critically engage with the media they consume.

Related terms

Appropriation:

The practice of borrowing and reusing images or styles from existing artworks or media to create new meanings or commentary.

Pastiche: A work that imitates the style or character of other works, often as a form of homage or critique.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other, shaping meanings in literature and visual arts.