ARTE POP!

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Warhol and the Beginning

Despite the focal center of art residing and sourcing from Italy’s great painters, to study and understand Pop Art requires understanding roots that are not in Italy but in the man who made the work famous - Andy Warhol.

Famous for his rich use of color, and iconic portraiture and advertising work, Warhol brough the Pop Art movement to the notice of art fans and art critics worldwide. Though Pop Art was seen as a lesser art form, and though many pop art pieces were critiqued for being too disturbing, weird, etc, Warhol made the art graspable and popular across the globe.

But Warhol was not just famous for his extensive works of famous celebrities at the time, but also for his work on more commercial pieces utilizing every day life. He breathed color and imagination into otherwise “boring” every day things; and, his commercial work continue to popularize the vivid colors and creative color application that he made so famous in the Pop World.

Andy Warhol is the man who made Pop Art famous; thus, no study of Pop Art, Italian or not, would be complete with a look at the man who brought the art to the world and made them look. Depicted below is his Self Portrait (1986)

-Shay

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One of my favorite Pop Art pieces! Gotta love the Jack Nicholson Joker!

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Elena Rappa

Ci sono molte donne artistiche nel mondo dell’arte pop! :) Elena Rappa, a very popular pop artist of Italy, paints a very dark picture contrasting with the typical Pop Art style - she uses other methods than vivid colors to create the juxtapositions in meaning of her work. 

The above work is one of my favorite pieces by Rappa. Rather than vivid colors, she utilizes (what some would call) “creepy” depictions of objects in disproportionate sizes, colors, and even disconcerting figures themselves. Her use of the large heads for all 3 of figures in the painting are common of her work as she is an artist who has articulated a love of faces and what they can do in art (and in life). The long tongue is transfigured by its end, transforming into a long fingered hand reaching out, or even running away. The doll-like woman in the background is wearing simple black and white, but her body’s proportions give her an off-putting vibe.  Even the background of her painting is conflicted. The weather behind devolves from a beautiful bluey mixtures into a dark black cloud of smoke by the time it stretches across to the doll-like woman. This kind of chaos in the background represents a chaotic framework for Pop Artists today - the long lasting struggle to prove to the “high art” aficionados (art snobs?) that Pop Art deserves an equal place in the art world.

Another example of her disturbing work, Elena Rappa her manipulates the head of this creature to be a cross between a human and a rabbit. Though both a rabbit and a woman are subjects that could be very cute and charming, her dark combination is quite scary and disturbing - a statement in itself. Additionally, look for the manipulation in the long ears above the creature’s head (it ends but it doesn’t end!) -Shay

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Duty Gorn (si chiama Guido Dutygorn adesso) e’ un artista chi ha iniziato la sua carriera come un artista della strada di “graffiti” a Milano.  Gorn lavora con acrilico e tempera e la sua specialita’ e’ rappresentando la forma delle donne, specificamente la faccia e i labbri per rievocare la sensualita’ e l’eleganza tra le rapprasentazioni, con influenza da artiste come Andy Wharhol.  La sua stile di pittura rappresenta la donna moderna in un modo surreale ma anche naturalistico, caratteristico e distintivo dell’arte di Gorn e la mentalita’ “Milanese.” Anche, c’e’ una seguenza ed evoluzione all’arte di Gorn, cominciando con il suo fulcro in arte con i colori e tratti piu’ realistici a quelli dipinti che sono influenzato da Warhol, con molti colori differenti e vivaci. Guido particolarmente piace lavorare con le parti delle faccie delle donne che rievocare emozioni senzuali, con colori forti come giallo, rosso, blu, nero, bianca e verde.

Gorn’s “Touch” (April 2014)

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For an emerging group of young Italian artists, the possibility of new direction, away from the last two decades of pop art, springs from an unlikely source. The so-called “LowBrow” movement which emerged in California in the 1990’s has gained momentum despite the criticisms it has received from the fine art establishment.  It is a movement whose most intriguing scions is pop surrealism, a darkly gothic fusion of commercial and pop iconography.  For opponents of the NewBrow aesthetic in general, it is the disregard for the lack of conceptual depth that differentiates the genre from “sophisticated production.” Despite its commentary on contemporary lifestyle, and those who prefer their art layered with meaning, NewBrow more straightforwardly produces one-liners.  The neo-Pop ethos of NewBrow, full of modern angst, claims to depict the world as it has increasingly become: a welter of pop cultural referents which its artists regard with profound unease. Couple this with pop surrealism’s gothic sensibilities ad the predilection for the dysmorphic, grotesque and unsettling, this interest echoes a note in recent Italian art seen in artists such as Silvia Argiolas.  Argiolas’ paintings fuse the unsettling quintessence of U.S. pop surrealism with a distinctly European heritage.  “Arcadian landscapes provide an unlikely habitat for Martian-faced beings; expressionists traces emerge in loosely rendered technicolor backdrops laden with symbol.”

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La Scuola di Piazza del Popolo was an artistic movement with roots in Rome during the ‘60s that was begun by artists Mario Schifano, Giosetta Fioroni, Tano Festa and others who frequented the Caffè Rosati a Piazza del Popolo or the Galleria della Tartaruga di Plinio de Martiis. Mario Schifano (pictured above, left) was the prominent member of the group; his first craft considered pop being Koka-Kola (1961) and Coca-Cola (1967, pictured above, right).  For Mario the painted surface never protrudes into three dimensions, rather it is considered a “screen” which reflects the modern world was he sees it, including advertisements, memories, and political propaganda.                                                                                 -landon 04/13

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Duty Gorn, “Touch” (April 2014) 

Duty Gorn (formally known as Guido Dutygorn) is an Italian artist who originally began his career as a graffiti street artist in Milan, Italy.  Gorn primarily works with acrylics and tempera and specializes in representing the female form and especially the face to evoke sensuality and elegance through the images, gathering inspiration from artists such as Andy Wharhol.  His urbanized and “Milanese” style of painting depicts the modern urban woman in a surreal yet naturalistic fashion, typical and distinctive of Gorn’s art and the Milanese mentality.  There has been a progression and evolution to Gorn’s work as well, beginning with his focus on more realistic traits and colors to works which are heavily influenced by Warhol, with the superposition of colors within the paintings. Guido particularly focuses on the parts of women’s faces which evoke sensual feelings, highlighted with bold colors such as yellow, red, blue, black and white and green.  

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Pop Surrealism with Modern Italian Painters

PAOLO DE BIASI

Paolo de Biasi’s artistry features a signature combination of retro and vintage style imagery flavored with the sizzling color the helps define the Pop Art genre. Well executed decoration, with a graphic nuanced edge, Paolo de Biasi embodies the Pop Art vibe expressed by Italy’s up-and-coming painters.

VANNI CUOGHI

Utilizing modern reference to pop culture icons like Batman, Robin, or Queen of Hearts, Cuoghi exudes a darker style. Her works often feature suffering characters, torture, and even devious punishment stemming from storybook and fairy tale sources. As one of Pop Art’s defining characteristics is to turn expectations around, Cuoghi’s work enjoys the juxtaposition of using well known figures in his work. The work is only as powerful as the references’ relevance remains. 

GIUSEPPE VENEZIANO

Another Italian Pop Artist who utilizes newer references in his work, Giuseppe Veneziano uses the medium to systematically mock those icons and the culture of society’s expectations. His references range from comic book heroes participating in common illegal activities (doing drugs) to a classical Modonna donned in camo gear. Veneziano has a particular liking of Spiderman, using him in many of his works (as depicted below).

Though there are numerous examples of incredible works of pop art by many great Italians going back to the birth of the pop art phenomenon that hit Italy in the 1950s, there are numerous talented artists still maturing in the pop surrealist field today. Their work reflects the mindset of the current generation, the dependence and mockery of pop culture and its power, as well as the need for unique expression. These artists are some of the greats emerging in Italy’s Neo Pop Surrealist and Pop Art movement. -Shay

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Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise are a set of bronze doors that were made for the Florence Baptistery and took the celebrated Italian artist 27 years to complete. The doors that depict Old Testament scenes on 10 panels were finally installed in 1452 and profoundly influenced his contemporaries as well as the next generation of Italian Renaissance artists. The Gates of Paradise that are today admired in the Baptistery, however, are a copy. The original Ghiberti’s doors are held in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo that is located just a few steps from the Baptistery. "The Gates of Paradise" is a major monument of the age of Renaissance humanism.

Lorenzo Ghiberti was a Florentine Italian artist of the Early Renaissance best known as the creator of the bronze doors of the Florence Baptistery, called by Michelangelo the Gates of Paradise. Ghiberti was born in Pelago, 20 km from Florence. His father was Bartoluccio Ghiberti, an artist and goldsmith, who trained his son in goldsmithing.Ghiberti was commissioned to produce a second set for another doorway in the church, this time with scenes from the Old Testament, as originally intended for his first set. Instead of twenty-eight scenes, he produced ten rectangular scenes in a completely different style.They were more naturalistic, with perspective and a greater idealization of the subject.

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The most famous artwork by Sandro Botticelli and one of the greatest masterpieces of Early Italian Renaissance art depicts the goddess Venus emerging from the sea on a sea shell. The nude Venus who shyly covers her breasts and genitals in the style of Venus Pudica is blown by two wind gods to the shore where she is awaited by a nymph with a cloak. The painting is thought to represent the beauty of love in the Neoplatonic sense. The Birth of Venus was created for the Medici between 1482 and 1485 and just like Botticelli’s Spring, it can be admired in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.The Early Italian Renaissance art refers to an artistic movement that started in Florence and other rich north Italian cities in the early 15th century and marked the beginning of a major cultural change in Europe. The Early Italian Renaissance artists began to show an increased interest in the beauty of the nature and human body as portrayed in classical antiquity.

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What makes Italy relevant in today’s society? Is it the classical sculptures and paintings of Brunelleschi and Michelangelo that define Italy as a cultural icon or is it so much more?  “I want to be Italian” is a work by Anthony Moman, a London-born Italian painter, who represents through his work the ironic criticisms of contemporary society.  In this piece, Moman attempts to mock Italian society by showing a man and a woman (half-dressed) riding a vespa with the Italian flag as a backdrop, demonstrating a provocative and stereotypical representation of who Italians are within their society.  This is a perfect example of the surrealism that pop art tends to encompass, a trend that is a juxtaposition against the classical idea of “proper” art that we normally associate with Italian society.  This type of art is specifically what our digital story will seek to explore, to show that Italian pop art is progressive and ever-changing and not bound by classical constraints.

#sasha

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Jay: Forte, potente e completo capace!

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Jay

Ciao, mi chiamo è Jay. Sono di Dallas e una studentessa di UT in Austin. Ho scelto Arte Popo come il mio tema perché è universale e tutti possono riferirsi ad esso in qualche modo o forma. Musica e film in un sacco di modo di modo ci conduce tutti insieme attraverso attività quali la musica/film festival, concerti, discoteche, feste ecc. Nessuno di questi luoghi o spazi potesse esistere senza musica. Pop art è una grande forma di espressione e consentire molte persone, la libertà di espressione come si sentono, se è triste, arrabbiato, felice o pippo.

Sono una doppia specializzazione in sociologia e Studi afro-americani. Ho scelto di grandi in sociologia perché mi piace imparare come la società funziona e conoscere tutti i ruoli che noi come popolo di questa società. Mi piace conoscere nuove culture e i loro costumi e dei valori e imparare come loro società struttura lavora. Sociologia ci insegna come visualizzare la società e di interpretare le cose da prospettive diverse. HO scelto Studi afro-americani come la mia seconda grande soprattutto per saperne di più circa la mia storia. Trovare informazioni sulla mia cultura e la storia che abilita.

L'italiano è importante oggi come lo è stato mai perché è sempre più diversificata oggi che mai prima. Noi (U. S) hanno adottato un sacco di cose della cultura italiana come il loro cibo, moda, arte, film e musica e incorporato nella nostra. Prendiamo in prestito, imparare e prendere il via con una partita tra di loro. Italiano approvvigiona a perché la U. S è molto diversificata. Essa svolge un ruolo importante nel perché abbiamo un suono diverso nella nostra musica, uno stile diverso nei nostri vestiti, squisite esperienze nei nostri alimenti e bella tecnica.

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Piacere! - Landon

Sono un tecnico computer e uno studente a UT dove studio economia e governo.  Mi piace economia e studiare economia perchè è la studia di uomo facendo gli affari di vita, e governo è il mezzo con cui i principi di economia sono applicati.  Con le due, spero di avere una prospettiva apprezzabile di vita.

Abbiamo scelto arte perchè è una buona finestra da cui apprezzare la cultura Italiana, la storia di Italia, e l'impressione che Italia fa sul mondo.  Abbiamo preferito pop arte perché si dovrebbe trovare ad essere più rilevante per la nostra generazione.

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Ciao! -Shay

Ciao & Piacere! Mi chiamo Shay e sono di Dallas. Sono una studentessa di UT in Austin e sto studiando la pubblicità. Perché la pubblicità? Io sono un comunicatore creativo e un innovatore competitivo. Mi piace l’arte, la scrittura, e gli affari - la pubblicità li ha tutti!

Perché L’Arte Pop? A mio parere, l'arte è eterna. Pop Art, in particolare, è il riflesso di modernità in un mondo senza tempo (il mondo dell'arte). Mi piace il colore dell’arte pop, il suo contrasto vivido, ei temi e le idee che stanno dietro l’arte. L’Arte Pop ha il suo sapore unico e sono desiderosi di esplorare in una cultura conosciuta per la grande arte – Italia!

Perché italiana rilevante oggi come in passato? Italia è molte cose – l’arte, l’architettura, il commercio, il cibo, la scienza, l’ingegneria, la tradizione, la moderna, - e questo è il motivo perché l’Italia sarà sempre rilevante. Italia e le sue passioni sono senza tempo – e cosi è lo studio di Italia e le sue passioni.

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Sasha

L'Italia e' rilevante oggi perche' e' piu' della sua "missione" o l'idea che noi abbiamo di esso. E' importante di sapere che l'Italia abbia i suoi problemi come tutti e quindi dovremmo lasciare i stereotipi per realizzare che non siamo cosi diverso di loro.

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Sasha

Studio l'antropologia e la storia dell'arte all'universita'.  Ho scelto questi corsi di studio ovviamente perche' mi piace la storia della gente e l'arte che ha creato.  L'studio dell'arte puo' mostrare come era la cultura di una popolazione e come la gente ha vissuto nella vita.