Popism (/ˈpɑpɪzəm/) is a word that is spelled phonetically. The word is a noun that refers to an art movement primarily focused on popular culture, such as advertising, comic books, and consumer products. The word is a compound of "pop" and "ism," combining the idea of populism with formalism. Popism began in the 1950s, and its influence can be seen in contemporary art genres such as street art and graffiti. The unique spelling of popism reflects the movement's emphasis on individual expression and deviation from traditional artistic conventions.
Popism is a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s, in response to the growing influence and prominence of popular culture. It encompasses various forms of art, including visual arts, music, fashion, and literature, that draw inspiration from popular and mass-produced culture, such as advertising, consumer products, comic books, films, and television.
The term "popism" is derived from the combination of "popular culture" and "ism," indicating its association with an artistic ideology and movement. Popism seeks to blur the boundaries between high and low culture, challenging traditional notions of artistic elitism and embracing the democratization of art.
Artists associated with popism often incorporate recognizable imagery, bright colors, and repetitive motifs into their works. They may utilize irony, parody, and satire to comment on the mass-produced and commercial nature of popular culture. By appropriating and recontextualizing these elements, popism aims to critique and celebrate the pervasive influence of popular culture in society.
Popism has had a significant impact on various artistic disciplines, influencing the development of pop art, fashion design, music genres like pop and rock, and even the aesthetics of everyday objects. By bringing popular culture into the realm of fine art, popism has challenged traditional artistic conventions and opened up new possibilities for creativity and expression.
The word "popism" is derived from the combination of two individual words: "pop" and "ism".
1. "Pop" is short for "popular" and is derived from the word "popularis" in Latin. It refers to something that is widely favored, liked, or esteemed by the general public. The term "pop" has roots in the 19th century as a colloquial abbreviation and gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly in relation to popular culture or music.
2. "Ism" is a suffix in English derived from the Ancient Greek "-ismos" and indicates a particular doctrine, theory, or belief system. It is often appended to a base word to form nouns related to a specific ideology or movement. Examples of other "ism" words include capitalism, socialism, feminism, etc.