The Shawn Huckins series called 'The American__Tier' uses classic 19th century American paintings in conjunction with 21st century slang to create a series of juxtaposed prints.
He replicates the paintings by hand, then superimposes them by hand with white paint. Miraculously enough, unlike most artist these days, Huckins steers clear of any aid from Photoshop. The text that appears on the photos was inspired by our present day vocabulary including everything form status updates to texting acronyms.
If our forefathers were around to see the change in jargon defined and inspired by pop culture, what would they say? They'd probably be a little confused at first, but they'd quickly catch on. If Oxford dictionary recognizes 'selfie' as a word, then surely they can to. According to Huckins, "We live in a very different time than our Explorers did and we would appear to place our priorities in very different places: what entertains our selves versus what serves our society"
Pop Culture Slang Paintings
Shawn Huckins' Series Uses Jargon & History to Create a Funny Contrast
Trend Themes
1. Juxtaposed Art - The use of classic paintings with modern slang creates a contrast that captures attention and sparks conversations.
2. Incorporating Pop Culture - The integration of present-day vocabulary and pop culture references adds a relatable and contemporary element to traditional art forms.
3. Reviving Historical Art - Bringing historical paintings to the forefront by reimagining them with modern context revitalizes interest in traditional art styles.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Artists and designers can explore the concept of juxtaposing different eras and cultural references to create unique and thought-provoking pieces.
2. Pop Culture and Entertainment - Pop culture influencers and content creators can collaborate with artists to create visually appealing and engaging works that resonate with their audiences.
3. Museum and Galleries - Museums and galleries can embrace the use of contemporary slang and pop culture references to attract a wider and younger audience to classical art collections.