The Impact 1980s Popular Culture has Today
By: Phan Nguyen Art History 273 Abstract
The main focus of my project is researching the everlasting impacts 1980s popular culture has on current day society. More specifically, my research focuses on how people of the 1980s were influenced by their popular culture at the time and compare it to popular culture today. As well as looking at the similar aspects between the two and how old pop culture still plays a hand in influencing current day culture with the media, technology, and fashion. Background on 1980s Popular Culture
● Reflected the era’s political conservatism ● Symbol of the decade was a “yuppie” ○ Baby boomer with a college education, well-paying job and expensive taste ● Heavily influenced by films like “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink” to name few. ● Expanded role of television Influence of MTV in the 1980s
● Most revolutionary cable network ● Played made out stars bands like Duran Duran and Michael Jackson ○ Impacted the music industry, after broadcasting Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video it helped sold 600,000 albums. ● Fashion ○ People across the country copied the hairstyles and fashion displayed in the the music videos ○ Creation of “fashion icons” ● Mass communication (instant compared to Newspapers) ○ People can bond/communicate over music and media
Technological Influences
80s Aesthetic:
● Bright colors and angular polygons ○ This shows no signs of disappearing despite today’s high definition displays not only available on televisions, but also on computers and mobile devices (Tselentis 60). ● Big brands are realizing how profitable “paying tribute to the past” is ● “Making connections between the past and present, and possibly the future demonstrates that the brand has been and will continue to successful, forward-looking and profitable” (Tselentis 62) Illustrates aspects of 1980s aesthetics (bright colors and shapes)integrated into current APPLE IOS designs Fashion Trends: 80s or 00s?
● High-waisted jeans ● Neon/Bright colors ● Spandex ● Cutoff shirts ● Oversized Blazers ● Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses ● Velvet material ● Fanny Packs* ● Denim Making Connections
● The previous slides demonstrated particular aspects of 1980s culture, which are still relevant today ● Today we rely heavily on various forms of media, especially MTV ○ Although the network transitioned away from solely broadcasting music videos. Their network still heavily influence fashion trends, music styles, communication ● From the “Fashions Trends” slide, I am sure you thought of couple of those 80s trends which are relevant today The Impact 1980s Popular Culture has on Current Popular Culture
● Based off my research, I see that there are connections between 1980s popular culture and today
It can be seen through previous popular trends, technology, media, film, and music to name a few.
● The 1980s still influence brand decisions, trends, and aesthetics ○ We as the consumer appreciate nostalgia Art Aspect
The next slide contains my actual “project” an eighties pop culture themed scrapbook/poster page comparing it to a modern day pop culture.
I compiled a bunch of images in regard to different aspects of pop culture from the 1980s and today and I show the similarities between the different fashion trends, color combinations, and overall aesthetic.
Works Cited
Bobb, Brooke. “Why a Big, Boxy Blazer Is the Best Spring Jacket.” Vogue, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2019, www.vogue.com/vogueworld/article/best-blazers-outerwear-for-every-occasion.
Bowles, Hamish, et al. “Playtime With Harry Styles: ‘You Can Never Be Overdressed.’” Vogue, www.vogue.com/article/harry-styles-cover-december-2020.
History.com Editors. “The 1980s.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 23 Aug. 2018, www.history.com/topics/1980s/1980s.
'GETTING ITS MESSAGE ACROSS'. (1984, Jul 08). Los Angeles Times (1923-1995) Retrieved from https://sonoma.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.sonoma.idm.oclc.org/docview/153953794?accountid=13949
Lubitz, Rachel. “A Very Important History of Men Wearing Crop Tops.” Mic, Mic, 29 Apr. 2016, www.mic.com/articles/142196/a-very-important-history-of-men-wearing-crop-tops.
Madison Vain April 13, and Madison Vain. “What Made Olivia Newton-John 'Horrified' About 'Physical'.” EW.com, ew.com/music/2017/04/13/olivia-newton-john-physical-interview/.
“Nike Sculpt Icon Clash Women's Seamless 7/8 Training Tights. Nike.com.” Nike.com, www.nike.com/t/sculpt-icon-clash-womens-seamless-7-8-training-tights-5kwtR9/CJ4135-601. Works Cited
“Pretty in Pink Turns 30! Remember These Crazy '80s Styles?” E! Online, 27 Feb. 2016, www.eonline.com/news/742599/pretty-in-pink-turns-30-remember-these-crazy-80s-styles
Tselentis, Jason. “A Flock of Pixels.” Print, vol. 68, no. 3, June 2014, pp. 58–67. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=96060553&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Villarreal, Daniel. “These 10 Sexy Celebs Show That the Male Crop Top Never Really Ever Went Away.” Hornet, 15 Apr. 2020, hornet.com/stories/male-crop-tops/.