The Birth of Conceptual Art

Picasso attempted to move beyond visually realistic and purely representational art. 'Weeping Woman' 1937 (Tate Modern), was painted at the time of the Spanish Civil War.

Jackson Pollock painted his unconscious, emotional responses. 'Summertime: No.9A' 1948 (Tate Modern) was created by splashing, throwing and dripping paint onto a canvas.

Street Art at The Tate

Here are two articles written at the time of Tate Modern's Street Art exhibition in 2008. Francesca Gavin asks if there is an element of hypocrisy behind our attitudes. Alice Fisher comments on how an anti-establishment movement has taken over The Tate.

More Graffitti Wars

Another Banksy piece in Bristol has been defaced. This article from the Guardian tells the continuing story of 'war' between the followers of Banksy and King Robbo.

The Culture Show

Architecture, art, TV, films, theatre, music and much more are featured on The Culture Show on BBC2. It's back on for the next few weeks, so catch it on iplayer. You can also look at clips from the last few years by visiting the archive (see 'Useful Blogs and Websites')

What Is Culture?

Stuart Hall (cultural theorist) explains culture as a system of representation that constructs "shared conceptual maps" of the world. These maps allow individuals with different experiences and sensibilities to communicate with each other, nevertheless. Culture is often defined in these terms -- as the externalized systems of meaning that are shared within a society and that allow members of that society to communicate. For example, Jay Mechling says, culture is a set of dynamic social contracts that help societies "organize difference." They produce consent but not necessarily consensus.

No more ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’. Please.

Reality TV has always thrived on the exploitation of its subjects, creating artificial conflict between friends, asking individuals to adopt a “villain” persona, re-editing situations so they fit producers’ proposed storylines. However, the reality format is now well into its second decade, and any adult who signs a release form for one of these shows should be aware of what they’re getting into. It’s a trade off, public exposure for cash. It’s a choice adults make.

For a very good example of how the media, parents and appearance has an effect upon self-esteem view this posting on the mediaknowall blog.

Media, gender and identity

To find more information on the effects of role models, identity and gender issues visit theory.org here. The examples and discussion will be very useful to refer to in the exam.

Teenage Kicks: The Search for Sophistication

Watch the BBC4 documentary 'Teenage Kicks: The Search For Sophistication' here on BBCiPlayer for an interesting examination of how we construct our identities, partake in rituals and express aspects of individual personality through the products we consume. Celebrities and others discuss their teenage years and the cultural practices they adopted due to the influence of popular culture and advertised products.

TV review: Fry's Planet Word

Watch Fry's Planet Word (BBC2, Sunday) an examination of language and its evolution which can support your knowledge of NVC and other aspects of Communication & Culture. For instance it's interesting that when Fry is talking to a deaf German woman, he slows down slightly, spells it out, adopts the tiniest hint of an accent in that way we do with people who have a different first language, meeting them halfway. But he's talking to her though an interpreter, who's American! Read a review of this current programme on The Guardian site here or go to BBCiplayer to see last Sundays' show.

Mr Brainwash exhibition

Thierry Guetta, or 'Mr Brainwash' as he is known, featured in Banksy's film 'Exit Through The Gift Shop'. He now has his first British exhibition at the Opera Gallery in New Bond Street, London. This article from The Telegraph charts his rise to fame and questions whether we have been duped.