Art Into Pop

The book Art Into Pop analyzes the influence of art education on postwar British music, highlighting key cultural moments and the struggle for artistic authenticity.

First published in 1987, Art Into Pop explores the intricate relationship between art education and British popular music. This engaging narrative delves into two pivotal moments: the early 1960s, when art students such as John Lennon and Eric Clapton began to reinterpret American rock and blues, infusing youth music with their Bohemian ideals, and the late 1970s, when punk musicians emerged from design courses to challenge the established art-rock norms. These periods highlight the evolving landscape of music and how it was influenced by artistic training.

The book examines how both sixties rock Bohemians and seventies pop Situationists grappled with a common dilemma: the struggle to monetize their artistic endeavors. Art Into Pop illustrates how this challenge has been shaped by the history of British art education, tracing its roots from the nineteenth century to contemporary debates surrounding 'pure' versus 'applied' training. The narrative emphasizes the quest for authenticity and the blurring of lines between high and low culture.

Through a rich tapestry of themes, the book showcases the interplay between high pop theorists and low pop practitioners, as well as the dialogue between experimental musicians and corporate packagers. This exploration reveals how artistic integrity often hinges on self-presentation and the complexities of personal and commercial creativity, making Art Into Pop a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the intersection of art and music.