Civilisation and the arts in london - Essay Example

? Civilisation and the Arts in London Civilisation and the Arts in London Television, movies, fashion, sports and music are the main components of today’s pop culture in London. Television is obviously the fastest mean being used to promote pop culture in England. Pop culture is related to current styles and trends encompassing almost all the styles being used to make personality more attractive. Therefore, it keeps changing with the time. Pop culture tells us about latest music hits and about celebrities as well. British pop culture is the most liked culture in the world. They export music and celebrities in every part of the world. People of London copy the hairstyle and dresses of their favourite celebrities. Music occupies important place in London’s fashion culture. People show great interest in listening music on television, internet and on audio media. Media, television, audio media and sports all influenced the fashion in the life of youth and children specially. Music and dance parties are the main feature of nightclubs of London. Same trend of parties is also prevailing in fashion weeks (Foreman, 2005). Independent group caused the emergence of British pop art in London. Painter Richard Hamilton, Curator and art critique Lawrence Alloway and sculptor Eduardo got together in the London school of contemporary arts to promote popular culture in London. They first met in 1952 in London where Eduardo presented his celebrated college entitled “I was a rich man’s play thing”. All the emphasis during the discussion was laid on artistic values and interrelation of popular mass culture. In 1955, another member of the group Hamilton produced his college “just what is it that makes home so appealing”. This was recognized as the pioneer example of British pop art in London. Afterwards, number of people joined pop art and did reasonable work in expansion of pop art in London. Landmark publicity to pop art was given by English channel BBC. BBC showed a movie titled “Pop Goes the Easel” by Ken Russell which introduced the new horizons of pop art in England. (White, 2001) Beatles were the first group who influenced the British culture through music from 1950-1960. Beatles mid length hairstyle got popularity in youths of London in 1960. Youth still follow this Beatles fashion in London. Jurgen Vollmer was a schoolchild in 50s, who left his hairs hanging down on his forehead. This style was copied by the young boys of that time. But main reason of fame was rock music. Beatle mania is spreading very fast and youth love the Beatle’s music in London (Foreman, 2005). Artistic contributions of great English artists have influenced the life of Londoners. Artists attracted people to make people understand the depth of architectural work. Architectural work of English people in visible in the form of, castles, churches and government buildings in and around London. This architectural work is counted masterpiece work in the architectural era of England. (White, 2001) Variety and quality of foodstuff available in London is matchless with rest of the England. London is considered as the main hub of English food culture. Rising of London as one of the best cities of the world encouraged Londoners to promote English food culture in the city. Unlike other parts of the country, London has seen increase in number of casinos. All types of English dishes are available in London restaurants and hotels. Celebrated chefs also love to show their cooking potentials in London. This very culture of London influences the fashion and entertainment. (White, 2001) London is the centre of fashion activities in the world. London fashion weeks are symbol of quality dress designing in the world. Number of celebrities show up for advertising the work of English fashion designers. Catwalk fashion of London fashion shows greatly influences the popular consumer culture. Fashion designers tend to promote their work by following the lifestyle of famous sports and music figures through different celebrities. Sexualized work has been given especial importance in fashion accessories due to increase in sexual violence in England. Holy Fulton’s collection projected the architecture of England. She used colours, crystals and toys in such a self defining manner that viewer can easily see the cultural stamp on the fashion work. First fashion boutique clothing store was opened in Carnaby Street and King’s road districts. McQueen was a London fashion designer who committed suicide few years ago but his work is still appreciated because of his positive approach (Katz, 2010). The McQueen store in central London displays the amazing fashion work in the fields of English shoes clothing and other accessories. He highly inspired the youth of London by his magnificent fashion designing (Katz, 2010). Every young student cited him because of attachment with the work of great designer. He is no more part of the fashion work in London but his services will be remembered for centuries. His association with British fashion was the reason that Britain was considered a cool place in the nineties (Katz, 2010). British television is playing vital role in shaping the youth life in London and all over the world. British dramas and television shows catch especial attention in the public. The London underground film office handles about 200 requests per month due to huge public demand. Documentary series “the tube” was first displayed in London underground including the London transport museum. A film story revolves around London underground driver in the film “three and out”. (White, 2001) There are number of nightclubs that project the British culture in London. Roaring twenties, the scene and the Flamingo in London are famous for music and dance. People visiting the nightclubs love to listen to the jazz music of Dave Brubeck and modern jazz quartet (Foreman, 2005). Food corners, bars, dancing parties and music are the main American popular culture that attracts people of London. Another aspect of British pop culture that greatly influenced the fashion in London is print media. British newspaper published articles on number of issues to promote culture. Stories of young boys visiting the nightclubs made youth class eager of visiting such fun places. Newspaper promoted the fashion work by advertising the work of fashion designers and organized cloth and shoes exhibitions in London. All the latest trends in clothing and sports were published in the newspaper to inspire the public of the city. Favourite perfumes of soccer players were advertised in London and lately same were used for advertisement in London fashion week due to their growing demand. (White, 2001) Popular culture has influenced the field of sports in last hundred years or so. Media and newspaper have given high projection to different sports in England. London being the fashion city of England has closely followed the cultural advancement in its fashion displays and exhibitions. Fashion trends are now diverting towards sports clothing of sports heroes. Football and cricket are the most liked games in England. Fashion designers are now attracted to promote the sports clothing and hairstyle of the popular sportsmen and sportswomen as well. Another reason of promotion of sports clothing in London is the amount of money injected by the fashion houses in the field of sports. Promotion of sports has helped youngsters to seek education in different institutes of London. (White, 2001) Numerous factors make the term popular culture. It covers the important aspects of human life. Sports, media, music and fashion are the main contributors in this term. All these fields have influenced the life of Londoners and fashion designers. Beatles were the first won who took the revolutionary step of hairstyle and rock music. This proved to be the foundation stone of popular culture’s influence in London. London being the growing city adopted the popular culture in complete and it can still be seen in London fashion weeks where English culture has been given due projection. References Foreman, Susan. (2005). London: a musical gazetteer. London: Yale University Press. Katz, Gregory. (Feb 2010). London Fashion Scene Mourns McQueen. CBSnews.com. Retrieved on 19th April 2011 from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/12/entertainment/main6202301.shtml White, Jerry. (2001). London in the twentieth century: a city and its people. New York: Viking Press. Read More