Superflat
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
16-4-2013 9:00 AM
End Date
16-4-2013 10:00 AM
Student's Major
Art
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
Alisa Eimen
Mentor's Department
Art
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
History reveals Western cultures continuous interest in Eastern art from impressionism to today. When a culture, like Japan, was so suddenly disconnected from its identity, what kind of art was, and still is, produced which influences the Western world? After Japan’s surrender in World War II there was an integration of American culture which shifted Japan’s traditional values. Superflat, a movement that has inspired artists from around the world, takes on the challenge of identification by referencing and combining the values and characteristics of Japan’s subculture with high culture; therein blending several social aspects: art & history, memory, and consumerism. From a multitude of articles and books discussing Japanese culture, contemporary artists, as well as Superflat and its relation to Japan’s identity, I found culture to be a key characteristic as it relates popular, high, and otaku together. Outside cultures, as well as those within Japan, adopt and/or criticize the movement and its representation of Japan as a simplistic society. Through the evaluation of Japan’s history in relation to the several aspects of Superflat, I am beginning to believe that the movement is a national form of subconscious introspection wherein a gained ‘self-awareness’ might contribute to a discussion of the nation’s social and cultural principles.
Superflat
CSU 201
History reveals Western cultures continuous interest in Eastern art from impressionism to today. When a culture, like Japan, was so suddenly disconnected from its identity, what kind of art was, and still is, produced which influences the Western world? After Japan’s surrender in World War II there was an integration of American culture which shifted Japan’s traditional values. Superflat, a movement that has inspired artists from around the world, takes on the challenge of identification by referencing and combining the values and characteristics of Japan’s subculture with high culture; therein blending several social aspects: art & history, memory, and consumerism. From a multitude of articles and books discussing Japanese culture, contemporary artists, as well as Superflat and its relation to Japan’s identity, I found culture to be a key characteristic as it relates popular, high, and otaku together. Outside cultures, as well as those within Japan, adopt and/or criticize the movement and its representation of Japan as a simplistic society. Through the evaluation of Japan’s history in relation to the several aspects of Superflat, I am beginning to believe that the movement is a national form of subconscious introspection wherein a gained ‘self-awareness’ might contribute to a discussion of the nation’s social and cultural principles.
Recommended Citation
Simon, Desaree. "Superflat." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/oral-session-01/4
