Hello everyone. Please introduce yourself and post a short position on this quote from the introduction to your text book.
In contrast to the instant obsolescence of popular culture, the study of Western culture offers an alternative that has passed the unforgiving test of time. Long after today's heroes and celebrities have fallen into oblivion, the achievements of our artistic and literary ancestors - those who have forged the Western tradition will remain.
I will go first:
My name is Michelle Barron. I have lived in Tampa nearly all my life. I received a BA in English Literature in 1982 and an MFA (painting) in 2007, both from USF. In addition to teaching at HCC, I work as the art instructor and coordinator for Project Return (www.projectreturn.org.) You can see some of my paintings at the archives of the University of South Florida's Contemporary Art Museum: http://www.usfcam.usf.edu/Media/MFA2007Show/
My position to the above quote from our text book is that it makes too easy a division between popular culture and "high" art. This division has been largely discredited in the post-modern era. Some might argue that there are popular roots to all our "high" art. One that comes to mind is the ballad form. Not only has it stood the test of time but has served at the basis for complex jazz forms. Jazz was considered barbaric only a little over 50 years ago, but it is regarded as high culture now. The whole question of popular vs. high culture is very complicated. Another thing that comes to mind is the comic book. The comic book will never be "obsolescent."
