Arts through the decades: 80s edition

The 1980s was a vibrant and bold decade, one that was often full of  contradictions when it came to the arts.  It was a time of excess, rebellion, and reinvention, in which technology, pop culture, and politics collided, resulting in a fast-paced artistic climate. 

Visual Art

The 1980s saw a return to emotionally charged art pieces, through the rise of neo-expressionism.  This style was a reaction against minimalism.  Neo-expressionist artwork featured bold colors, rough brushwork, and often personal or mythological themes.  Notable artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, who rose to fame through the neo-expressionism movement, Julian Schnabel, known for his massive, textured paintings that often used unusual materials, and Anselm Kiefer, whose work explored history, trauma, and memory.

Furthermore, the 1980s witnessed street art and graffiti entering the gallery.  The public perception on street art shifted during this decade.  This shift in point of view contributed to the evolution of street art, as more people began to recognize graffiti and tagging as real artistic expression. Keith Haring was a memorable player in 1980s street art, because his bold cartoon characters addressed social injustices.

Visual art became a tool for expressing the voices, identity, and protests of marginalised communities that faced systemic injustice.  Art offers a safe space for individuals to embrace their identities and be themselves fully.  Moreover, the 1980s witnessed a boom in the commercial art industry.  Art became a commodity and certain  artists rose to celebrity status.  As a consequence, debates around authenticity vs marketability began to rise. 

Music

In the 1980s, technology took over the way music was created and produced.  Synthesizers, drum machines, and digital sound effects became a central part of production.  Due to the growing use of technology in music, new genres like synth-pop and electronic music emerged, both of which exploded with popularity.  Recording music evolved into something much more polished and studio-focused.

In 1981, MTV launched as an American cable channel that was for music videos.  MTV revolutionised the music industry by making music videos essential, mainstream, and accessible.  Some musical artists used MTV to build their iconic personas by using visuals.  Noteworthy examples include Madonna, Micheal Jackson, and Prince.  The visuals, fashion, and performance became nearly as important as the music itself.

As older genres faded into obscurity, new types of music were given room to flourish.  Disco declined in popularity, giving way to dance-pop and club culture.  Underground genres such as new wave, goth, industrial, and electronic dance music all prospered in their niches.  Country-pop, a fusion between country and pop, gained mainstream popularity due to artists like Dolly Parton. 

Film & Theater

The 1980s was the golden era for blockbuster films.  Studios focused on high-concept films that were easily marketable.  Sci-fi and action saw a rise in popularity.  Fears of technology and the Cold War inspired sci-fi and dystopian films that mirrored these fears.  While big studios thrived, smaller independent filmmakers explored more unconventional and personal stories, such as identity, race, and existential dread.  Furthermore, the rise of VHS and home video rentals changed everything.  It gave films a second life outside of cinemas and transformed how people consumed them, allowing audiences to watch from the comforts of their own home.

Global musicals featuring huge sets and emotional scores soared with popularity.  These shows prioritised grandeur and emotion.  While Broadway embraced a ‘go big or go home’ mentality, Off-broadway continued confronting real world issues, like the AIDS crisis, gender, race and class, all explored in raw, emotional, and passionate ways.  Artists began to bring their own personal monologues and performances to the stage in a way that blended performance with activism perfectly.     

Fashion

Fashion in the 1980s was bold, loud, and expressive.  People wore shoulder pads, structured blazers, and bold suits to the workplace, especially women.  This style became a symbol of ambition, control, and success in the corporate world.  MTV and pop stars had a huge influence on fashion, as people dressed like Madonna, with her lacy gloves, layered jewellery, and mesh tops, and Michael Jackson, wearing leather jackets and single gloves.  Some everyday styles included high-waisted jeans, neon colors, graphic prints, and chunky accessories, among other trends.

The 1980s was a decade that was loud, bold, and refused to stay quiet or blend into the background.  Creativity exploded in every direction from the city streets to the big screens.