Pop Art Lesson Plans

Pop Art is visually appealing to students. However, the first question they usually ask is “How can that be art?” This question provides a wonderful way to explore the ways that people define art. It also can lead students to look at individual works of art in a more critical way. They can discuss the purpose for which the artist created the work, the audience for which the work is intended, and explore the work's subject matter.

The Pop Art movement was cultivated in England during the 1950's and spread to America in the 1960's. Following the optimism and prosperity that defined the 1950s in America, Pop artists sought an edgier approach to the concerns and issues that were inherent in 1960s America, which was quickly becoming a landscape of social and political unrest.

Pop Art was a movement intended to both represent and appeal to the masses rather than the elite. The movement took the ordinary (like Campbell’s Soup cans and images of Marilyn Monroe) and made it extraordinary by redefining it as art. Artist Roy Lichtenstein appropriated scenes from comic strips and made them larger than life, while Andy Warhol refashioned photographs as huge paintings and silkscreens.

Pop Art was instantly recognizable and widely popular. Many Pop Art works were great in size and made of unusual materials. For example, Claes Oldenburg created a “Soft Toilet” using unexpected materials. This type of art is reminiscent of the Dada Movement of the early twentieth century. Roy Lichtenstein elevated comic book frames to high art when he enlarged cells to enormous sizes. George Segal created plaster casts of people and set them up in everyday scenes, essentially frozen in place and time.

When teaching about Pop Art, it is virtually impossible to extract the art from the social and political. Consider having students analyze a song of their choosing that they feel best reflects the ideals of the Pop Art movement. An excellent way to demonstrate their understanding is to have them create a PowerPoint presentation or short video that sets Pop Art works to the music they have chosen.

Students should understand the heightened emotions that characterized this era in American history. Have students conduct interviews with relatives or family friends who can speak about their experiences during those years. They can create a class oral history project in which interview transcripts or videos are featured along with examples of Pop Art, music and literature of the era.  Below are some lesson plans regarding Pop Art that I think you'll enjoy.

Pop Art Lesson Plans:

Multiples of Me
In this lesson students create Warhol-inspired self-portraits. The lesson also integrates technology and can be easily incorporated into a modern American history course, an art history course, or an art class.

Pop Art Personalities
This lesson allows students to explore the work of Roy Lichtenstein and to visually imagine themselves in his comic book inspired style. After depicting themselves as a comic book character, students incorporate a thought bubble to express thoughts or emotions.

Pop Art Tunnel Books
After studying the art of Keith Haring, students create a tunnel book. Tunnel books are made by standing up cardstock or cardboard vertically and creating various layers through which the viewer looks. A writing component can also be included in this project for those seeking an interdisciplinary approach.

Time Capsule 21 Activity: A Day in the Life of Warhol
This lesson provides a fascinating look into some of Andy Warhol’s more obscure works while allowing students to gain insight into the life and times of this iconic artist. Consider having students make their own time capsules after completing this lesson.