Final answer:
Pop culture refers to the collective cultural experiences and attitudes prevalent in society and includes elements such as music, television, and sports. It is expressed and spread via media outlets and is widely accessible. Pop Art, which arose in the mid-20th century, notably includes and critiques elements of pop culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pop culture, short for popular culture, encompasses the array of cultural experiences and attitudes that are commonplace in society. It's what you see, hear, and discuss in everyday scenarios—think television shows, music, sports, fashion, and technological gadgets. These forms of entertainment and social interaction are readily available to most people and frequently dominate conversations and media. While once considered less sophisticated than 'high culture,' the distinction between high and popular culture has blurred over time, with works once seen as popular culture ascending to high culture status, as exemplified by Shakespeare's plays.
Significantly, Pop Art, a movement that arose in the post-World War II era, highlights the essence of pop culture by incorporating elements such as comic strips, celebrity images, and everyday products into the realm of fine art. Pop artists like Andy Warhol famously used images from pop culture, thus bridging the gap between traditional art and cultural phenomena. This intertwining of art with everyday life illustrates how pervasive pop culture is and suggests a certain democratization of art and culture.
Examples of pop culture inform and shape the larger culture, affecting our preferences, conversations, and even self-identity. Pop culture is prevalent, shaping how we interact with the world and with each other. It has a significant role in shaping contemporary society's trends and norms.