Final answer:
Ed Ruscha's Standard Station reflects elements of standardization and commercialism in contemporary culture, while his typographical works explore textual realities in the context of Postmodernism. Artists like Sander, Nauman, Bartheleme, and DeLillo similarly capture societal shifts, identity exploration, and cultural perceptions in their works.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ed Ruscha's Standard Station captures elements of contemporary culture through its representation of a typical American gas station. It embodies the themes of standardization and commercialism that were prevalent in the 1960s and beyond, reflecting the uniformity and commodification of American landscapes. This work sits alongside Ruscha's typographical paintings, which utilized unique fonts such as Boy Scout Utility Modern and artworks that juxtaposed simple lettering with contrasting scenes, indicative of the era's inclination towards bold messaging and advertisement.
Ruscha’s work reflects the broader trends in contemporary art, where artists like Nauman used everyday mediums like neon signs to discuss high culture concerns in public spaces, thus democratizing art. Moreover, Ruscha’s exploration of words and typography paralleled the shift towards acknowledging the textual nature of experience and reality in Postmodernism, as observed in works by Bartheleme and DeLillo, where the prevalence of signs and simulacra capture the essence of late 20th century America.
Similarly, the exploration of identity through portraiture, as done by August Sander, and reflections on changes in contemporary art standards and cultural values discussed by critics and scholars, illustrate the evolving nature of art in relation to societal shifts. Such shifts have been marked by the questioning of traditional values, increasing focus on social media influence, and the reevaluation of historical narratives, as evidenced in the reconsideration of public monuments and memorials in light of movements advocating racial justice.