Sunday, February 27, 2011

4. An image that has shaped American culture:





Coca Cola is one of the most recognizable products in the U.S. and around the world. The brand has become as American as apple pie and baseball. During WWII and the great depression, advertisements strategically solidified Coca Cola as a model of American ideals and values.1 To consume their product is to partake in the American way of life. Andy Warhol made his fame and fortune around painting objects revolved around American culture, including Coca Cola. He said, "What's great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest. You can be watching TV and see Coca-Cola and you can know that the President drinks Coke, Liz Taylor drinks Coke, and just think, you can drink Coke too. A Coke is a Coke and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the Cokes are the same and all the Cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows it, the President knows it, the bum knows it, and you know it." 2



1. Atlantis. “Coca-Cola: The Real Thing.” Atlantis. http://madeinatlantis.com/popular_culture/features/cocacola.htm (accessed February 16, 2011.

2. PSFK Salon. “Warhol on Coca-Cola.” PSFK Salon. http://www.psfk.com/2010/11/warhol-on-   coca-cola-quote.html  (accessed February 14, 2011).

No comments:

Post a Comment