Consumption culture and its reflection on the current art practices

In the period after the year 1950, significant changes were observed in many areas such as lifestyles, economy, culture, and art. In these changes, the Industrial Revolution and the technological advancements seen together with it play important roles. Thus, the production and consumption relationship, which is a characteristic of capitalist system, plays a determinant role in formation of many events, relationships, fictions, and discourses. In sum, the significance of consumption phenomenon includes a period, which incorporates different tendencies and when different powers play dominant role after the year 1950. Today's society is a society, in which the consumption culture is dominant, in which many things change quickly, and in which all the culture and values are rapidly wasted. Today, when the daily life practices are interpreted over these tendencies, artistic thoughts and practices are shaped within this direction. After the year 1950, many thoughts and tendencies regarding the art, work of art, and artists started to be questioned and criticized. Nowadays, by making use of the artistic codes and the development of mass communication instruments, advertisement and design became an area gaining the character of art. Moreover, nowadays, when everything is shaped over the consumption and everything is materialized, work of art became a product that can be bought and sold. Hence, work of art is considered as an investment instrument providing a profit, whereas it is also considered as an indicator of prestige and status for artist and audience. This resulted in the formation of many fields and organizations forming and expanding the market of art.