The Zeitgeist of the 1980s

The 1980s was a time of dramatic change in the Western world. There was a rise in consumerism and materialism as the economy recovered from the 1970s recession. There was also a dampening of the protest movements that had defined the last two decades. Particulary in the USA, under President Reagan, there was a push to return to traditional norms and to practice deregulation and cut government spending. But more than anything else this is the decade where MORE was MORE. There was no such thing as too much of anything!

Margaret Thatcher

First female Prime Minister of the UK. She took control during a time of economic hardship in 1979 and served until 1990. She was responsible for weaking unions, reducing social support systems from government and believed that economic freedom was up to the individual rather than society as a whole. Fiscal conservatives see her as a hero, but during her leadership Britain was plagued by social unrest and unemployment.

Ronald Reagan

Conservative President of the US from 1981-1989. He cut government spending, cut taxes, increased military spending.

Aids

The AIDS crisis shook the world in the 1980s. It was horrific and highly visible. It also caused a lot of stigma and negativity around homosexuality. It is tragic also in its timing as the gay community was growing in visibility thanks to musical icons in the 1970s.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

At the very end of this decade in 1989, German leaders tried to calm protests by allowing travel between east and western Berlin. It’s announcement was a beaurocratic announcement that went wrong and East Germans immediately flocked to the border. The gate was not well guarded at this time, and so it was opened and people flowed between East and West and began tearing down the wall. This led to the tumbling of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold-War.

Neo-Expressionism

A reaction to the minimalist conceptualism of the 1970s. It was violent, colourful and emotional which is interesting as it almost seems like a late artistic development of the violent protest culture of the 1970s. It is now seen my critics as honest, and activist art. It seems to me like a confusion between consumer print and anti-establishment ideologies.

Deconstructivism

Post-post-modernism! Architecture that gives the impression of fragmentation and a lack of unity. It is obvious by the use of geometric and abstract forms used together in unexpected ways. Popular in the 1980s-1990s.

Rap

In the 80s Rap was about ‘street cred’, rhymes, pride and style. Sneaker style. Chains. Tracksuits. Parachute Pants. The style moved from the streets to mainstream throughout this decade thanks to the popularizatio of the music.

Body Ideal

Tall, Broad Shoulders, Long Legs, Toned Abs, Trim Hips, Big hair and a tan.

Athletic wear

Definitely the height of the fitness crazy, until now and lululemons maybe? Leotards, leggings, Scrunchies, oversized sweater, sweatbands and neon.

Powersuit

The idea of a suit as armour, it was not contured to the body and displayed women as strong and capeable. Massive shoulderpads in a variety of shapes. Because it was structured away from the body, it was forgiving and flattering to many body types.

Going Big

After the depression of the 70s, the display of wealth was welcomed in the 1980s. The idea was “if you’ve got it, flaunt it”. There was big hair, big costume jewelry, big shoulder pads, big everything!

A musical icon that defined the 80’s Aesthetic of GOING BIG: CINDY LAUPER

Thoughts

There was a new found conservativism in the USA, likely a response to the economic struggles in the 1970s. It seems that whenever there is economic crisis it is followed by the belief that a return to outdated traditional expectation on society are the best way to recover. There was also a growth in the strength of right wing politics during this time which is probably partly explained by the stigma around aids and homosexuality, as well as a continued fear of communism.