DeviantArt: where Art meets Application

DeviantArt is a site which gives artists, photographers, and writers the opportunity to share their work with thousands of people. I have been using this site for a few years now and have posted some photographs that I have taken. What originally caught my attention was the wide array of categories available. There are categories for any conceivable type of art media. People have posted photos, free-hand artwork, even icon sets and backgrounds for your computer. This site allows people all over the world to see your work and connects people who have similar interests. I consider this site to be popular culture because it provides a forum for artists of all kinds to showcase their work and allow others to comment and even purchase their work. DeviantArt has opened my eyes to different forms of photography and even given me new ideas for photos.

www.deviantart.com
http://goalieboy714.deviantart.com/

Words = Free Rice

I first came across this website when my mom, a huge logophile (lover of words) told me about it. After checking it out I'm hooked, and it's such a great cause! Basically a word pops up and you guess at the definition. For each question you get right the website, via the U.N., sends 20 grains of rice to under privileged countries. I really think this can be defined as pop culture based on the several things: the websites sponsors, and especially the marketing strategy. The website is paid for by advertisements (seen at the bottom of the screen), and has media coverage from NPR as well as The Washington Post, among others. I think this website goes to show that not all pop culture should be assumed as meaningless or obsolete; there are still people out there who want the world to be a good place. Regardless if you're a logophile or not, this website is a really great way to help other people and be a part of popular culture.

http://www.freerice.com/index.php

Asian Dramas

I was watching one of my favorite shows online the other day and realized it is also part of pop culture. I am a huge fan of Asian dramas and when I have time, Asian movies. However, 99% of Asian shows have not been “officially” subtitled in English or released in the U.S. at all. So fans decided to take matters into their own hands. Now there are tons of websites who’s sole purpose is to take Asian dramas, translate them and then put the subtitles in sync with the dialog (which if you can imagine, takes a lot of time and effort!). However, not only are they doing this time consuming task and doing it well, they are doing it for free! The fans have piled up and now you can access hundreds of different Asian dramas and movies! Certain shows on just one website can get over a thousand hit’s in one day!
http://www.mysoju.com/
http://www.crunchyroll.com/drama
http://deliciousfansubs.blogspot.com/2007/09/romantic-princess-project.html

TMZ

Perhaps you’ve seen it in a magazine, on T.V. or heard it on the radio. No matter what the form of media, almost everyone has heard about Britney Spear’s meltdown or Lindsay Lohan’s drinking problem. The lives of celebrities, (the artists who create the music and movies we love so much) have become a form of entertainment in today’s society and also a big topic in pop culture. There are websites, magazines and shows dedicated to it. It is even discussed on the “news” portion of radio stations. Therefore, as a guilty TMZ watcher myself, I thought I would open this up for discussion.
http://www.tmz.com/
http://www.mix971.net/live/content/entertainment/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=britney+spears

This is not an advertisement...

But the site is a for-profit one. I came across this link (ah, how well gmail knows us all) and found it interesting - look at the spread of pop culture references they make (and what exactly they consider pop culture).
http://www.primotees.com/index.htm

Like I said, this is not an ad...but I will probably buy one of these t-shirts. Sadly, the men's collection has a better selection.

Webkinz World

Does anyone remember beanie babies? How about Neopets? Well, put the two together and you’ve got the newest kid craze, Webkinz! Webkinz are stuffed animals you buy at $14 a piece and comes in as many types of animals as you can think of (there are six different types of frogs alone!). Then you can create a virtual version of your pet with a secret code that comes with the stuffed animal. These really are the hot items for kids from 4 to 14 right now. I work at a Hallmark and I get kids that come in every day to buy three or four Webkinz and already have 27 at home! I know we have been focusing a lot of things that are pop culture for adults more than anyone else, so I thought I would share that was going on in the kid world right now!
I’ve added some links for you to take a look at when you get a chance J Also if you have time you should go to eBay and type in sherbet bunny or love puppy. They are retired and go for around $200!
http://www.webkinz.com/
http://customerservice.webkinz.com/collectionscatalog/index.html

Harry Potter

"Who hasn’t heard of the boy who lived? If you haven’t, well, you’re in the minority. Since Harry Potter’s debut in 1997 it has created a multibillion dollar franchise. The boy wizard single handily saved the entire Wizarding World but as if that wasn’t enough, he then increased the rate of young readers around the world. Now there are Harry Potter clubs, websites specifically for Harry Potter fan fiction, Harry potter costume, ornaments, jewelry, you name it. You can even buy your own custom wand. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want their very own custom wand?
I myself have attended every movie midnight showing to date and the midnight release for book 5, 6 and 7. I can honestly say it’s an out of this world experience to see Easton completely filled with people dressed in Harry Potter/Wizarding World costumes or the entire movie theater filled with people also in costume playing “Quidditch” or having their tea leaves read. I think Harry Potter is one of the best examples of pop culture from our generation because people from 3 to 93 enjoy Harry Potter! "
-excerpt from my future paper on harry potter(don't know if it will be midterm or final yet. lol)
http://www.harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com/
http://www.mugglenet.com/
http://www.schnoogle.com/
http://www.alivans.com/
http://www.artisticalley.org/gallery/gallery/





This is me in one of my Senior pictures with my Harry Potter inspired Slytherin Scarf.

Anime/Manga

Manga and anime (Japanese Comics) have hit the U.S. by storm and now new translated anime and manga come out every month! The Anime following has grown so much there are now entire conventions based around anime/manga, clubs have been formed, (in fact, OSU has it’s own Anime Club!) and magazines have been created. The best part of anime/manga is that there is such a wide variety so there is something for everyone!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime
http://www.onemanga.com/directory/
http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime
http://www.theanimenetwork.com/
http://www.animecons.com/events/