The 1980s: Image of a Decade

Author: Henry Carroll

Popular culture

Published on 7^th November 2024 by Thames & Hudson Ltd in the United Kingdom as part of 'The Decades Series' series.

Hardback | 336 pages, 70 Illustrations, black and white; 245 Illustrations, colour
290mm x 220mm | 0g

Nostalgia has never felt so current. As we turn to past decades for inspiration and clues to help us navigate the cultural labyrinth of social media, this book allows readers to discover the 1980s afresh, from design and art styles to iconic photos, fashion trends, music videos and digital breakthroughs.

Like a perfectly curated mixtape, this era defining book transports you back in time to the social, political and technological tipping point of recent history. The 1980s were a time of bold exploration, dazzling creativity, inspiring unity and stark division. Technology, media, gender roles, race, sexuality, geopolitics, climate, our place in the universe. You name it: the 1980s saw almost all aspects of humanity challenged, upturned, and reimagined. Skip forward from the first space shuttle to the first episode of The Simpsons, from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Gordon Gekko, or from shoulder pads to smiley faces. This immersive visual narrative presents a fascinating ecosystem of influence between high and low culture that makes sense of the decade's recurring motifs, trends, and themes, from lush tropicana to neo-noir dystopia.

Start with the explosion of breakdancing and boom boxes on the subway, the beeps and bloops of new electronic game consoles, and Jane Fonda's pastel leotards and legwarmers. Move on to the savage materialism of the wolves of Wall Street, the synchronized moves of the zombies in the Thriller video, and tailored Armani suits. Witness the rise of a new and assertive gay culture and explore the darker corners of the club scene. Remember the silent rise of the AIDS epidemic, the impact of Live Aid concerts, and the fight against apartheid. You'll see how the reverberation of cultural debates around the globe reaches decibels that can break down barriers and prompt change, from Madrid's La Movida to the Soviet perestroika and the fall of the Berlin Wall.