Postmodernism in music video

 Media Magazine Theory Drop - Postmodernism

Create a new blog post called 'Postmodernism in music video: blog tasks'. Read ‘The Theory Drop: Postmodernism’ in MM66  (p26). You'll find our Media Magazine archive here - remember you'll need your Greenford Google login to access. Answer the following questions:

1) How does the article define postmodernism in the first page of the article?

The media article defines postmodernism as a cultural movement that distrusts all established philosophies and frequently experiments with the medium it is present in.

2) What did media theorist and Semiotician Roland Barthes suggest in his essay 'The Death of the Author'?

He argued that a literacy text should be separated from its creator,asserting that an authors intentions and personal contet should not hold authority over the interpretation of their work.

3) What is metatextuality?

Metatextuality is a form of intertextual discourse where a text (book, film, play) critically comments on itself or another text.

4) What is the repeated phrase on the cartoon on postmodernism on page 28?

"Postermodernism is a cultural movement that distrusts all established philosophies and frequently experiments with the medium it is presented in"

5) How does postmodernism link to media representations and reality?

Postmodernism links to media representations and reality by arguing that the media no longer simply reflects the real world,but instead constructs a new reality where the distinction between the two is blurred or non existent.

Music video CSPs and postmodernism

Now apply postmodern ideas to our music video CSPs by answering the following questions:

1) How does the music video for Ghost Town incorporate elements of postmodernism?

->Brickolage through the style of music since it blends reggae and new wave music together

->Pastiche through the sense of a 'road movie' type of music

->Sense of hybridity

->Confusion over time and space which shifts the past and present

->Music video rather promotes a message which goes against the idea of style over substance

->Combination of an arthouse film style with a popular genre of music provides examples of strinatis definition of postmodernism as blurring of art and popular culture 

2) What film genres are alluded to in the music video for Ghost Town? Which scenes in particular created these links?

Horror:

->Driving through a deserted city which creates a haunted atmosphere as well as enigma codes

->Black and white style creates an eerie atmosphere

Film Noir:

->Narrow streets,set at night creates a noir atmosphere

->Characters resemble gangsters or detectives from historic crime movies

Social Realism:

->Empty town and deserted areas reflect the economic decay happening in Britain 

->Some scenes reinforce the songs theme of violance,decay,hopelessness

Road movies:

->Takes place in a moving car the whole time

3) How does Old Town Road use postmodern elements in its music video?

->Usage of social media when advertising the music video itself and promoting it 

->The lyrics like "Riding on a horse" + "You can whip your porshe" creates a sense of brickolage of the past and present (western culture and modern culture)

->White and black culture combinations (multiculturalism)

->Attempts of copying western cultures and references with other western films

->iconographies of western culture

->'Popular culture' is western and cowboy culture

->Confusion over time and space such as modern and olden days

->'Media-isation' of culture displays memes and trends

->Construction of historical narratives (history of America and western helps to mythologise past)

4) How does the Old Town Road music video reflect technological convergence and modern digital culture?  

->Use of social media 

->Use of memes

->Audience participation

5) What do YOU think Lil Nas X was trying to say about reality and American culture in the music video for Old Town Road?

I think Lil Nas X uses the Old Town Road music video to show that American culture is based on myths and performance rather than one fixed reality. By mixing western imagery with rap music,memes and modern fashion,the video challenges stereotypes about who belongs in 'country culture' and reminds audiences that Black cowboys were part of real American history. The humorous, internet-style scenes also reflect how digital culture allows people to remake traditions and create new identities.

A/A* extension reading: Medium article

Read this Medium article on the Postmodern Pop Artist. Do any of the ideas in this article apply to Old Town Road or Ghost Town? How?

Yes.Many of the ideas in the article can be applied to Old Town Road and Ghost Town.Lil Nas X is postmodern because he mixes genres,styles and media references in a playful way combining country,rap, memes and western film imagery to challenge ideas about authenticity and identity. The song also became popular through internet culture and audience participation.Furthermore,The Specials use postmodern techniques in Ghost Town by combining different music genres such as ska,reggae and punk while also referencing horror films,noir and social realism in the video.