Same assignment as last time--watch the videos included on this GoogleDoc, post a question (or 2) on one or more of them, no artifact discussion.
https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AQVbz7yQ99-dZGZoNDY0NnpfMTZnOHo1dnpjZg&hl=en
Duke U seminar on relationship between popular music and masculinities in the United States
10 comments:
Does the manner in which Liberace plays piano make it more difficult (Specifically the act of lifting his hands up abruptly)? I've never seen that before, is it specific to him? Is it considered tacky?
In Pink's "Raise Your Glass" video, I was confused by the scene in which she feeds a calf human breast milk. What is the meaning of this?
In the "Monster" video, the women seem to be portrayed as being objects of men, whether as male sexual fantasies or as targets for torture. However, is Nicki Minaj depicted in a stronger, more positive stance, or is she the same as the other women?
Also, in the Poison video, the band members exhibit feminine hair, make-up, and even clothing (such as tight-fitted clothing or skinny pants). Despite all this, how do their actions and music make them more masculine than they appear?
In Madonna's "Vogue," she urges people to dance and "strike a pose," saying that "it makes no difference if you're black or white; if you're a boy or a girl." However, the men she includes in her video (as well as the women) exhibit some very feminine gestures and dance moves. Is Madonna claiming that fashion and dance only appeal to a certain type of male/person? How would the video and song change had the male dancers been depicted in a more stereotypically masculine way?
What kind of femininity is formulated in Madonna's "Vogue"?
This is the first time that I've seen Pink's music video of "Raise Your Glass." It gave the song a completely different meaning than what I took from the lyrics alone. Do you guys agree? Do you think that Pink made the lyrics subtle on purpose? If so, why?
Liberace was an really interesting choice. I was just wondering how the way in which the pianist was dressed with the rings on his fingers, his studded white coat with long tails and combed back hair contributed to or detracted from the idea of masculinity he embodied? How might this perception have differed based on the place/ country of performance?
Liberace was a really interesting choice. I was just wondering how the pianist's clothing (rings on his fingers, studded white coat with ruffles and long tails, and combed back hair) might have contributed or detracted from the idea of masculinity he embodied? Would this have differed based on the country, region or location of performance?
In the video for "Monster," it seems like the parts containing Kanye, Jay-Z, and Rock Ross are somewhat tame musically. There isn't any strong inflections, changing accents, or overly aggressive behavior from the others, like there is from Minaj. Does the fact that this kind of scary, tempest-like behavior comes from a woman and not from a man have any significance in terms of masculinity?
I really liked the Poison video. In particular their costume and choice of accessories. What is your interpretation of the group taking feminine products while performing a song that is with out a doubt masculine? Does this make Poison appear homosexual or does it strengthen their masculinity/heterosexuality?
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