reproducing pop culture final exam
Tony Schwartz on electronic replay
"Electronic replay is the most important invention since the book, which was the first tangible form of replay (at least after cave wall etchings.)" -Tony Schwartz, Media the Second God
what does TS Eliot say about poets
"Immature poets imitate, mature poets steal"
shales re decade
"In the Re Decade, it is justifiable to look about the video terrain and its jumble of warring factions from other moments near and far and conclude: there is no here and here. There was no then and then. There is no now now. Just video video. Television land. Cable has made this even worse, or better, depending on how you look at it."
Shales Re decade
"Originality as a value has become outmoded in the Re Decade. It's like grace or wit: something no longer sought or prized"
Aaron spelling on recombinant
"There are only seven original plots, you try to do theme with style and moderation"
how art develops into a cultural product
"We must expect great innovation to transform the entire technique of the arts, thereby affecting artistic invention itself and perhaps bringing about an amazing change in our very notion of art" -Paul Velary Art has always been reproducible Craft Masters diffusing works Patron pursuit and profit Forgery Early technical reproducing Bronzes Stamping Terra cotta Founding Coins Concepts/ Themes "Unique existence" of the work of art --the original or when reproduced it still contributes to unique existence can enhance it and contributes/preservation and adds to the permanence "Situation of the original" the time and place ORIGINAL WORK --Condition, ownership, authenticity ---Authenticity is the real deal, not a remake, genuine the OG preserves authenticity ---ownership=who's work of art is it (or did something to make it their own) "Process reproduction" --predominant mode of production, changes the aura History Aura (mode of perception) Work of art received and valued on different planes -Stage vs. Screen -Paintings vs. Photography Graphic arts (printmaking) One of arts longest standing traditions Print=implication of multiple copies Printing press gave repeatability - Woodcut - Etching/engraving - Lithograph - Silk Screen "I want to be a machine" -- pop artist Andy Warhol Photographic reproduction (mid 1800s) The Graphic Revolution Photoshop Poster Child: Shepard Fairey
song lineage
"the life of a song" (or "unique existence of work of art") Transformative Time Travelers, (sometimes) Mutants. We musicologically trace the path of a number of versions of a song. The Beatles "Yesterday" has the most cover versions of any song ever written, estimated to be between 1600 and 2000 versions recorded. (Franchise/lineage)
Angie Tribeca
(TBS, 2016-2018) Created by Steve and Nancy Carell, starring Rashida Jones (daughter of music producer Quincy Jones and the late Peggy Lipton of the cool cop series, The Mod Squad (1968-1973)). The Mod Squad, of course, was Re-d into a film decades later (1999)
Tribute album
(artists, labels, causes, albums, genres, composers, concerts, commemorations...) A sub-genre unto itself.
Tribute bands/Cover bands
(how most bands get started—playing other bands/artists songs rather than originals). Big business, and spot-on impersonations in look and sound and presence. Check out some acts on-line Rain=Beatles Tribute Band
Parody
(previously covered (pun always intended)): (See/hear any song/video from the extensive Weird Al Yankovic catalog) "Amish Paradise (parody of "Gangsta's paradise": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg "Smells Like Nirvana" ("Teen Spirit" parody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY "Eat It" (parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat It"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcJjMnHoIBI
recontextualization
-"Immature poets imitate mature poets steal" --T.S. Eliot -Convenient neutrality -Intertextuality instead of plagiarism and imitation -Cultural creators produce new meaning through the creative reuse of existing texts, images, sounds, et. al
Interpretation/Adaptation/Imitation
-Apprenticeship -- learning to play music through familiar songs -Homage- (i.e. Tom Petty's indistinguishable version of Byrds "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better") -Recontextualization- listening to a song in a different "place" or context (genre--bluegrass version of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze"--a gender inversion with point of view/voice, et. al.
inspiration or imitation-
-George Harrison "My Sweet Lord" vs The Chiffons "He's so Fine" Harrison is found to have infringed copyright -Campbell v. Acuff Rose, 1994 Supreme Court Case Roy Orbison v. 2 Live Crew- Song was a parody that made fair use of the original song -Marvin Gaye "Got to Give It Up" (1977) vs. Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams "Blurred Lines" (2014) Required to pay Gaye/his family for infringement -Tom Petty "I Won't Back Down" v. Sam Smith "Stay With Me" Petty and Lynne are co-credited for Smith's song -Spirit "Taurus" (1967) v. Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven" (1971) Overturned in the inverse ratio rule -Jennfier Lopez "I'm Glad" video (2003) v. Flashdance (1983) Sony Music v. Paramount J Lo wins because case is dismissed
postmodernism
-Global Market (commodification) -Scientific Method eroding the authority of the arts and originality (technology) -TV generation (screen time and fragmentation) -American Grab Bag (niche) -1960s syndrome (continuity) -Moon landing, Vietnam, race riots, Woostock-- huge cultural events and shifts-- punk movement created an obsession with it -Yuppie factor (more consumerism) = young urban professionals
Song, Structure, Formula & Foundation
-Hook, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, Verse, Chorus (Under 3 minutes) -3 chords E-A-B Radio -Formats=Repetition of "Top" songs
recontextualization
-How we experience culture -Series of signs, symbols, codes, images -Capable of containing many meanings -Based on our socio/psycho and cultural experience
sherlock
-Hundreds of adaptations, internationally (TV, stage, film, video games, radio, print) -Holds two world records (Most Portrayed Literary Human Character in Film & TV" and First CGI) -One of the most recognized characters in history -BBC TV show is a modern take on the original series -Reproduced because people love a good old fashioned mystery, a "gotcha" story, and the quirkiness of the character. The genius of Holmes makes him stand out as a huge source of entertainment as you see how his complex brain "deduces" the details needed to solve the crime.
radical nostalgia
-Look back and one is dissatisfied with the present -Restore things to how they used to be, a golden age of social equilibrium and justice that had been interrupted by historical trauma or by ruling-class machinations.
reflective
-Reflecting, could be a more spiritual meditative form, more personal -Examples: personal and not political, easily seen in art, literature and music
music covers/ sampling/reissue/mashups
-Rick James "Super Freak" vs Mc Hammer "U Can't Touch This" Jame's sued and wanted songwriter credits-ended up getting listed as a co-writer James lawyers authorized this without his permission -Queen "Under Pressure" vs Vanilla Ice "Ice Ice Baby" Queen sued for copyright in 1990 but didn't come to a conclusions because they were not able to play the tracks in court Vanilla Ice decided it would be cheaper to purchase the publishing rights instead of having to pay royalties every time the song was played Cost around 4 million dollars at the time
restorative
-The good ole days, healing and trying to restore them. Restoring older order, folklore -Examples: pageantry, parages, folklore and romantic nationalism
four factors of measuring fair use
-The purpose and character of use -The nature of the copyrighted work -The amount and substantial of the portion taken -The effect of the use upon the potential market
cover song categories
-Traditional tunes ("Take me out to the Ballgame" (Stephen Foster American Songbook...)) -Patriotic anthems ("God Bless America"...) -Religious hymns/Spirituals ("Amazing Grace"...) -Work songs ("I've Been Working on the Railroad"...) -Military songs ("Anchors Away"...) -Children's songs & lullabies ("Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Froggy Went a Courtin'"...) -Holiday music ("White Christmas" et.al...) -Acapella (voice only) Muzak ("elevator music") -Marching bands Karaoke -Reissues/remastered--same songs/ different packaging -Deluxe Dilemma: cycle of customizing and upgrading an exclusive or remastered version and buying it over and over again
peculiar nostalgia
-Yearn for a time you weren't alive for those days -Romanticize an era that would have been fun, I wish I could have been there for that, etc. -Example: obsession with an era you did not live like Brigerton era (new fashion of corsets and Brigerton era style), romanticizing courtship concept, etc
televisions recombinant style
-copies/clones (reproduces formulas) (lowest form of imitation) -Spinoffs (redirects characters to another show, where they are lead) (both exploit success) -Recombinants (additive) -Most interesting form of imitation? -Self parody or caricature -Imitation to the next highest power
types of nostalgia
-radical -peculiar -restorative -reflective
Reynolds
17th century→ Johannes Hofer invented word and concept of nostalgia to describe a conditional afflicting Swiss mercenaries on long tours of military duty (AKA homesickness) Nostalgia was originally referred to a longing through space rather than time known as the ache of displacement Eventually became temporal as a wistful pinning for a halcyon lost time in one's life As it became demedicalized, it began to be seen as a collective longing for happiness, simpler, more innocent age Past definition of nostalgia was plausible, but nostalgia in modern sense is an impossible emotion Why did the meaning change? Mobility became more commonplace and unremarkable Mass immigration to the New World, settlers/pioneers in America, colonial/military service by Europeans in their various empires Landscape changes, new technologies, economic transformations, sociocultural shifts all meant that the world you grew up in looked very different from the world you grew old in 20th century Nostalgia is a universal emotion Radical & Revolutionary movements using nostalgia "Paradise lost and paradise regained" Second half of the 20th century, nostalgia became bound with pop culture Nostalgia is NOW thoroughly entwined with the consumer entertainment complex The intersection between mass culture and personal memory is the zone spawned by retro Relative, immediate past in living memory, artifacts of pop culture, not ideal or sentimental Retro is twinned w/ hipster From Powerpoint One of the great pop emotions Intersection of mass culture + personal memory Nostalgia as a condition Medical geographical roots: Homesickness-- "ache of displacement" Longing to return through space, rather than time De-Medicalized shift to temporal: Wistful pining for a halcyon lost time Emotion-- individual and collective Long night for happier, simpler age world that was familiar Impossible (useless?) emotion-incurable The present becomes a foreign country We have access to such much (mobile) Economic transformations Technological innovations Sociocultural shifts (PC culture today vs. 1950s culture) The second half of the 20th century Nostalgia bound with pop culture Youth culture Entertained with consumer entertainment complex Types of Nostalgia: Radical Look back and one is dissatisfied with the present Peculiar Yearn for a time you weren't a live for those days Romanticize an era that would have been fun, I wish I could have been there for that, etc. Restorative The good ole days, healing and trying to restore them. Restoring older order, folklore Reflective Reflecting, could be a more spiritual meditative form, more personal Quotes by Reynolds "Time wounds all wholes" "Misty remoteness from the past" Nostalgia is useless-- Bittersweet Experience "Waterloo Sunset"-- The Kinks (1967) song about capturing the moment In the space age, retro was used to refer to a "reverse thrust" in a rocket which is needed to go forward... retrograde burn is a term used to talk about rockets firing backwards Retro is about the relatively immediate past, about what happened in living memory Retro involves elements of exact recall and documentation of the past (files, photos, video, the internet) Retro generally involves artifacts of popular culture or playthings of the past Retro is more amused and charmed by it but is not ideal or sentimental... more about the present than the past "A ghostly inverse of the future" Consciousnesses Self conscious fetish for period stylization (music, literature, design, etc) experienced collectively through pastiche and citation Citation: reference to where something came from Pastiche: collection of different things pasted together Retro futurism Looking back to see how today viewed tomorrow Depictions of the future produced in an earlier era Retro=Hipster Don't look back? Does retro stop us from surging forward? Where is innovation? Is nostalgia... "One of the great pop emotions" "An impossible, incurable emotion" "One of the utterly most useless emotions"
When did the postmodern era begin?
1960's
In his Vanity Fair essay, what time frame does author Kurt Anderson use as a framework for his discussion of American popular culture and the RE mode?
80's-00's
According to Gitlin, which is the lowest form of imitation that reproduces formula?
A copy exploits success by reproducing a formula
covers
A cover is a performance done by someone other than the original artist
mashups
A mashup is using the vocals from another song to the beat of another Examples: Glee-Old time rock n' roll/Danger Zone DJ Earworm-end of the year mashup of popular songs for that year
Which is an example of recontextualization?
Any prequel, sequel Jumanji sequels Karate Kid vs. Cobra Kai Superman from comic to movie to TV show Superhero movies in general Star Wars Book→ Movie Harry Potter After series Lord of the Rings
The situation of the original is a prerequisite for
Authenticity
novelty
B-sides, rarities, obscure tracks as cover curiosities with high appeal to OCD collectors and aficionados of an artist or a song (such as myself). The Weeds opening was novel. Similarly, Tom's Album (1991), an odd collection of 12 widely varied interpretations of New York folkie Suzanne Vega's "little song, "Tom's Diner," from her Solitude Standing (1987) LP four years earlier, is one of those musical reflections of Warhol's Campbell's soup can grid composition. Cultural exhaustion or unnecessary repetition?
context
Conditions and circumstances surrounding a cultural text that reveal meaning
The conditions and circumstances that surround a cultural text and provide meaning is known as:
Context
Police Squad
Conventions of the television cop series genre (characters, dialogue, plots, settings etc). Even played with episode titles: The screen would display a different title what the announcer would read: A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise) Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)
stereophony
D. Weinstein's nifty term ("Introduction: Like a Version" p.6) referring to the relationship between the original and a cover version of a song. As "cultural siblings," the songs' rivalry and mutuality converge in a "stereophonic act" involving the listener's history, experience, tastes, knowledge, pleasure and appreciation, among other factors. In its simplest sense, the term decodes as "stereo" for the duality, "phony" suggesting lack of authenticity or originality.
resurrection
Dead Celebrity Hologram Tours Pepper's Ghost illusion. Creepy cool. A beam splitting illusion technique developed by English scientist John Pepper around 1862 and used across stage presentations.
ownership
Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" is considered "Whitney Houston's song" just as Janis Joplin made Kris Kristofferson's "Me & Bobby McGee" her own One of my favorite coming of age bands in the1960s--the (forementioned) Byrds--jingle jangled multiple Bob Dylan songs into hits: "Mr Tambourine Man," "My Back Pages," "All I Really Wanna Do (Is Bay Be Friends With You" (Cher also covered a version onto the charts) and many others, prompting group member David Crosby (NOT Bing's son, later of the legendary Crosby, Stills, Nash and (sometimes) Young) to proclaim: "We play Dylan better than Dylan."
In the view of media critic Tony Schwartz (during the 1980s), what in his view is the most significant invention since the printing press?
Electronic replay
Art has maintained its cultural authority over technology during the postmodern era.
False Scientific Methods encoding the authority of the arts and originality (technology)-- you can duplicate art on copy now-- less originality fake designer bags or clothes Scientific Method eroding the authority of the arts and originality (technology)
Tribeca
Familiar cop and procedural genre conventions and characters abound in Tribeca (the series not the New York neighborhood): a lone-wolf LAPD Detective (Angie), her new partner named J. Geils (borrowed from a well-known late 1960s rock band), will-they-won't-they sexual tension, an irritated precinct supervisor/captain, fellow detectives and squad, K9 unit, a brilliant medical examiner, heinous crimes in the city such as the murder of a ventriloquist and a rash of baker suicides.
film into tv
Fargo
Revival of slasher film
Formula Genre: Character stereotypes include the final girl, the promiscuous, the athlete, the nerd the fool & villain Reaction to post modern parenting & rising divorce rates Gender emphasis on final girl & in slasher films in general
pride and prejudice
Has been one of the most classical English novels by Jane Austen, originally written in 1813. It's timeless. There are countless adaptations. At least 17 movies and over a hundred of literature works. First appeared on screen in 1938 as a black and white TV movie. Austen's beautiful storytelling of the "happy ever after true love" becomes the ultimate classic, and its adaptations appeared in a wide range of productions, from TV series to film in the genres of rom-com, musical and action. The early adaptations are closely based on the original story. However, some modernization versions recently incorporated some present day social issues with much more varieties and cross cultural connections.
Tom Petty
Homage- (i.e. Tom Petty's indistinguishable version of Byrds "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better") Tom Petty "I Won't Back Down" v. Sam Smith "Stay With Me" Petty and Lynne are co-credited for Smith's song
Gitlin from reading
Imitation and recombination make up a cultural set that pervades Western life in the late decades of the 20th century. Constantly liken experience to other experience Comparison saturates not only public speech but private thought The creative act is not an act of creation in the sense of the Old Testament. It does not create something out of nothing; it uncovers, selects, reshuffles, combines, synthesizes already existing facts, ideas, faculties, skills. The more familiar the parts, the more striking the new whole. This idea degregates into mechanical juxtaposition by threatening the integrity of new work by collapsing it into variation on the old Nuance is often expressed as recombination: this w/ a touch of that, a hint of the other Industry sales efforts helps impost us all a new language of shorthand: semantic accompaniment of imitation and recombination Collage is both a recognition of and romantic protest against the world is finished or worn out Best art coaxes a distinct unity out of juxtaposition The style of conjunction is central to modern art Order can be assembled only from the juxtaposition of shards Ultimate recombinatory form is television Ads vs show Sequel and prologue The fascination TV works on its most furious bewailers is the fascination of meaningless raised to a universal principle (cultural exhaustion) The culmination of artistic weariness Powerpoint Gitlin Characteristics of Postmodernism Global Market (commodification) Scientific Method eroding the authority of the arts and originality (technology) TV generation (screen time and fragmentation) American Grab Bag (niche) 1960s syndrome (continuity) Moon landing, Vietnam, race riots, Woostock-- huge cultural events and shifts-- punk movement created an obsession with it Yuppie factor (more consumerism) = young urban professionals
impersonators
In 1977 A.D. (After [Elvis's] Death), there were estimated to be less than 50 Elvis Impersonators. By the 1990s, that number amplified dramatically to 35,000. At that rate, it was projected in 2017 that out of every four people in America was/is an Elvis impersonator. It's good to be King. ....Kenny Rogers impersonators
tv into film
In most cases, the movie ends up not being as good as the original series or source Mission Impossible (movie is better), the Addams Family, The Fugitive (the movie is better), Batman (TV show is better), 21 Jump Street (movie is better) Office UK vs Office USA
mulan
In the live-action movie, it was changed to the general who ordered Hua Mulan to bring the saber bestowed by the emperor Sincerity + bravery + truthfulness + loyalty + fighter status In 2020, consider the impact of "Metoo" (American Anti-Sexual Harassment Movement) Niki Caro--- Adhere to other qualities such as the courage of the true self and the heroic posture of martial arts. The soundtrack and lens arrangement are also very simple "Loyalty, Courage, True" lettering
During what era did nostalgia become bound with popular culture?
In the second half of the 20th century, nostalgia became steadily more and more bound up with pop culture. It expressed itself through pop culture, but it would also be triggered by the pop culture of one's youth.
Not characteristics of postmodernism
Innovation & originality
Nostalgia is the intersection of ________________and __________________.
Intersection of mass culture + personal memory
familiarity appeal
Knowing the lyrics, recognizing the melody...
franchises
Law and Order 1990-2010 SVU Special Victims Unit (1999-Present) Criminal Intent (2001-2011) Trial by Jury (2005-2006) LA (2010-2011) True Crime (anthology: Menendez Murders, etc) TV film (1998) and video games CSI CSI Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015) CSI Miami (2002-2012) CSI NY (2004-2013) CSI Cyber (2015-2016) The Real Housewives of... Dancing with the Stars celebrity "reinvention"
The recently "emerging" era of civilization that follows postmodernism has been labeled:
Metamodernism
cover coda
Much of the meaning and value in the cover song lies in the REform's ability to bring listeners to new places and positions, and to make possible the broadening, deepening and enhancing of appreciative capacity. We listen, and naturally compare and contrast, engaging in a duet between the original and its other versions...
holograms
Pepper's Ghost illusion . Creepy cool. A beam splitting illusion technique developed by English scientist John Pepper around 1862 and used across stage presentations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pjZ98p9k3c Controversial
Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Indiana were among the artists who were part of which art movement in the 1960s?
Pop Art: portrayal of any and all aspects of popular culture that had a powerful impact on contemporary life.
Forgery is an example of...
RE
Which type of nostalgia is associated with "dissatisfaction with the present?"
Radical
Printmaking techniques are
Reproducible
A trend in the arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era, or, looking back to see how today will be viewed tomorrow, is known as:
Retrofuturism Looking back to see how today viewed tomorrow, depictions of the future produced in an earlier era
preservation
Saving a song. Folk legend Woody Guthrie wrote a multitude of lyrics that he never recorded. His daughter approached Billy Bragg and Wilco (you know them from Wednesdays...) to record the songs, which they did, resulting in three volumes of remarkable material and bringing to life songs such as "California Stars" and "Secret of the Sea" (my favorites) which had never been heard.
Star Wars: the force awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens was made by Disney in an effort to revitalize the franchise for new audiences and appeal to the old fans as much as possible Chose to capitalize on the nostalgia factor as much as possible, and borrowed heavily from the first film in the franchise, A New Hope. This was done by mimicking the plot almost exactly (Droid is tasked with delivering important data to the rebel force that can provide an edge in the war and help stop the enemy from using a giant planet killing weapon against them) Characters are seemingly copied as well. Luke=Rey, Leia=Finn, Han Solo=Poe Dameron, Obi Wan=Han Solo, R2-D2=BB-8, and Darth Vader=Kylo Ren
Art has always been reproducible
TRUE
reissue
Taylor Swift example and why she is recording her fist six albums due to legalities and fair use
shales- from reading
The Re Decade is a replay of every decade Re Decade is everything that preceded it thrown into big electronic revue Replay, recycle, recall, retrieve, reprocesses, and rerum We are not amazed at the thought of time travel because we do it everyday Electronic society Television, where it always now is always some other time as well Never before have people, or a people, has nearly unlimited access to what has gone before, been able to call it up and play it back and relive it again and again. We are bombarded with cosmic rays Television is the national time machine National playback machine With cable there is an explosion of outlets for program sources... anything ever made for television becomes encore materials Age of ancillary market Everything is coming back and everything being made now is designed with comebackability built in On cable its almost always some other time On a good night or a bad night you can get a different year from every channel People still think television as a device of instantaneous communication, but chances are, when you turn it on you are not going to get anything very instantaneous except for the instantaneous playback of a film or tape recorded hours, weeks or years earlier Television and the newer associated technologies bring the world into the living room as the cliches of the Forties and Fifties promised they would... matric of many worlds gone before The Re Decade makes a mockery of the "fullness of time" The Re Decade is a byproduct of the communications revolution--cables, satellites and computers and home video Babies born now have their whole lives electronically taped Video recording is different from movies and radio bc we associated movies with fantasy and in radio you cannot see Art directors and cinematographers and customers can now whip up almost any period on cue, so long as it's from the days of movies or TV Every week a new era seems to pass into vogue, an era defined not by years but by specific pinpoint stylistic mind set If the dominant instrument now is the synthesizer, the dominant pop-art form may be collage .... You make new stuff from fragments of old stuff... todays raw materials may actually be the finished products of other ers Originality as a value has become outmoded in the Re Decade .... No longer sought or prized Things often stitched together from script of old stuff We are even more parasitical of the past and the past is more easily accessed than ever Tony Schwartz: electronic replay is most important invention Re Decade means the possibilities for becoming disoriented in time are greater than they have ever been before Television is the playback machine through which a million other moments can be relieved The Re Decade isn't only the beginning; it's only the middle
franchise
The Richard Berry early rock classic, "Louie Louie," has its own website, an excellent book by music critic Dave Marsh, Rhino Records Best of compilations, and marching band renditions among its 1,200 versions.
karate kid
The formula of these movies and tv shows don't change. It's the same "wise teacher + underdog + bully + love interest There are 5 movies and 1 tv show Cobra Kai is the tv show based on the original movies with the original actors with the same formula but it is now modified to fit the NEW GENERATION. We see the old generation meshing w the new one but still telling the same general story of the original karate kid (1984)
fair use
The fundamental concepts relevant to RE with copyright and creative works, inspiration, and imitation include the sense of ownership and intellectual property. Who is the creator of the work and what is the "unique existence of the work of art" (Benjamin)
Anderson
The past is a foreign country The First Great Paradox of Contemporary Cultural History Here is what's odd: during the same 20 years, the appearance of the world (computers, TVs, telephones, and music players aside) has changed hardly at all, less than it did during any 20-year period for at least a century The past is a foreign country, but the recent past-- the 00s, the 90s, even a lot of the 80s-- looks almost identical to the present If you look back prior to this, each 20 years looks different Ex: compare the 1950s to the 1970s Madonna to Gaga Movies and literature and music have never changed less over a 20-year period. Lady Gaga has replaced Madonna, Adele has replaced Mariah Carey Epiphany This bizarre Groundhog Day stasis of the last 20 years or so certainly feels like an end of cultural history Nostalgic Gaze Now that we have instant universal access to every old image and recorded sound, the future has arrived and it's all about dreaming of the past The very idea of datedness has lost the power it possessed during most of our lifetimes Never used to remake old TV shows or have Broadway musical revivals Nostalgia is the intersection of culture and living memory popular culture fixated on the past Loss of Appetite Jeans and sneakers remain the standard uniform for all ages, as they were in 2002, 1992, 1982 The world may have changed profoundly in the past 20 years but stylistically the recent past looks almost identical to the present Why is this happening? Collective reaction to all the profound nonstop newness we're experiencing on the tech and geopolitical and economic fronts Maxed out on our capacity to embrace flux and strangeness and dissatisfaction We are clinging as never before to the familiar in matters of style and culture Stagnant last couple of decades may be a secular rather than a cyclical trend Beginning of american civilization's new chronic condition, a permanent loss of appetite for innovation and the shockingly new As unchanging as American style and culture, americans' median income is just about where it was 20 years ago Amateur Stylists SoHo idea-- a tatty, disused urban stretch of old warehouses/factories transformed into a neighborhood of loft apartments and chic shops and restaurants-- became a redevelopment prototype and paradigm, rolling out like a franchise operation in cities across America and around the world The pivotal decade, mid-80s to the mid-90s, can be defined as one that began with Alessi's introduction of Michael Graves's newfangled old-fashion teakettle--- went mega-mass-market American GAP, Target, Ikea, Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Barnes & Noble (etc) franchises Apple Stories obsession, decorating/fashion emphasis Currently crave authenticity Yuppies making tastefulness something on a scale/spectrum Yuppie factor- yuppie means excessive consumption (constantly upgrading). Young Urban Professional The Second Great Paradox of Contemporary Cultural History Two prime cultural phenomena of the long freezing of stylistic innovation and the pandemic obsession with style have happened concurrently You'd think that style and other cultural expressions would be most exciting and riveting when they are unmistakably innovating and evolving Why is this happening? 1) In this thrilling but disconcerting time of technological and other disruptions, people are comforted by a world that at least still looks the it did in the past 2) Economics: like any lucrative capitatis sector, our massively scaled-up new style industry naturally seeks stability and predictability rapid/radical shifts in taste=more $$ to do business, threatening existence of enterprise Economic progress and innovation stagnated From Powerpoint The First Great Paradox of Contemporary Cultural History The past is a foreign country but the recent past looks almost identical to the present 1990s-Present... the end of cultural history as we know it? Big, obvious, defining differences in culture are difficult to identify Literature, music, movies, et al. have never changed less Culturally... what's dated and what's new? The 1970s Show: Nostalgic Gaze Nostalgia proliferated Popular culture fixated on the past Grease, American Graffiti Musical Sampling Madonna: The Mother of REinvention Madonna vs. Gaga Talk Show Host vs. Talk Show Host Reinvention of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn Jenner "The Next Dylan"/ "The New Dylan" There is no way to accurately or adequately laud Bob Dylan. He is the Homer of our time. The next bob Dylan will not come around for another millennium or two, making it highly unlikely that it will happen at all -- Rolling Thunder Revue Logbook (1975) Intelligent lyrics Sings off kilter Strums a guitar Harmonica Mashup Age: been there done that The future has arrived and it's all about dreaming of the past-- Anderson It's All Good... Nothing is obsolete and nothing is really new The role of technology (instant universal access to almost everything) Our cultural response Unconscious collective reaction to profound nonstop newness Limited capacity to embrace flux Maxed out, we cling to familiar Why Did/Is This Happening? Cyclic trend or a chronic cultural condition? Loss of interest in and lack of innovation The more certain things change for real (technology, global economy)... the more other things (style, culture) stay the same Amateur Stylists Yuppies Stylish retail goes mega market Target, Gap, Starbucks, Ikea, etc SoHo: redevelopment prototype Lifestyle of decorating, food and fashion Tastefulness scaled Apple Stores look contemporary like a space odyssey The Second Paradox A 25 year freeze of stylistic innovation and the pandemic obsession of style have happened concurrently The paradox: style and other cultural expressions would be most exciting and riveting when they are unmistakable innovative evolving The Same Old Same Old Democratization of culture and style Economic stability and predictability Only change is to production and distribution sameness/niche homogeneous/individual Massive damper for impetus for innovation and change Benjamin,
a star is born
There are 4 movies: 1937, 1954, 1976, and 2018. All of them follow the general formula that if a new star is born then the old star must die (all resulting in death). The 1954 version was a musical because musicals were trending during this time period. The 2018 version is a combination of the other three movies. It also changed the actors names to culturally fit in. Music: The soundtrack for the 1937 version was more traditionally orchestral, The 1954 started the trend of movie musicals, The 1976 version was also a musical, but based around rock in order to fit culturally in, the most recent version keeps the "rockstar" element, but the movie modernizes Lady Gaga's character by making her more popstar than rockstar. Movie posters: all the movie posters, minus the 1954 musical, follow the same design of: male lead on left, female lead on right, and the same bright yellow coloring to resemble "a star."
inverse ratio rule
To prove copyright infringement, a plaintiff must show that the alleged infringer had "access" to the plaintiff's work, and that the two works are "substantially similar." The inverse ratio rule — which had not been adopted in other circuits — held that the more access was shown, the less similarity was required to establish infringement. The rule has been a thorn in the side of defendants — including record labels and major artists — for decades.
Cultural consumers have been more "mobile" between the three major cultural divisions during the postmodern era.
True "Mobile"---more accessible to all culture and its stuff, products et al. Three divisions of culture are high, popular and folk. In postmodernism we move around more and have all access. Focus on the postmodern traits. Niche, global market, lack of originality etc.
According to Anderson in his "Devolution" essay, the more a global economy changes the more style and culture stay the same.
True Currently in a vicious cycle of economic progress & innovation stagnated
Nostalgia was initially recognized as a medical and geographical condition before a cultural state.
True Medical geographical roots: Homesickness-- "ache of displacement" Longing to return through space, rather than time
Art and cultural products have become more reproducible during the postmodern era.
True Scientific Methods encoding the authority of the arts and originality (technology)-- you can duplicate art on copy now-- less originality fake designer bags or clothes
Originality is a significant issue in RE and the mode of postmodern production.
True Scientific Methods encoding the authority of the arts and originality (technology)-- you can duplicate art on copy now-- less originality fake designer bags or clothes American Grab Bag→ tons of brands of toothpaste, soap, soda, etc. tons of options and brands for the same item
Film and Television
Weeds (Showtime) Malvina Reynolds, 1960s suburbia song "Little Boxes" Weeds began using different cover version of "Little Boxes" every episode beginning season 2, among the artists Death Cab for Cutie, Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis, Regina Spektor, the Submarines, Engelbert Humperdink, the Shins, Billy Bob Thornton, the Decemberists, Joan Baez, Donovan Randy Newman, Linkin Park and others. Interestingly, if not surprisingly, the novel concept never resulted in a recorded compilation of the various versions. I'd buy it! Television (so called) Talent Shows: American Idol, Lip Sync Challenge, etc., Dramadies: Glee, Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist, Dramas: Grey's Anatomy
Which is commonly considered the touchstone image of nostalgia as "wistful pining?"
Wizard of Oz "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" Nostalgia used to be a medical term and condition- it experienced a DE medicalized shift to temporal- wistful pining for a halcyon lost time, emotion (individual and collective), longing for happier, simpler age world that was familiar
echo boomers
a demographic of consumers who rediscovered and appropriated the iconography, music, language and lifestyle of earlier eras as the basis for defining their own culture and perspective. (an echo of Simon Reynolds and Kurt Anderson, as identified on National Public Radio show Sound and Spirit "Nostalgia" episode. (2000).
transformative fair use
a newer refinement of "fair use" referring to work that adds something new and contains a further purpose or different character and does not substitute for the original use of the work
derivative fair use
a work based on or derived from one or more existing works Common derivative works: translations, musical arrangements, motion picture version of literary works or plays, art reproductions, abridgement, condensations of preexisting work
parody
an intentionally imitative creative act, work (film, song, magazine, sketch (SNL) et. al), genre, or production that mirrors a particular work, performance, production, presentation by emphasizing the familiar conventions and reference points, primarily for humorous (ironic, satiric) effect or comment on the original work, its subject, style, creator . As a comic subgenre, the form is also referred to as a spoof, send-up, take-off, lampoon, play on, caricature, satire, joke, mockumentary. Examples: Shaun of the Dead, Mel Brooks films like Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein, Scary Movie, Weird Al Yankovic, MAD magazine, National Lampoon,
dance
as a culture form is inherently RE
The original preserves _____
authenticity
The triumph of the synthetic- Todd gitlin
formula/genre conventions: character, plot, theme, motifs, setting, iconography networks/producers: shows have a samess, "a looks," feel, tone, rhythm, signature style Playback: on demands/DVR (time shifting) Syndication: (distribution) off network "reruns" (very profitable $) Scheduling: always accessible and repeated viewing Reboots: back by popular demand or agin shamelessly money grab
Replay
nostalgia, Reynolds talks about this the most Nostalgia One of the great pop emotions Intersection of mass culture + personal memory
Musicals
notably the Brill(iant) Building/Tin Pan Alley composers
prequels
opposite end of sequel focuses on the events that occur before the original narrative forms a backstory to the preceding work "Better Call Saul," "Bates Motel," "The Carrie Diaries,"
Unplugged
popular live music series on MTV featuring acoustic renditions of electric songs Nirvana "Come as You Are" (1993):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9LiPuVRyU8
Thriller
produced in 1983, approaching epic length for the era at 13:42 long (in contrast to the more standard 3-4 minutes), with an equally striking $500,000 budget, directed by John Landis. The production/performance has invited many imitators, renditions and/or parodies Many redos South Park, 13 going on 30, Dancing Inmates, World Record....
Sampling
reuse of music or sound in a new or different composition or recording Ariana Grande's "7 Rings" from "My Favorite Things" from Sound of Music
Distribution of REruns across the cable television/streaming landscape is known as ____?
syndication
what does Barthelme consider to be the central principle of all art in the 20th century
the principle of collage
Regular patterned events and activities that are inherently repetitive in popular culture are known as__?
traditions
With few exceptions, any time a cultural product is repeated, replayed, or redistributed, the original creator will receive some financial compensation or royalty payment.
true
Mashup
vocal track from one song with music track from another song
