Lady Gaga debuted her “Alejandro” video on YouTube, a platform that allowed her to reach a large and diverse audience. Within four months, it had become one of “YouTube’s all-time most-viewed music clips” with “94 million” views (Kaufman). Lady Gaga collaborated with Steven Klein to produce this music video. Klein stated they incorporated “religious imagery to convey the conflicted relationship between the sacred and secular” (Gary, 185). This relationship is depicted in the video as a battle between good and evil forces within the world. The use of religious imagery in the video received negative responses, specifically from religious organizations such as the Catholic League. Lady Gaga has used her music videos to spark conversations around …show more content…
The Catholic League’s mission is to protect and defend the Holy Catholic Church (Donohue). Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League, stated that “in the video Lady Gaga plays Madonna wannabe, squirming around half-naked with half-naked guys and abusing Catholic symbols—they’re always Catholic symbols” (Donohue). This comment showcases the offense that was taken by Lady Gaga’s use of Catholic imagery in various parts of her video and also draws attention to the fact that similar imagery is often used by artists in their videos. Outside of the video itself, Donohue also commented that “like Madonna, Lady Gaga was raised Catholic and then morphed into something totally unrecognizable” (Donohue). Throughout this piece, Lady Gaga is often linked to Madonna, an artist who has been publicly ridiculed for her use of Catholic images in her music videos and its relation to social justice issues. This statement draws a parallel between their journey from childhood to career, affixing the negative views of Madonna onto Lady Gaga. During an interview, Lady Gaga described herself as being “very confused about religion” (Donohue). In response to this, the Catholic League stated that “saying she is confused is quite an understatement” and that they “hope that she finds her way back home” (Donohue). Bill Donohue’s response to the “Alejandro” …show more content…
In addition to the symbol itself, the atmosphere of the scene is used to focus the audience’s “attention on particular elements” within the frame (“Part 2”). Understanding the staging of these scenes provides a foundation for interpreting the emblem within the context of the video. The setting of the scene “creates both a sense of place and a mood” (“MISE-EN-SCENE”). In this shot, Lady Gaga is laying on a bed with black, silk sheets. These black sheets create a stark contrast with her red habit, white coif, and white guimpe. The background is black and the other props in this scene include black rosaries on a bedside table. The dark sheets and background focus the audience’s attention on Gaga’s costume. The bright lighting highlights the shininess of the habits material, revealing that the material is not clothlike, but rather a material like latex. The camera then proceeds to zoom further on Lady Gaga, until only Gaga’s face, coif, and guimpe are visible in the frame. The use of contrast, lighting techniques, and camera angels makes Gaga the focal point of this scene. As the center of attention, the audience is focused on the clothing and actions performed which underscore the importance of the symbolism used in this
Overt sexual and gender stereotyped messages have become commonplace in the American music video scene. Nicki Minaj 's video for her hit single “Anaconda” is no exception, with its graphic images of scantily clad women with vibrating and shaking bodies dancing around in an exotic jungle setting with plenty of phallic imagery. Not all of the messages conveyed by this video are immediately apparent; upon scratching the surface, viewers will see gender messages that are far more covert. And while there may be a temptation to assume the worst about the video 's representation of power, gender, sexuality, and stereotype, the video is also strangely empowering. On the surface, Minaj portrays the female gender as highly sexualized and disempowered and yet some of the deeper messages in this video also reflect a sense of female empowerment, confidence, and an embracing of sexuality and sexual assertiveness.
It resembles a French boudoir scene by its subtle use of line on the subject and her surroundings. The line is clearer on the woman’s nude body as there are definite outlines along her upper body, back, and lower body. Line is also visible because of the draping on the bed cover, which suggests movement. The curved line and harsher shadows on the left side of the cover are seen as making a shape that resembles the women’s derrière. The line that splits the painting in two quadrants begins at the edge of the women’s left elbow and ends at the tip of her left toes. Line makes an appearance in the background of the reflection in the slight bunching of material hanging behind her. The artist uses shadow to emphasize line on the women’s back and her bottom. The shadows are also noticeable along her arms, chest, and side, in her refection. The shadows are not distractingly dark, but
Her very warm outfit gives the picture a sense of emotion that can affect the audience outlook of the perfume on oneself. The lighting filter emphasizes shades shown by the product notifying that this is the best a woman can receive. The lighting looks to be coming from the sun angled downward on the woman and, the field of flowers colors’ blends in to give the flowers a more delicate look as women would look at them. The flowers’ colors have similar warmth matching the lighting. If the colors were to be an off color not matching the lighting, the photo would lose its focus of the warm tone the advertisement is bringing because of the different tone the color brings. The lighting on to the flowers causes the flowers to pop out more than other items due to the slight color difference; this pop out affection connects to the perfume name “poppy.” The lighting makes her stand out, making her the overall focus. The audience grabs an idea of how the flowers smell and wants to be involved in the peace that her body language portrays. The woman when wearing this perfume receives that power but still have a gentle image. The lighting being her power, which causes her to stand out, gives the audience a reason to receive the strong light in their life also. Women are expected to be loving and peaceful people to maintain an image for society, but also wants to have a powerful structure, however it’s hard to not be perceived as overly dominate woman living up to myths , that a good life consists of buying possessions and our body is not good enough toward
...f the film either on a metaphorical or objective level. Actors are the only form of mise-en-scene that portrays characters in films through the use of gestures and movements. Performance is the only central component around which the narrative as well as mise-en-scene revolves (Corrigan, 2004). Gerald Millerson writes about the science behind how the human eye interprets light, how lighting a frame with purpose can trick what the audience views. The book also goes on to explain the nature and intensity of lighting, an assessment of colors and how integral color mixture is to achieve a desired result (Millerson, 1999). Costume and makeup go a step further as they connect the performance to the settings (Speidel). Transition can be shown through make up and costume and also one can be creative with makeup and make a young character look older in age (Bordwell,1979).
...ause the look of curiosity of the girl extends beyond the frame. This gives the painting a sense of curiosity.
There are many women who utilize hip-hop to illustrate the struggles of their everyday lives (Durham). Beyoncé uses hip-hop as a positive tool. She utilizes hip-hop’s large fan-base to spread feminist’s ideas, such as women empowerment through her song, “Who Runs the World (Girls)”. This song highlights the strength of women, "Smart enough to make these millions/ Strong enough to bear the children/ Then get back to business" (Beyoncé). Other songs by Beyoncé that support her feminist views are “If I Were a Boy”, “Pretty Hurts”, and “Flawless”. Beyoncé’s song “Flawless” features A TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a feminist Nigerian author (Qureshi). Other examples of women in hip-hop that utilize hip-hop as a positive tool include India Arie, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, and many more. These women use hip-hop to counteract the negative images created about women presented by a majority of male hip-hop artists through their songs and music
The unveiling of a piece of artwork symbolises the gradual revelation of the girl’s feelings. At the beginning of the text she seems to have no emotions, “Live. Survive. They’re the same thing” and “she thought the thoughts of a machine.” She is portrayed as robot-like and is not in possession of feelings or vulnerability. However, over the course of the story, she progressively gives in to her overwhelming, pressing emotions. “She took off her watch and bikini and lay in the sun” and “She ran naked down to the water.” This can be perceived as the beginning of the exposing of her emotion; her nakedness introduces a sense of vulnerability, a quality not associated with machines. In addition, the leaving behind of her watch reinforces the idea of the deterioration of her ‘robotness’. The watch is a symbol of time and regulation, the girl choosing to abandon it, represents her no longer needing to rely on regulation and control. By the end of the story, her true emotions had surfaced, “No, you old bitch” and “She cut through the water and filled up cold with anger”. She is no longer machine–like and automatic. This final display of emotion is represented through the uncovering of the artwork. The man whom is uncovering the piece symbolises the mother. It essentially was the girl’s mother who filled her daughter’s head with her “stupid, recurring statements” and as a result, emotion. Furthermore, the exposure of her emotions coinciding with her death implies that, although emotions are stereotyped as something beautiful to share, her emotions were engulfing and devastating. In conclusion, the disintegrating of her ‘robot-like’ armor is represented through the uncovering of a piece of artwork.
...picts flesh and facial expressions such as joy, awe and respect. Furthermore, the texture of the clothes reveals Giotto’s attention to detail. This is evident in the thick lush robes that fall between Madonna’s legs in a realistic manner. Besides, there is a loose folding that seems fill the real space.
It differs greatly, in its portrayal of mothers, from Le Brun’s Self-portrait with her Daughter and Cassatt’s artworks. Behind Marie Antoinette, you see a jewelry cabinet, off to the right of the canvas. This illustrates that, although she is with her children, she finds treasure within her own materialistic objects. Furthermore, her expression lacks emotion as she holds the child loosely within her arms. The child looks off, barely acknowledging its mother, who is holding him. Next, the child, on the far right of the canvas, reveals an empty cradle, alluding to a child who has died. Again, Marie seems unfazed or simply chooses not to acknowledge the boy’s actions. Furthermore, the young girl, on the right of the canvas, clings on to her mother as she lovingly looks up to her mother. Marie holds a wry smile, appearing somewhat annoyed or displeased. The color scheme is dark, but Le Brun utilizes contrast to emphasize the royal family. However, it only works to further expose the detached relationship between a Marie and her children. According to the lecture, “To counter people’s hatred of the queen and their criticisms of her as a bad (even a degenerate) mother, Vigée Le Brun was commissioned to paint this portrait of Marie Antoinette and her children” (Gartrell). Sadly, the painting was
First, the lighting is very bleak and dim. The scene takes place after the characters are done working and they are undoubtedly tired and the lighting is used in this way to showcase how the characters are feeling. Second, the props around the actors also contribute to telling the story by showing the audience that this is their workplace, the truck, the brooms, the trash can, and cleaning supplies all around them are what achieves this. The costumes also contribute to the mise en scene by telling the audience clearly that the three girls are the employees and that Luther is the boss of them. The composition of the actors is also a part of the mise en scene and important to telling the story. The actors are positioned in ways to reaffirm that Luther is the boss, and also to let the audience know the girls are tired from working. The way they are slouched and resting against props is what achieves the mood of the scene (Set It
In the early 1980’s, women were not supposed to be open-minded or even allowed to have such sexual thoughts that Madonna inspired. Women were expected to be traditional and keep their femininity behind closed doors. When Madonna first came into the entertainment business, it was a complete shock for everyone. No one could believe a woman was capable of being a sex symbol in public. It was not Madonna’s fault that she was simply a desirable creature to everyone (Allen 5). In today’s youth, people are used to watching television and music videos since a young age. We learn from the media and it helps us to comprehend the representations that it is giving of society. Madonna became the main subject of the media and society. Since, celebrities are always focused on by the media; they have the power to impact society by showing their perspective of thoughts and images. Accord...
“Marie Antoinette” (2006) directed by Sofia Coppola is a drama/comedy, that is centered on the life of the notorious Queen of France, in the years leading up to the French Revolution. Coppola’s film style was very modern avant garde. The film focuses on Antoinette point of view throughout all her adventures and difficulties. She was the character with whom the viewer identified with the most, her observation were the most important (aside from the audience). Therefore there were many close ups and high lighting on her. The film also invokes the lesson that luxuries is not everything that it will not make you completely happy, which makes the audience feel somewhat sympathetic towards the queen. Coppola successfully achieves to use beautiful and extravagant cinematography to tell the story of the late Marie Antoinette. The mise-en-scene of the film that will be discussed is setting, costume, lighting and figure behavior.
Madonna had always been a holy icon until the early 1980’s when the name “Madonna” developed a dual connotation. The introduction of America’s top female sex symbol Madonna created an image far opposite of the previously known hallowed one. In John Fiske’s essay “Madonna,” he depicts the singer’s character, portraying her as socially and semiotically powerful. Although his essay is currently outdated, Fiske illustrates an illusion of Madonna that Generation Xers eventually accepted and will probably never forget.
Lady Gaga fills her music with songs religious images. Gaga 's song, Bloody Mary, is full of the same religious influence shown in the lyrics and imagery. Lady Gaga does not seem to be the narrator or the star of the song, but rather “Mary” whomever she may be. The entire song is alludes to religious icons of Mary, Jesus and Pontius Pilate, but mainly the story of Mary. Possibly Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ followers, not unlikely the idea of other 'Mary 's ', such as 'Bloody Mary ' or Jesus’ mother, The Virgin Mary. The perspective of the song shows that there is a strong bond between her and the Lord Jesus, in worship or possibly romantic way which proves that the song is not a reference to the folklore of Bloody Mary. It cannot be
Focusing on Lady Gaga as an example of an anti feminist icon highlights how antifeminism has challenged the founding the concepts of feminism and is also being challenged in the 21st Century. Lady Gaga, is one of today’s most famous female celebrities and holds a unique cultural position. She is constantly in the public eye and in a recent interview spoke of her views on feminism. Gaga believes that there has been a misinterpretation in the view of feminism as man hating when in fact “it has nothing to do with them” I ...