Referencing the article on popular music by Theodor W. Adorno, there are 'two spheres of music', serious music and popular music. Although there are points that I do not agree with, especially in today's music industry, there are several valid points that make an interesting study. According to Adorno, popular music is standardized in a way that every aspect of it such as the rhythm to the lyrics have all been 'pre- digested' this ultimately makes a new pop song sound familiar to something that they have already been tuned to accept. This has been referred to as 'Pseudo- individualization' by Adorno; people think that they're making an independent choice of what type of music they like, but infact, he states that popular music is simply the process of reproducing what has already been done. 'The schematic buildup dictates the way in which he must listen'.
The idea of music being categorised into different genres refer the idea of 'Pseudo- individualization' in a way that people actively search for music that would sound similar to something that they've already heard of before, they are not searching for something new but for music that 'is already listened to for them' An example of this in today's technology include a website called Last Fm, the site would recommend music that would sound similar to another band/ artist that has been specified by the user. Although this may seem to help expand the user's knowledge on music, it is infact restricting them to music that they expect.
Adorno also writes about the listeners of pop music and the theory of 'plugging',
' One need only repeat something until it is recognized in order to make it accepted' ( Theodor W. Adorno studies in Philosophy and social science, New York) this can be achieved by constantly broadcasting a song repeatedly through the format of tv and radio for it to be recognized by people. Adorno's attempt to define the listeners of popular music resulted in the; rhythmically obedient and emotional type. The rhythmically type being the ones who would recognise and obey to the beat of the music, which reinforces the idea of a schematic rhythm/ beat to pop songs. The 'emotional' has been referred to as people who would relate the type of lyrics and music videos.
A recent example of popular music I have chosen that supports Adorno's theory on popular music; Leona Lewis - Bleeding in Love://
Video has been disabled for embedding so here's the link://
Leona Lewis - Bleeding in Love
Areas that support Adorno's theory on music://
- Firstly the timing of releasing this straight after the X Factor supports the theory of plugging. Lewis was on the program every week so people became familiar with her and eventually accepted her music as proven by the no. 01 single. On top of this, the track was constantly being promoted and played on the radio.
- The lyrics of the song can easily be related by listeners of the 'emotional' type.
- This has also been encouraged by the video, showing break ups and failed relationships etc.
- Rhythmically, the structure of the song is quite simple, with a emphasis on the bass and snare drum and a catchy chorus.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Panopticism://
The theory of Panopticism was originally developed by french philosopher Michel Foucault, who based the idea on a Panopticon; a circular structured prison, which would allow the observer to observe all the prisoners at one time from a central watch tower. The Panopticon was designed by french philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who described it as "a new mode of obtaining power of mind over mind, in a quantity hitherto without example." (The Panopticon Writings, London: Verso, 1995, 29-95.) The design of these would mean that each prisoner would have their own space, which strips them off any form of communication and contact with other people, meaning that there would be no issues with spreading any illnesses and most importantly it would make them focus more on being observed 24 hours. The idea of the Panopticon was was oversee all the prisoners from one point, without allowing the prisoners themselves to know whether they are being observed, " He is seen, but he does not see; he is the object of information, never a subject in communication" (Foucault, Michel Discipline & Punish: The Birth of the prison) prisoners will start to self regulate, and observe themselves without the need for guards. Summing it up, Foucault's theory derives from the concept of the Panopticon in the way that a Panoptic system would create subconscious discipline.
Although none of the Panopticons exist anymore due to it inhumane methods, Foucault's panopticism theory is evident in today's contemporary culture. One example of this is would be a typical retail working environment that I have experienced myself. " To induce the inmate a state of conscious and permanet visibility that assures the automatic funtioning of power" ( Foucault, Michel Discipline & Punish: The Brith of the prison, pg 82), CCTV's are everywhere in today's public environment. In the retail working environment for example, CCTV's are placed in every corner of the shop front, which is meant to be for safetly precautions. However, the footage can be viewed live from the stores manager's office, which would provide him with direct view and control over his employees in a way that the people working in the shop front will be aware that they're constantly being recorded and observed on CCTV therefore will act accordingly.
Another example of Panopticism in a retail working environment is the proces of logging in on all the computer / till systems. This would provide the manager will a record of alt the information on each employee, it'll give them an idea of their shop front activity aswell as a record of every single transaction. " Visibility is a trap" (//////), everyone's activity is constantly recorded while they're working, except for the store managers. However he again is under the panoptic eye in a way that the audit will make weekly inspections on the store manager. In a general working environment, there will always be a sense of hiararchy, which feeds into the panopticism theory.
Below://
A piece of video work I did in my first year that involves a time lapse of my work space over 6 hours during a Saturday afternoon. In some ways, I think this relates to the theories of Panopticism as I felt that I was self regulating and achieved more during that day simply because I knew that I was being observed. Interesting...
Although none of the Panopticons exist anymore due to it inhumane methods, Foucault's panopticism theory is evident in today's contemporary culture. One example of this is would be a typical retail working environment that I have experienced myself. " To induce the inmate a state of conscious and permanet visibility that assures the automatic funtioning of power" ( Foucault, Michel Discipline & Punish: The Brith of the prison, pg 82), CCTV's are everywhere in today's public environment. In the retail working environment for example, CCTV's are placed in every corner of the shop front, which is meant to be for safetly precautions. However, the footage can be viewed live from the stores manager's office, which would provide him with direct view and control over his employees in a way that the people working in the shop front will be aware that they're constantly being recorded and observed on CCTV therefore will act accordingly.
Another example of Panopticism in a retail working environment is the proces of logging in on all the computer / till systems. This would provide the manager will a record of alt the information on each employee, it'll give them an idea of their shop front activity aswell as a record of every single transaction. " Visibility is a trap" (//////), everyone's activity is constantly recorded while they're working, except for the store managers. However he again is under the panoptic eye in a way that the audit will make weekly inspections on the store manager. In a general working environment, there will always be a sense of hiararchy, which feeds into the panopticism theory.
Below://
A piece of video work I did in my first year that involves a time lapse of my work space over 6 hours during a Saturday afternoon. In some ways, I think this relates to the theories of Panopticism as I felt that I was self regulating and achieved more during that day simply because I knew that I was being observed. Interesting...
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Manchester Visit 09://
A brief selection of photographs that document my visit to Manchester Urbis exhibition, Home Grown - The Story of Hip Hop as part of an introduction to our critical & theoretical studies.
I found the general layout of the exhibition quite well organized and the work was displayed in a consistent format. I particularly liked the bold type and layout of the text, which went well with the hip hop theme i guess.
Might not be able to tell on from the photo, but this was printed in a almost half tone like effect://
Some rather interesting documents from the early hip hop era, reflecting some nice layout/ editorial designs://
Some duo toned newsletter prints://
A few nice pieces of photograph displayed through light boxes. And look, I found a ninja!!!! (Refer to my 'What is good' project if you're confused)
A collection of record designs and their sleeve designs. Although not entirely my kinda thing, it still looked rather impressive as a collection; reflecting the importance of exhibition design and how to plan the layout of the place.
I found the general layout of the exhibition quite well organized and the work was displayed in a consistent format. I particularly liked the bold type and layout of the text, which went well with the hip hop theme i guess.
Might not be able to tell on from the photo, but this was printed in a almost half tone like effect://
Some rather interesting documents from the early hip hop era, reflecting some nice layout/ editorial designs://
Some duo toned newsletter prints://
A few nice pieces of photograph displayed through light boxes. And look, I found a ninja!!!! (Refer to my 'What is good' project if you're confused)
A collection of record designs and their sleeve designs. Although not entirely my kinda thing, it still looked rather impressive as a collection; reflecting the importance of exhibition design and how to plan the layout of the place.
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