Lecture 2 Flashcards
The three elements involved in meaning of production of an image (besides image itself and producer)
- codes and conventions of the image
- viewers and how they interpret the image
- exhibition and viewing context
Interpellation
process by ideological systems call out to/hail social subjects and tell them their place in the system. Uses images ads, films
ex. Uncle Sam, They Live (film 1988)
Intervisuality
describes heightened mix of media/design involving range of media forms
ex. sunset strip LA, NYC Times Square- Tidal ad, YouTube videos
What is The Death of an Author?
Book, 1967, Roland Barthes
no ultimate author meaning/intention in work for readers to uncover. Meaning strongly influenced by context, author not primary producer of the meaning.
Factors that inform taste
- Class
- cultural background
- education
- national framework
- aspects of identity and social experience
Taste
Subjective and non-universal, acquired through cultural education
Good Taste
knowledge of high culture: fine art, literature, classical music, opera, ballet
ex. Death of Socrates
Bad Taste
product of ignorance of quality
ex. comic strips, television, cinema
Kitsch
something designed in poor taste bc 1. trite/overused 2. overly sentimental 3. bright and showy Mass produced objects that are cheap versions of classical beauty (Last Supper on velvet)
Kitsch according to Clement Greenberg
formulaic, cheap and inauthentic design
ex. 9/11 teddy bear, Mao Zedong figures (murderer seen as benevolent)
The Mona Lisa of Kitsch
The Chinese Girl
1952- bought for 2,000 sold again for 1.5 mill
High Culture
Fine art, classical music, opera, ballet
Low Culture
cinemas, comics, tv
Blurring of High and Low
criticized bc it affirms classist hierarchies, innacurate measure between cultural forms consumed and class position ex. Jeff Koons- chia pet and puppy
Shepard Fairey
1989- created “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker… poor taste?
Obey Giant Logo
Barack Obama “Hope” Poster
How is artwork defined?
- Authenticity
- Uniqueness
- Aesthetic Style
- provenance
- Artist’s signature
ex. Edvard Munch scream pastel
Institutional Critique
reveals how institutions (museums) are driven by political, cultural, and economic biases.
ex. Maryland Historic Society- slave shackles, guarded view at Whitney Museum of American Art
Althusser and Ideology
ideology represents imaginary relationship of individuals to real conditions of existence
Marx and Ideology
created Marxism to analyze capitalism. Those who own factories/ raw material are exploiting workers. control ideas and viewpoints. masses coerced to buy into belief system upholding industrial capitalism.
Hegemony
dominant ideology is a struggle rather than oppressive force that dominates subjects
Two central aspects of hegemony
- Dominant ideologies- “common sense”
- dominant ideologies are in tension w/ other forces and constantly in flux
ex. Uncle Sam- the government wants you to believe, common sense and can push back
Counterhegemony
forces in society that work against dominant ideologies/power systems. Keep them in constant flux
Negotiating Ideologies
- Dominant-hegemonic: accepted at face value
- Negotiated: Acceptance and rejection (most)
- Oppositional: rejection
Transcoding
practice of taking terms/meanings & appropriating to create new meanings
ex. queer, dyke
