Homework postmodern essay

Discuss two or more media texts that you would define as 'postmodern' and explain why you would give them this label.

My first media text that I have chosen as a representable artist within postmodern media is singer and lyricist Lady GaGa. She has suddenly become recognised worldwide since the release of her debut album ‘The fame’ only 18 months ago. Since then she has successfully exploited herself in detail through her music and lyrical choices as well as the way she has always presents herself in the public eye. My reason for labeling Lady GaGa with this title is due a range of elements that display an additional identity for Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, this is Lady GaGa. Everything about her character is exaggerated to express features and connotations that make such controversial statements.
Lady GaGa’s character evolved from many inspirations from pop culture including Andy Warhol and David Bowie, both these people are often made reference to throughout her public displays and performances. An example of this was at the beginning of GaGa’s career when should never been see at performances or interviews without a lightening bolt across her face similar to David Bowie. This reference to his iconic image highlights his efforts to create new identities for each of his albums along with their genre of music; both these artists explore the impact of manufacturing a person that challenges society and values. For example Lady GaGa has deliberately molded her character around the negative things she feels are present in society similar to Andy Warhol who highlighted vanity and various cultural messages; her motivation behind her extreme clothing style such as dresses constructed from Kermit the Frog heads and another that consisted only of transparent plastic bubble, she strives to complete the image of a ‘freak’. This dramatic contrast between the appearance of fame and her image is the statement that has captivated people worldwide and forced everyone to recognise a new reality.
Another factor of her appearance is wearing black lens glasses - often present in interviews and large performances. This is reference to the image of the ‘haunted celebrity’; Michael Jackson was commonly known to make this statement also. Her concept of identity is what has made her career so explosive and fortunately for her the public has accepted her and appreciates her work. A quote from a Guardian journalist stated ‘[contemporary] rock and pop performers today have to speak in multi-media tongues’, Lady GaGa presence is an example of this.

My second media text that I am looking at is the film Fight Club. Despite starring Brad Pit and Edward Norton the film failed to make an impression on the box office and it wasn’t until it became released on DVD that it became the film to watch. As the word spread about this film so did the status that came with it, even to the extent that many fight club groups were formed all over the country following the films impact. Though it is not only this that has earned its name as a great postmodern film, it is numerous subtle elements that build up this narrative and challenge the audience.
An example of this is the narrative; beginning with the last scene of the film (the future) followed by jumping to the beginning of the film (the past). This irregular flow of time highlights that none of it is in present time and where it stands in reality. The element of manipulating time is a huge part of postmodernism as it creates a whole new reality, this ironically relates to the twist in then story where there Edward Norton’s character realises that he is both himself and Tyler durden (Brad Pit’s character). This concludes that a lot of the film is questionable whether parts are imagined or reality and therefore part of a new reality which is his imagination in his mind.
The strong address of violence within the film is often paired with humor; Brad Pit’s character is seen to influence many crimes and acts of destruction which are references to serious issues happening in the modern world and society however I believe that the film have twisted the character to also introduce humor to highlight that these events within the film are extreme cases. His character emphasizes to enjoy life and not worry about the risks involved in any actions, in some ways this does carry important messages though ironically I believe this is because Brad Pit’s character is only an imagination therefore can never lose anything and wouldn’t ever be afraid of anything.

Ethnographic model

Using the ethnographic model (try and separate it into the three areas highlighted) evaluate your own text. Have you inadvertently prevented certain 'audiences' from accessing your text?

My media has prevented various audiences concerned by 'stress one and three'. This is that due to the domestic enviroment that structures the media as currently it is not possible for every household to have access to the internet because of financial issues. This rules out those in society who are labeled as information-poor, these people may not be exposed to the media ......