Q. Explain how certain types of media can be defined as postmodern.
Postmodernism is a style used nowadays that incorporates previous iconic views and samples and is replicating and reinterpreting modernism in different ways.
An artist which I have studies that could be described as postmodern is Jay Z . I feel he could be regarded as postmodern in many ways. Postmodernism can be seen in many things as it is just re-iterating art and recognition such as Jay Z's real nickname "Jazzy"given to him from where he grew up in Brooklyn, New York. It was then adapted to Jay-Z and eventually the hyphen was dropped in 2013 because Jay Z preferred his stage name without it. His name also pays homage to an older rapper Jay-O. In present times Jay Z pays homage to many artists. He is returning an old, overlooked style of work to the big stage by interpreting their work. For example in the song "Niggas in Paris" Jay Z used a clip/sound from "Reverend W.A. Donaldson - Baptizing scene" 1959. This is the screaming and talking "how you'll feeling" speech that can be heard at the start of the song. Jay Z used this country/folk song in a completely different way to which it was intended and created an intro for his rap/hip hop genre of music. Jay Z also can be described as postmodern for other reasons. Jay Z pays homage to to artists in a more informal way. During the 2012 BET awards Jay Z interrupts Kanye West during his speech just like Kanye did to Taylor Swift 3 years previous. This shows postmodernism as Jay Z is replicating a moment from the past to achieve humour.
The film "Her" directed and written by Spike Jonze could be described as postmodern in many ways. In the film Her the characters seem to live in a hyper-real universe. It is hard to tell whether it is just meant to just be in the future or whether it could even be seen to be a parallel universe. It is filmed in Los Angeles, California but the characters styles differ to what you would expect the 'norm' to wear in Los Angeles. There is a consistancy to the hyper-real world with all male characters seemingly wearing high waisted trousers and very colourful 60s/70s type shirts. However it didn't fully follow the 60s/70s theme as no flares or big collars were seen throughout the film. This mixture of genre and elements could be seen as postmodern as Spike is paying homage to a specific era and re-inventing it for a new purpose in the film. Another thing that catches the audiences attention that adds to the hyper-real world is that lots of people are walking in Los Angeles. This isn't the stereotypical thought of LA as in most films it is very dense with traffic. Adding to this and the style, a lot of the men can be seen to have mustaches. This isn't an in fashion in the present times. These mixture of elements co-existing in the hyper-real wold that Spike has created could be seen as postmodern as they are paying homage to older styles and recreating a world for a fictional purpose. Another thing that could be seen as a postmodern element is that Theadore develops an intimate relationship with his OS (operating system). It seems this technology is a futuristic version of today's Apple products. This could be seen to be postmodern as it is recreating scenario's in the future using similar existing products. The use of a mixture of genres and music types could be regarded as postmodern as there is a 60s soul song "sure of love" that seems to coincide with the 60s type fashion theme. This is re-creating a time period in a futuristic hyper-real world.
Overall I feel there have been several elements that could be described as postmodern.Such as the manipulation of conventions and styles that can be seen in 'Her' and the intertextuality in which Jay Z can be described to be paying homage to other texts/artists.This combination of influences create such an effect that can be described as postmodern media.
The film "Her" directed and written by Spike Jonze could be described as postmodern in many ways. In the film Her the characters seem to live in a hyper-real universe. It is hard to tell whether it is just meant to just be in the future or whether it could even be seen to be a parallel universe. It is filmed in Los Angeles, California but the characters styles differ to what you would expect the 'norm' to wear in Los Angeles. There is a consistancy to the hyper-real world with all male characters seemingly wearing high waisted trousers and very colourful 60s/70s type shirts. However it didn't fully follow the 60s/70s theme as no flares or big collars were seen throughout the film. This mixture of genre and elements could be seen as postmodern as Spike is paying homage to a specific era and re-inventing it for a new purpose in the film. Another thing that catches the audiences attention that adds to the hyper-real world is that lots of people are walking in Los Angeles. This isn't the stereotypical thought of LA as in most films it is very dense with traffic. Adding to this and the style, a lot of the men can be seen to have mustaches. This isn't an in fashion in the present times. These mixture of elements co-existing in the hyper-real wold that Spike has created could be seen as postmodern as they are paying homage to older styles and recreating a world for a fictional purpose. Another thing that could be seen as a postmodern element is that Theadore develops an intimate relationship with his OS (operating system). It seems this technology is a futuristic version of today's Apple products. This could be seen to be postmodern as it is recreating scenario's in the future using similar existing products. The use of a mixture of genres and music types could be regarded as postmodern as there is a 60s soul song "sure of love" that seems to coincide with the 60s type fashion theme. This is re-creating a time period in a futuristic hyper-real world.
Overall I feel there have been several elements that could be described as postmodern.Such as the manipulation of conventions and styles that can be seen in 'Her' and the intertextuality in which Jay Z can be described to be paying homage to other texts/artists.This combination of influences create such an effect that can be described as postmodern media.
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