Post #4 - May 2, 2007

Q: Can you think of any examples in our day and age in which real life influences theater (or film or music or music video) and in turn these representations influence society?

There are several examples in our day and age in which real life can influence the arts (i.e. music, theater etc.) and in turn such representations can influence society.

Perhaps the most modern examples of this idea are music videos. Many of the music videos that dominate MTV aren’t particularly original as they all follow the mantra that “Sex sells.” Such videos include varying degrees of dirty dancing, (in certain cases) misogyny, revealing outfits, etc. But all in all such features holistically present an idealized version of what a woman should be and do. Ironically we even see that female singers play up this image by designing elaborate videos with sensual dance scenes and revealing costumes. But these “sexed up” images clearly did not come out of the blue; instead it is most likely society’s personal fantasies and desires of how women should act that resulted in the manifestation of such images in music videos. Earlier we saw that kabuki gradually changed with the times; audiences wanted to see more passion and class conflicts because these were limited by these in every day life. Restraints such as being unable to marry outside of your own class fed the need to see it played out in kabuki. Likewise with regard to music videos, though our society is free in many aspects, the type of sexuality seen in music videos is usually not seen on a daily basis. But with such images dominating our airwaves, it has in turn led many people, particularly women, to think that they should fulfill such fantasies by either attiring similarly or having bodies as voluptuous or slender as those seen on television. I remember in middle school, most girls my age were dressed in the latest Disney characters; now when I walk past my old middle school to pick up my younger brother, I’m surprised to see such young girls dressed in a manner that far more mature and sensual than is appropriate.

From a more cultural point of view, I’ve also seen how Bollywood movies tend to mirror the desires that South Asians are not allowed to demonstrate in public. In general, public displays of affection such as hugging and kissing are considered taboo in South Asia. Furthermore, marriages are typically arranged; in some cases, brides and grooms actually meet for the first time on their wedding day. In complete contrast, Bollywood movies are focused solely about love. Such movies consistently espouse ideas of finding one’s soul mate and having the right to marry one another regardless of class. Like in kabuki, society is influencing and dictating theater or some other art form. In return, such films have invariably influenced opinions on marriage and love. For example, many Indians are bucking the trend of arranged marriage and instead going to clubs and other social events in the hope of meeting their future spouse. Marriages have increasingly become “love-matches” and Bollywood films have certainly helped in this.