masculine actions. Britney is kicking chairs, and dancing around them in a provocative manner, speeding down roads in sporty cars and making more rash and sudden movements. Not only this, but it shows her having tattoos and wearing more ragged clothing. All she wears in this music video is black, which is a sexy color that also shows a strength and a toughness compared to the pastel colored clothing she wore in "Hit Me Baby One More Time. "These are characteristics and actions that are often associated with men and are qualities that clearly are much different from her innocent appeal in her earlier music videos. Aaron Devor can attest that men are typically concerned with achieving egotistical dominance, in a similar manner that Britney does in this music video. A sense of self-reliance, confidence and toughness are definitely present in the music video and Devor mentions that this exudes masculinity. By doing so, she redefines her earlier images of what it means to be sexy. This video suggests that strength, confidence and boldness are sexy traits. Aaron Devor would explain the rational reasoning for this to be that men find girls who show these qualities appealing because they see characteristics that they possess themselves. Hence, these masculine qualities would make a girl “more desirable” and harder to get. According to Devor men have a competitive nature, so of course they would find a girl who’s a chase, sexy.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cultural Myth
The "Stronger" video by Britney Spears demonstrates agressive sexuality through her stereotypically
masculine actions. Britney is kicking chairs, and dancing around them in a provocative manner, speeding down roads in sporty cars and making more rash and sudden movements. Not only this, but it shows her having tattoos and wearing more ragged clothing. All she wears in this music video is black, which is a sexy color that also shows a strength and a toughness compared to the pastel colored clothing she wore in "Hit Me Baby One More Time. "These are characteristics and actions that are often associated with men and are qualities that clearly are much different from her innocent appeal in her earlier music videos. Aaron Devor can attest that men are typically concerned with achieving egotistical dominance, in a similar manner that Britney does in this music video. A sense of self-reliance, confidence and toughness are definitely present in the music video and Devor mentions that this exudes masculinity. By doing so, she redefines her earlier images of what it means to be sexy. This video suggests that strength, confidence and boldness are sexy traits. Aaron Devor would explain the rational reasoning for this to be that men find girls who show these qualities appealing because they see characteristics that they possess themselves. Hence, these masculine qualities would make a girl “more desirable” and harder to get. According to Devor men have a competitive nature, so of course they would find a girl who’s a chase, sexy.
masculine actions. Britney is kicking chairs, and dancing around them in a provocative manner, speeding down roads in sporty cars and making more rash and sudden movements. Not only this, but it shows her having tattoos and wearing more ragged clothing. All she wears in this music video is black, which is a sexy color that also shows a strength and a toughness compared to the pastel colored clothing she wore in "Hit Me Baby One More Time. "These are characteristics and actions that are often associated with men and are qualities that clearly are much different from her innocent appeal in her earlier music videos. Aaron Devor can attest that men are typically concerned with achieving egotistical dominance, in a similar manner that Britney does in this music video. A sense of self-reliance, confidence and toughness are definitely present in the music video and Devor mentions that this exudes masculinity. By doing so, she redefines her earlier images of what it means to be sexy. This video suggests that strength, confidence and boldness are sexy traits. Aaron Devor would explain the rational reasoning for this to be that men find girls who show these qualities appealing because they see characteristics that they possess themselves. Hence, these masculine qualities would make a girl “more desirable” and harder to get. According to Devor men have a competitive nature, so of course they would find a girl who’s a chase, sexy.
Friday, March 18, 2011
My Views on Barbie, G.I. Joe and Play in the 1960's by Gary Cross
I thought this article was an interesting read. I never really thought about how the idea of the "ideal woman or man" came about and after reading this article, I can understand how toys such as Barbie and G. I Joe could have created the mold.
I found it interesting to read how early on in American culture that these toys arrived on the market. Barbie entered the market in the late 50s. This means she has been the image of beauty for young girls for over 50 years. Although her attire, jobs, accessories and friends change with fashion, politics and culture, her features have remained the same. The Original Barbie has continued to be blue eyed and blonde, with long slender legs, and an exaggerated hour glass figure. This tells young girls that this is what it means to be beautiful. Although fashion changes, Barbie is supposedly defines the emblem of the classic American beauty that every girl should aspire to be like.
Barbie has most likely played a major role in contributing to girl's body issues and self esteem problems. http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/07/29/doll-parts-the-barbie-executioner-strikes-back/
Barbie made growing up seem like a glamorous ordeal where girls get curves in all the right places and received attention for their looks. One can also say that Barbie associates her good looks with luxorious lifestyles and professional success. When girls grow up, they quickly realize that this is not the norm and that Barbie lives a lifestyle that is ahead of her time and unattainable. This seems like a paradox because Barbies are something that almost every child could afford. Every young girl has a doll. Every girl has a Barbie, but yet she represents something that very few people can attain. Its almost unfair that girls were given these unrealistic images in the 60s and 70s, images and ideals were rooted in their heads, but yet these ideas were way to ahead of their time. When women in the 60s were mainly housewives and cashiers, Barbie was a stewardess, model or a doctor. She went against everything that was expected of women during that time period. She did not resemble the young girls and she did not resemble the life of these young girls' mothers. So where does the image fit in? It made girls desire a lifestlye that wasn't available.
She also embodied a sense of materialism, and associated that need to be consuming with being an adult. She always has the latest accessories and clothing. Growing up does come with more freedoms but Barbie doesn't represent all of the new responsibilities that come along with it, especially financially. Just because adults have credit cards doesn't mean they are spending frivolously. Barbie makes it seem like all young girls should spend money like they are celebrities.
It was interesting reading about G.I Joe and how differently he represented his gender in comparison to Barbie. G.I Joe was more about embracing the lifestyle of boys' fathers. G.I. Joe was less about outfits and attire and more about the story line behind him and the fact that he was an action figure. G.I. Joe was all about being on a team and not about promoting himself to the highest level like Barbie. One can view Barbie as a competitive figure, who is constantly was being updated and G.I. Joe stuck to traditional values.
I found it interesting to read how early on in American culture that these toys arrived on the market. Barbie entered the market in the late 50s. This means she has been the image of beauty for young girls for over 50 years. Although her attire, jobs, accessories and friends change with fashion, politics and culture, her features have remained the same. The Original Barbie has continued to be blue eyed and blonde, with long slender legs, and an exaggerated hour glass figure. This tells young girls that this is what it means to be beautiful. Although fashion changes, Barbie is supposedly defines the emblem of the classic American beauty that every girl should aspire to be like.
Barbie has most likely played a major role in contributing to girl's body issues and self esteem problems. http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/07/29/doll-parts-the-barbie-executioner-strikes-back/
Barbie made growing up seem like a glamorous ordeal where girls get curves in all the right places and received attention for their looks. One can also say that Barbie associates her good looks with luxorious lifestyles and professional success. When girls grow up, they quickly realize that this is not the norm and that Barbie lives a lifestyle that is ahead of her time and unattainable. This seems like a paradox because Barbies are something that almost every child could afford. Every young girl has a doll. Every girl has a Barbie, but yet she represents something that very few people can attain. Its almost unfair that girls were given these unrealistic images in the 60s and 70s, images and ideals were rooted in their heads, but yet these ideas were way to ahead of their time. When women in the 60s were mainly housewives and cashiers, Barbie was a stewardess, model or a doctor. She went against everything that was expected of women during that time period. She did not resemble the young girls and she did not resemble the life of these young girls' mothers. So where does the image fit in? It made girls desire a lifestlye that wasn't available.
She also embodied a sense of materialism, and associated that need to be consuming with being an adult. She always has the latest accessories and clothing. Growing up does come with more freedoms but Barbie doesn't represent all of the new responsibilities that come along with it, especially financially. Just because adults have credit cards doesn't mean they are spending frivolously. Barbie makes it seem like all young girls should spend money like they are celebrities.
It was interesting reading about G.I Joe and how differently he represented his gender in comparison to Barbie. G.I Joe was more about embracing the lifestyle of boys' fathers. G.I. Joe was less about outfits and attire and more about the story line behind him and the fact that he was an action figure. G.I. Joe was all about being on a team and not about promoting himself to the highest level like Barbie. One can view Barbie as a competitive figure, who is constantly was being updated and G.I. Joe stuck to traditional values.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Analyzing Advertising
This Advertisement for the fragrance "My Glow" by Jennifer Lopez differs greatly from her other advertisements and evokes a much different feeling from the viewer, therefore it is targeting a more mature demographic.
In this ad, JLO gives the illusion of a mother in love with her life and her child. She represents the American dream with the image of the picture perfect family. However, at the same time its very interesting that the ad includes a mother and a child but no father figure. One could interpret this scene as a precious moment shared by a mother and her child in which the father happened to not be present, or that there is no father/husband in their lives. If there is no father, then Jennifer Lopez represents a strong independent female in this photo, who finds her own happiness. If there is (and judging by her carefree, at ease smile, there is) she is seen as a stereotypical wealthy housewife.
This ad definitely is trying to create a wealthy ambiance that's down played, for she is wearing diamond earrings with a down to earth wool sweater. Just by what she's wearing, one could even assume she had a lovely night out with her husband somewhere nice the night before, but couldn't wait to see their son first thing the next morning. This is the glamorous life, that many people reading magazines that an ad like this would be in, desire. Another purpose of this attire is to achieve a wealthy glamorous appeal that is likeable and somewhat relateable to it's viewers at the same time. The key to making it relatable to readers is to not make the ad flashy because mothers at home often arent able to spend a lot of time on their looks when they are focusing on others. This is exemplified by Jennifer's natural makeup and messy hair. It creates the image that she just got out of bed but still has this beauty and radiant glow. This is the natural beauty and glow that readers desire, for many grown women don't want to be very made up, but prefer a natural look. This is definitely a different path for Jennifer, for she is known for her statement clothing, furs, body hugging clothes, and overall diva image.
Even the lighting in this ad, creates a regal and enchanting feel. The yellow lighting gives the illusion of a sunny day and makes the picture in the ad seem like a close to the heart memory that is treasured. Unlike many busy ads, this one has a very calming simplicity and color scheme that puts the viewer to ease. This tranquility appeals to adult women who have chaotic lives whether they have children or not. The goal is to insinuate that the person wearing the perfume will live the same kind of experience Jennifer Lopez is having, one that is care free and shared with the one she loves. Even the font of " My GLow by Jennifer Lopez" is very simple yet sophisticated. The boldness of MY GLOW, subtly jumps out at viewers and then her well recognized signature is trusted by anyone who knows fashion.
Its interesting the cross-racial appeal she brings to the ad for we all know she is Latino, who stereotypically is the working class, and here she resembles the stereotypical upperclass caucasian living in the Hamptons or Beverly Hills; a life of fancy dresses, social charity events and the finest wine. This could be a way for her to represent minorities moving up in society and working their way up the social ladder. This ad is also Jennifer Lopez's way of continuing to create a classy, wholesome image for herself now that she has children and is post her "Jenny from the Block" days. Its apparent that she is no longer trying to attract the average teenage girl walking through Macys in the mall, but now people of her own age and demographic. This ad appeals to many races because Jennifer has a following from many different social groups from her music that range from working class to high rollers and every race. Now with this classy, luxurious feel it's apparent she's channeled her image to attract upperclass adults, people who have the money to buy the products she is targeting at middle to upperclass clientele.
As an overall analysis of this ad, in order to attract a more mature demographic with more money to spend, Jennifer Lopez kicks up the level of sophistication in her image for her product MY GLOW. Although it doesn't say the price of this new fragrance, she could very easily make it more expensive than her other fragrances. She is able to personalize this fragrance for the upperclass woman with children, by creating a down to earth elegance that displays understated wealth. She uses simplicity, color schemes, and font to achieve this.
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