Week 3

WHAT IS CULTURE?

   - the process of a societies intellectual spiritual and aesthetic development.

   - The particular way of life of the people
   - The works and practices of intellectual and artistic activity.

HIGH
         => philosophy, intellectual pursuits, art, etc.
LOW
        => everyday consumption of goods and services, popular activities, entertainment, sports, etc.
 BOTH change with geographically specific cultures.


For example: BARBIE IN NIGERA
- not interpreted the same way
- just a doll, not an role model (like in Western cultures)
- maybe struggle because of the colour, not like them without dark skin (reason they won't relate?)


BARBIE AND BRATZ

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/suitable-doll-models/2007/03/31/1174761817973.html

Barbie IN TIME history reflects the fashion of the time.

Barbie from the 60's 

     - typical 'sexy female' characteristics (according to culture)

     - long, blonde hair

     - pouty lips

     - large blue eyes

     - extreme proportions (breast and waist measurements)

     - very, very long legs

Bratz is an exaggerated version of Barbie.
Barbie and Bratz is a modern day 'Venus of Willendorf', the culture determined what was 'ideal' and what women saw as a role model.

http://arthistoryresources.net/willendorf/

Denotation:
 - blue eyes, blonde hair, pouty lips, large eyes
Connotation:
 - reminiscent of BABIES 
 - not creepy way just in a way that they are submissive, innocent, compliant, manipulable, sweet, unquestionably in love, etc.

http://www.thegreenstork.com/

Men go crazy because of the sexual image given in such dolls that young women strive for. Women are shaped by the media to be like the dolls and role model in the lime light, this gives them power over men because they are sexually driven. Sexuality is primitive and cannot be ignored on the most part. Although women have gained many rights in society this sexual imbalance continuous to trump cultures, the media is constantly perpetuates an old paradigm. 




CULTURE:
     - the process of societies intellectuals, spiritual and aesthetic development. For example, philosophers, poets, etc.
     - particular was of life of a people period or group. For example, the development of literacy, the types of sports played, etc. 
     - works and practices of intellectual and artistic activity novels, ballet, opera, fine art, etc.


POPULAR CULTURE:
     - phenomenan evolving out of the consumerist and emerging youth culture of the 50's and 60's
     - it's products are accessible and mass produced
     - work deliberately setting out to in favour with the masses on specific communities
     - culture produced by industry and consumed and popularised by word of mouth and the media


CRITICISMS OF POPULAR CULTURE:
     Theodore Adorno of 'The Frankfurt School', described consumers of such culture victims. Political implications are:
                        - that this process maintains public passivity towards institutions. In this way, visual communication is an agent of ideology.