Fashion is definitely not something I know much about, so that Vogue magazine trailer intrigued and horrified me. Imagine being one of her assistants! She looks frightening.
I remember when I first watched Paris is Burning... such a fascinating view into a hidden world. It's interesting to hear what folks in this community say about how their culture has been appropriated. I pay very close attention to issues of appropriation in art and I'm sceptical about slamming Madonna for her pop song. It feels to me like a tribute rather than appropriation or exploitation. Artists borrow, pick up, adapt cultural references all around them. That process and conversation is one of the things that makes art interesting, IMO.
How do you manage to pack so much entertaining and important information into an article of this length?
On cultural appropriation, I think that the solution is possibly simple although seemingly impossible. I think it has its roots in exploitation, so Madonna's "Vogue" is open to being interpreted as either theft, or as showcasing interesting parts of culture that might benefit from the publicity in many ways. Its practitioners may, as a result of her presenting it to a wider audience, have been given other opportunities as a result. Obviously I have no idea, just speculating. I suspect that if we had a more equal society the concept of cultural appropriation might be less contentious. It becomes a problem when the rich, who already have too much, are seen to be swooping in and stealing - again - from those less well-off. I keep coming back to the fact that we are fighting the wrong battles, but I can absolutely understand a cry of "you've taken everything else, you're not having this as well!"
I watched that film last year. Very interesting, entertaining and thought-provoking.
It's interesting how the whole disco and dancing culture of the late 70s and 80s that punks labelled as commercial muzak was actually born to provide gays and blacks (and black gays) an outlet to express their values, hopes and ideas.
I agree with the other commenters here that this piece is chock full of delicious research and rich summaries and reflections! What a pleasure to read, and I’m glad you introduced me to Paris is Burnt and to the analyses around that, specifically. I haven’t seen it PIB in years, but I remember it being presented as a queer “must watch,” but without the deeper conversations around the complexities you brought up here. Great work on this one!
This post is so rich! Where to start?
Fashion is definitely not something I know much about, so that Vogue magazine trailer intrigued and horrified me. Imagine being one of her assistants! She looks frightening.
I remember when I first watched Paris is Burning... such a fascinating view into a hidden world. It's interesting to hear what folks in this community say about how their culture has been appropriated. I pay very close attention to issues of appropriation in art and I'm sceptical about slamming Madonna for her pop song. It feels to me like a tribute rather than appropriation or exploitation. Artists borrow, pick up, adapt cultural references all around them. That process and conversation is one of the things that makes art interesting, IMO.
How do you manage to pack so much entertaining and important information into an article of this length?
On cultural appropriation, I think that the solution is possibly simple although seemingly impossible. I think it has its roots in exploitation, so Madonna's "Vogue" is open to being interpreted as either theft, or as showcasing interesting parts of culture that might benefit from the publicity in many ways. Its practitioners may, as a result of her presenting it to a wider audience, have been given other opportunities as a result. Obviously I have no idea, just speculating. I suspect that if we had a more equal society the concept of cultural appropriation might be less contentious. It becomes a problem when the rich, who already have too much, are seen to be swooping in and stealing - again - from those less well-off. I keep coming back to the fact that we are fighting the wrong battles, but I can absolutely understand a cry of "you've taken everything else, you're not having this as well!"
I watched that film last year. Very interesting, entertaining and thought-provoking.
It's interesting how the whole disco and dancing culture of the late 70s and 80s that punks labelled as commercial muzak was actually born to provide gays and blacks (and black gays) an outlet to express their values, hopes and ideas.
I agree with the other commenters here that this piece is chock full of delicious research and rich summaries and reflections! What a pleasure to read, and I’m glad you introduced me to Paris is Burnt and to the analyses around that, specifically. I haven’t seen it PIB in years, but I remember it being presented as a queer “must watch,” but without the deeper conversations around the complexities you brought up here. Great work on this one!
Great commentary on a great film! 👍