This week in class, we've talked about how pop culture is all inter-connected. Movies represent what is happening in the world in the time period that they are set in; music reflects the trends of the day. Even fiction books portray society.
Music has often been used as a tool for change. During the Civil Rights movement in the United States, music helped to relay messages to the public-at-large. Songs were used to bring people together and lift spirits when things got tough. Similarly, during the Vietnam War protests, mainstream music brought the message of anti-war sentiments and calls to peace throughout the world.
On a less intense level, artists often use their platform to tell the listener what is popular or trend-setting. Sometimes it's scandalous - like in the song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" that was written when it still wasn't very common to wear a bikini. Madonna has listeners "strike a pose" in "Vogue" - a song about a new, underground dance move that mimics super-model and celebrity posing. It also references the famous fashion magazine of the same name. Kanye West drops every name in the fashion industry in his song "Christian Dior Denim Flow."
(Sorry, you'll have to find the Kanye West song on your own).
Assignment:
1. Watch the music videos. Answer the following questions:
++ How do you think Itsy Bitsy might have impacted the swim-wear culture of its time period?
++ Madonna was very controversial in her time. What do you think, according to this video, made her so controversial?
2. Find two more examples in popular culture - songs, tv, movies - where fashion takes center stage.
Publish your two examples in the comment section below. (Please don't just copy your classmates answers! The idea is to find a variety of examples that we can discuss as a class)
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