Representation
Representation consists of many parts such as gender, age, Regional identity, class, etc.
"In a World ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure which is styled accordingly". (Laura Mulvey, 1992)
In other words what she is trying to illustrate is the fact that music videos are the pinnacle of female exploitation and sexual objectification in the process of representing women as inferior to the superior active males. Use of camera work such as low angle shots potray this stereotypical image and some artist specifically specialize in determining the male gaze even some female artists do this.
Particular Genres that portray this image and promote this way of thinking and representing is R&B and even evidence has been found in pop. Usually female dancers are dressed provocatively and are made to look appealing for the male gaze.
Mulvey's theory of representation is very much active in society today if anything it is much more evident as in videos of artists such as madonna, Lady Gaga and even Beyonce.
The image of an artist in a music video will have been carefully planned, from the choice of clothes and the style of hair to the situation or narrative that the artist is placed within.
Example of Music Videos that illustrates Laura Mulveys theory and my understanding of the theory.
Lady Gaga ft Beyonce - Telephone
This particular video illustrates Laura Mulveys theory as the mise en scene of the video constantly pictures sexual scenes of nature that portraits females as sexual objects
Beyonce - Run the world
Again beyonces Music video plays on the idea of women being inferior as they are pictured fighting men, the appealing clothes and low angle shots make it look as if they are merely performing for the male gaze.
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