Conference Proceedings 2010 [pdf] - Art & Design Symposium ...

Hurt (2006) in his documentary interviewed aspiring rappers, successful rappers, university professors and
cultural critics. Through the interviews Hurt (2006) concluded that society has become desensitized to the
sexism, misogyny and the sexual objectification of women in hip-hop culture. In one interview Jadakiss said
that people must like it since they are buying it and he noted that the women are not being forced to be in
these videos. Also, he alluded to the corporations by saying that at the end of the day the corporations are the
ones who promote the types of music with these components. In another interview Chuck D (Hurt, 2006) stated
that, “BET is the cancer of black manhood in the world because they have one-dimensionalized us and
commodified us into being a one-trick image”.
Jhally (Hurt, 2006) proceeds to explain this by saying that objectified images of the female body are
everywhere (in advertising, in movies, television programs) and that “the really negative thing about music
videos and advertising is that this is the only way in which women are presented, so the only way in which men
are allowed to make a connection in the popular culture with women is through sexuality, and it’s only through
their desires”.
These sentiments raise many questions for educators, particularly art educators who have the ability to use the
visual to change the negativity that sometimes pervades music videos.
Findings
Upon review of the pre-surveys, critique responses, focus group discussions and final surveys there were three
major findings.
1. Most participants are not critically analyzing the visual culture of music videos. They appear to be
socialized into acting out what they have viewed in their communities.
2. The students are influenced by their favorite music artists’ style of dress and the behavior of their
favorite artists.
3. If given a chance to create their own music videos, most students agreed that they would use the
same elements that they see in their favorite music videos.
The evidence shows that it is important for educators, particularly art educators to develop and implement
ways for adolescents to gain experience in critically analyzing their environment, which in their words includes
the visual culture that pervades popular music videos. Therefore, art educators have to be instrumental in
assisting adolescents in assessing their social environments. Duncum (2006) argued for this by stating that
visual culture art education has a social purpose, which is to develop critical thinkers and doers who can make
responsible decisions and choices in society.
References
Anderson, T. & Milbrandt, M. (2005) Art for life: authentic instruction in art.
Duncum, P. (2006). Visual culture in the art class: case studies. National Art Education Association. Reston:
VA.
Hurt, B. (2006). Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes. (DVD). United States: The Media Education Foundation
and God Bless The Child Productions.
Kinder, M. (1984). Music video and the spectator: Television, ideology and dream. Film Quarterly, 38, (1), 2-15.
Vernallis, C. (1998). The aesthetics of music video: An analysis of Madonna’s cherish. Popular Music, 17 (2),
153-185.
Viacom (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2008 from: http://www.viacom.com/aboutviacom/Pages/default.aspx
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