Postmodernism and the Marina Douche Bag

Postmodernism and the Marina Douche Bag
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lFxKXtz3yE)



Change is an inevitable factor that plays into the maturity of our society. As generations evolve so do trends, cultural norms, and ethics. Various factors lead to change but in this current time period the most obvious influencer of change is the development of technology. The development of technology has exposed people to an exponentially larger volume of imagery and has made unedited and uncensored literature widely available. This has opened doors to the unknown and has expanded our imagination in ways not possible before. This movement/change of times is called postmodernism. Postmodernism has liberalized our society and has made humor an integral part of socialization.
The internet and the affordability of computers, and cameras have made the outbreak of image and idea sharing an epidemic. Upon the introduction of the camera a photographer would take a photo and develop it in a dark room. Then, based upon the context of the photo it would be shared appropriately. The setting in which the photograph would be presented would reflect the impact and importance that the photo carried. This idea was presented and thoroughly evaluated by John Berger in his book, “Ways of Seeing”. Today, the meaning in photography is not always conveyed in ways originally intended. With the internet at everyone’s fingertips an image can be viewed at any time, in any setting. There is no gallery to set a mood or create a desired ambiance, there is no control over the music that is undeniably affecting the viewer, but most importantly there is no censor on who is able to view the images. An image that may only be understood and appreciated by a few people now has the ability to travel into the living room of an ignorant viewer and be misinterpreted and underappreciated because it has been taken out of context. While this seems to be a negative effect of technology and must be taken into account when posting images on the internet, it can also be used positively.
As society develops, and gains distance from what once was, it is important to embrace what has changed. While a photographer may not be able to maintain their original intent they now have the opportunity leave that up to the viewer. It is the viewer who looks at an image, decides what it means, determines what is important, and then begins to blog about what he or she has seen. Because the viewer may have no training in art but has the power to write a “published” review it is important to understand their influence. No longer does a curator or a art historian determine the value art, now everyone has that power. Art is more subjective today, and therefore the judgment of art has been liberalized. Anyone can comment and make their voice heard, that must be respected. While it is important to support the backbone of what makes art “good” it is also important to understand technology and its role in art.
This open interpretation of art and easy access to cameras has opened the door for anyone to be creative. For example, normally an actor would act in a theatre, or on a set. Now anyone can “act”, record it on video, and post it on technologies latest addiction, YouTube. YouTube is the online watering hole that everyone gathers around in order to stay virtually connected. This website embraces the hyperreal and blurs the edges between what may be real and what is simply entertainment. Today, the difference between real life and reality entertainment is irrelevant because it is all entertainment. Postmodernism has opened the idea of living within a movie set.
The ease of being recorded or photographed and published through social networking websites (i.e. YouTube) has raised consciousness of the ways in which others will perceive us. In fact, if a photograph is snapped at a bar for example, it is not unusual to hear, “Profile pic!”. Sharing media is on the forefront of everyone’s mind. It is also important to understand that “acting” within the set of life is not a choice, it is turning into a cultural standard. A photo or video may be taken and published without the knowledge of the subject. Then, through hypertextual formatting the published images or movies can be accessed through a variety of websites via hyperlinks. This concept is what creates viral videos. Because of the constant possibility of being published, consciousness of perception is imperative.
For many people the possibility of being seen on YouTube and gaining notoriety for their role in a given video is a clear path to stardom. So, if the performance is interesting enough the video may become viral, hence a viral video. As a result of our easy access to imagery, videography, and general information entertainment has morphed to reflect this image overload. Entertainment entails humor though appropriation. This is the cutting and pasting of entertainment created by other people, then rearranged and regurgitated by someone else.
A vivid example of your average Joe embracing postmodernism, and using appropriation, and humor to create entertainment is a 29-year-old University of California college graduate being videotaped in a dark bar located in the Marina of San Francisco. In this five-minute video the subject and the interviewer both create humor through postmodern tactics.
The video opens with the subject singing his college chant. One truth in postmodernism is that it collapses the real with the fake. Based upon this opening the viewer will most likely be inclined to believe that the subject, Stefan is a college student. Ironically, he graduated from college six years prior. Because we are immersed in a postmodern society, the truth of the matter is irrelevant. Throughout the remainder of the clip thoughts and themes are appropriated in a nonsensical fashion to create unique entertainment.
The videographer introduces the next theme: she asks him, “What is your best pick-up line? The viewer now sees the subject scrolling through his rolodex of pick-up lines to find the most shocking line in his memory bank. He replies, “Ladies, I’m single and have absolutely no standards”. This reply is a reflection of postmodernism because it takes all the guesswork out of any subliminal messaging within the pick-up line. This surface response has no profound meaning, and is precisely an invitation for any lady listening.
A major theme throughout the video is Stefan’s knowledge and appreciation of 80’s rock bands. As a display of his dedication to rock music he introduces the subject with a joke, “ What has seven arms and rocks? … Def Leopard!” This references his knowledge of drummer Rick Allen losing his left arm in a 1984 traffic accident. Throughout the next four and a half minutes his music appreciation is portrayed through the memorization of the lines of almost each rock song that comes on the jukebox.
In postmodernism, more important than a deep understanding of a subject is the constant reference to that subject. Simply being aware of a car accident that left a band member slightly disabled is not a demonstration of extension knowledge. Inserting a fact into a joke is a postmodern solution; conversely, understanding the depths of the accident and formulating that information into a logical conversation would be a modernist solution. Additionally, Stefan uses his familiarity with these songs as conversation fillers after the joke has expired. He sings and pumps his fists when the conversation is entering a lull. In a society where there is no room for silence or voids in time it is important to keep the stimulus level heightened.
One minute into the clip Stefan reverts back to his previous reference to college. This time, he emphasizes the irony of his situation by stating that he loves college. Knowing that stranger things are possible, he embraces his past and brings it into the present. The irony lies not only in the real time that has elapsed since graduation, but also in his demeanor. He still acts the same way he did when he was twenty-one. This example of irony illustrates how comedy has developed due to postmodernism.
Continuing along the theme of the college days Stefan sees a girl shaking her head and tossing her hair. Excitedly, he yells, “Sorority-hair-girl shake, sorority-hair-girl shake!” This comment uses pastiche to create humor. He is taking an observation from the past and pasting it into a present context. He follows up this comment by making another reference, this time to a viral video on YouTube called, My New Haircut. He begins yelling, “Jager Bombs, Jager Bombs” but not with the intent of actually ordering the drink, solely to reference the creative humor of someone else and to accept laughter as a compliment directed to him.
As the video progresses, his employment situation arises. Again, he uses pastiche and references a topic much more serious than the current tone of the conversation. He says that he works in commercial real estate, and “We’re doing well, obvi.”. This statement serves two purposes, first to establish that he has a more professional side and second to reconnect himself to his audience by using the word, obvi (Obvi is an abbreviation/slang for obviously). He continues to build his reputation by pointing out that he is tennis player, and that he is Jewish. Then, he quickly returns to quoting other people’s successes. He makes a reference to the Karate Kid with the quote, “Hey Larusso, sweep the leg… But Sensei, But Sensei… Put him in a body bag, Johnny…”. In postmodernism, pastiche is important in communicating humor and building credibility because it confirms that one is well versed in pop culture.
Next, a sudden burst of excitement is directed toward the televisions on the wall. Interestingly, this excitement is attributed to a sports game in which he has not even been watching. But, being part of this society entails an acute reception of overwhelming stimuli that bombards everyday life. This bar has at least seven televisions in the front of the bar, each playing a different sporting event. Additionally, one television is broadcasting the highlights all of the games. So, not only are six games playing at the same time, but the highlights of numerous other games are available as well. In theory, an entire week of sports can be reviewed while drinking and socializing with a group of peers. This bar is a classic example of media’s persistent influence in today’s society.
Next in the series of charades, he reverts back to the theme of quoting movies, this time Top Gun. In an effort to bring more life to the quote and to create a stronger connection with the movie he puts on a pair of Navigator sunglasses and says, “That’s how he flies, ice cold”. Not only has he developed a stronger connection to the movie, but he has also used appropriation to make the reference more humorous.
It is interesting to see the interviewer interact with the subject, because she too can be deconstructed as a product of a postmodern society. A number of times throughout the clip Stefan has created an indirect reference to his superiority by stating, “You cannot fake awesome!” So, when the interviewer finds an opportunity to passive aggressively take a jab at him, she repeats his line back to him in sarcastic tone. While this creates a moment of humor directed toward Stefan, there is also humor in the irony of her statement. As she says, “You cannot fake awesome” she points at herself, the camera pans out, and the frame is cropped directly below her breasts. The irony lies in her mockery of his “awesomeness”, as she appears not to be completely real herself. Her breasts look as if they are implants. If they are, she is an example of how hyperreality is used to heighten self-image.
As humor plays a very large part in this theatrical event, the subject introduces the next act with a joke. This joke is slightly different in strategy because he uses a canned joke and turns it into a personal account. The joke is as follows, “I had a good friend in college who was hooking up with this chick and he asked her if she was on the pill. She was like, yea. The next morning, she was like yea, the ecstasy pill… He has a kid now.” This joke blurs the line between real and fake in order to create a humorous situation that may or may not be true. More importantly, it emphasizes the point that in a postmodern society it does not matter whether or not it is true, it is about the subject delivering a successful joke.
At the end of the video Stefan asks the videographer if she is going to post the footage on YouTube, and also suggests a title for the video. This comment would imply that he was eager to have the footage shared online. In generations’ prior, privacy and identity were important. In this video Stefan has divulged a number of personal matters that define who he is. For example, he is a tennis player, he is Jewish, and he works in commercial real estate. In this generation, the public exposure of identity is important. Websites such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube are all used to communicate identity and to keep friends and distant peers up to date on life’s occurrences.
As the video closes, the videographer flashes text on the screen that reads, “Thank you Marina Douche Bag… who ever you are”. The Beck song, “Loser” fades in and serves as a descriptor of the past five minutes of video. Then the videographer closes with XOXO (hugs and kisses) Michelle & Ami. The use of text, music, and video in this closing segment are examples of the way in which pastiche is used in media to more clearly convey a message. The message is that although the video has served as a mockery of the subject, the interviewers still respect him for his entertainment value and also acknowledge that their success in putting together an interesting YouTube clip depends greatly on his act.
Aside from deconstructing the contents, the video can be analyzed as postmodern in a variety of other ways as well. The clip has almost risen to the ranks of a viral video because of the way in which it is presented. It utilizes the appeal of media in today’s society. With the advances in technology at everyone’s fingertips the utilization of the latest software and hardware is essential in staying current. Because technology and fads change so quickly the use of YouTube was important in this video’s success. YouTube enabled the video to reach the largest number of people. If it were posted on MySpace, for example it would most likely not have had over 14,000 hits. MySpace was last year’s crave, and soon Hulu will soon take the lead. In terms of its theme, the video creates a large appeal due to its reality TV feel. Hyperrealism is important in a postmodern framework because of its use in popular television. Today the most watched television shows are the ones that take potentially realistic themes and film them as though they were candid. The Marina Douche Bag video does the same. It is filmed with no professional lighting, no known actors, and it takes place in an existent San Francisco bar. All of these factors link the viewer to the video on a personal level.
The hand-held video camera is the hardware that is necessary to capture these moments. Not only does it serve as a recording tool that enables a video to be shared it also acts as a motivator for the subject being recorded. The camera is an excuse to create a more interesting persona. Once someone is put in front of the camera not only have they have been granted the right to become more interesting and reckless, they are expected to do so. In a postmodern society the camera has created an explosion of style, which is the key to interesting entertainment.
This video is also successful because it creates criticality among other viral videos. Criticality is created through references, the people involved, and its appeal to the small niche area in San Francisco called, The Marina. Stefan not only made references to some of the most talked about movies of this time, but he also pulled references from other current viral videos clips on YouTube (My New Haircut). The act that he plays in front of the video camera encapsulates humor borrowed from others. Equally, the videographer borrows mockery tactics from television shows such as Talk Soup, The Daily Show and the Cobert Report to create humor through the video’s presentation. This is achieved through interruption via editing, and the insertion of her voice over that of Stefan’s. These factors make the video current and therefore critical in viewing.
There are many reflections of postmodernism throughout this YouTube clip. It successfully collapses the real with the fake, it emphasizes irony, appropriation, parody, it deals with pastiche, remake, recycling, intertextuality, and is very explosive in style. The videographer and the subject are clearly immersed in a media saturated society and have created a successful clip based upon the foundations of postmodernism.

Blow Up

Blow Up

Boredom, or lack of stimulus in life is often the catalyst for seeing and understanding on our own terms. Seeing is a state of mind, just as positive and negative thoughts are brought forth by an individual’s state of mind, so is seeing. In the British film, “Blow Up” this idea clearly illustrated.
Throughout the film the main character, a well-known photographer is under stimulated with his day-to-day life of photographing models in a studio. So, in an effort to bring inspiration to his mundane life he takes his camera outside of the studio to shoot something different. He finds a man and a woman in a park passionately kissing and decided to photograph what he was seeing. The woman catches him taking photos and without saying why, she urges him not develop the photos. Contrary to her request, he develops them. After cropping and expanding the photos he finds both a shooter standing in the bushes and a dead body lying in the grass. After thoroughly studying the photos he feels as though he needs to share this info with anyone willing to listen. The film continues with the photographer pondering what he has seen while simultaneously trying to find someone interested in his findings. The film closes with him watching a group of mimes “playing” tennis. Eventually, we hear the subtle sound of the ball bouncing on the court and the racket hitting the ball.
Because of the photographers need for something stimulating in life he is able to manifest details within the photograph. As he was blowing up the original photos the shapes within the crops become more and more distorted, these distorted shapes lead the mind to be creative. So, the photographer saw what he wanted to see. He needed drama in his life, so he made it. There is no doubt that the woman and the man in the park were real, but his interpretation of the situation was not real. At the end of the movie the mimes playing tennis were a metaphor for what had been happening throughout the film. Mimes create false situations so as to entertain themselves and anyone watching. The tennis game at the end of the film begins silently, but as the photographer continues to watch he begins to believe what is happening. He is able to place himself within the mime’s “set” and become part of the game. This metaphor helped to explain the actions and indescribable observations of the photographer. In summary, people see (believe) what they want to see (believe).