Friday, November 20, 2009
It is common for many designers to ignore what is popular in today's culture because we believe we are too good to like what everyone else is liking. Designers like to be on the cutting edge of everything, what everybody else loves today is whatever we loved a year ago.
I, however, try to explore both what is popular and what is, for lack of better word, indie. Lady Gaga is currently ubiquitous as one of the reining queens of pop but I, as a designer, am incredibly intrigued by her. I am especially intrigued by her new music video, "Bad Romance".
Musicians often use music videos as a promotion for their music, an experience that is ultimately not visual. The concept of music videos is therefore not always put into emphasis as a medium because it it easy to create cliche shots of alternately serenading the camera and spending happy long-forgotten memories with a loved one. It is clear, however, that Lady Gaga identifies the music video as a medium just as essential to her art as the lyrics of her songs.
"Bad Romance", as depicted in the stills above, creates several rather striking images. It is important to recognize how Lady Gaga presses deliberate emphasis not only on the music but also on the clothes, set design, lighting and overall styling and direction. The scenes in her music video are undoubtedly strange but I find that this is what makes Lady Gaga incredibly intriguing and unique. Her outfits and dispositions make the viewer question the symbolism and representations of Lady Gaga's image - a feat that "normal" music videos would not venture to attempt.
I believe Lady Gaga is successful because she makes every action and every choice one of importance. Although she remains vague on her true reasons, every setting and styling decision clearly carries heavy underlying meanings. "Bad Romance" is both a visual and auditory treat and reminds the viewer of the power of good design. Lady Gaga, although extravagant, always suggests to the viewer that there is a reason for everything superfluous.
12:34 AM by jamie.