Lady Gaga

 

I had my tongue planted firmly in cheek when I called Lady Gaga post modern, though a lot of people would really label her as such.

 

Postmodenism was based around the idea and need to challenge the ideals of beauty and aestheitcs and what could be art. I'll give Gaga credit on the image side of things, she's definitely trying to challenge what can be defined as sexy.

 

But in terms of music however. Exactly what is challenging about Gaga's music at all? It's pop music 100%. I don't see how it's post-modern unless it's intentionally ugly pop music. I'm certainly not denying that possibility, but a lot of people seem to think of it as just great catchy pop music. So are they missing the point?

 

There is stuff I love that can be considered post-modern (especially on the cinema side of things), but I think post-modernism is rather outdated now. We've proven that art can be intentionally ugly if it wants to be and that's ok, so why is it that modern art critics think art is only credible now if it's deliberately ugly? What ever happened to art that can inspire and stimulate you? I fail to even see what's challenging about contemporary art, it's the same old shtick. A guy presented an unside down urinal as art and since then the definition of art has changed dramatically. Art isn't even allowed to be expressive anymore. It's just cold, dry cynicism.

 

Wasn't the repetitive nature of art what guys like Duchamp were complaining about in the first place?