Image, Vehicle and Power

Today we analysed how a musical artist is perceived by his or her audience by the star image and how it is conveyed as a vehicle. This includes studying how the image is constructed due to how the artsist choose to represent themselves. This can be from the clothing they were to the lyrics conveyed in the music video. It can also be from the 'fans' shown in the video, whether they be actors or actual fans shown in a live performance (a common trait for artists in the 70's and 80's since the concept of a narrative and structure of the music video trend wasn't common among the music scene). The star vehicle also enables the artist to change from one type of image to another, such as trend seting (Madonna) and going solo (Justin Timberlake).












Above: Madonna in the music video for 'Material Girl' 1985. The video features Madonna in a Maryln Monroe like posture and uses bright colours to show her established look. The video was directed by Mary Lambert.

Below: The 'Frozen' 1998 music video features a complete change of contrast in image, showing a change in colours and style both in terms of music and artistic progression. The video was directed by Chris Cunningham.












Another element is the start power, which takes several forms such as economic (financial earnings) and artsistic power (creative control over both the music and the image). There is also the element of ideological power, which is the influence the artist has over it's audience. They may use this to influence the idea of fashion (rappers promoting gold chains) and opnions/attitude (Prince promoting the influence of God and Jesus in his music).