Today we learnt about semiotics, a way of writing about something we understand visually.
Sign = Signifier + Signified
form concept
form concept
- Iconic Signs - look like the things they signify
- Indexical Signs - refers to other knowledges such as grey clouds = rain
- Symbolic Signs - have meaning due to convention. words + flags etc.
- Symbolic Signs - have meaning due to convention. words + flags etc.
After discussing a number of topics such as sign systems, the really interesting pioneer plaque and the hidden meanings behind leather trousers.. we moved onto Pink's video 'Stupid Girls'.
The entire video is filled with visual data we can process and understand. The lighting hitting certain bits of her body, the fashion, from gangsta clothes to the slutty girly outfits. At the start of the video the girl is playing with barbie toys yet by the end of 'stupid girls' she favours more masculine toys and goes outside to play football. There are conscience guides at the very start of the video. Fire/hell = bad and White/heaven = good. Which is an indexical sign. We know them from cartoons and other religious referencing video present in our western culture.
The video takes a lot of signs such as big boobs, platinum blonde hair and orange tans, along with surgery to show exactly what people associate those things with, 'stupid girls'. There is also a shot of Pink with 50cent and she is dancing against him, sharing the camera space equally. However, the light is on her, but only on her curves. 50cent pays no attention to her at all, showing she is only a body. His clothes are also emanating pimp, with a fur coat and lots of jewelery. There are clips aimed at looking aged due to the tv showing black and white only, the clothing being dated, exaggerated female gestures, these all give impressions of war times, when girls looked immaculate and acted so. There is some footage of her playing football outside with a lot of guys showing that she could be doing something other than being a stupid girl and there is an indication of her being president whilst stood on a podium infront of the American flag.
Basically everything in this video from start to finish is set up to show something meaningful. The camera angles, the lighting, the clothing, the environment, the lyrics at the time. the camera space shared with others, the direct links to other popular culture icons such as Paris Hiltons sex tape and Jessica Simpsons car washing all of it is visually symbolic of stupid girls and the idea you don't have to become one.
The video takes a lot of signs such as big boobs, platinum blonde hair and orange tans, along with surgery to show exactly what people associate those things with, 'stupid girls'. There is also a shot of Pink with 50cent and she is dancing against him, sharing the camera space equally. However, the light is on her, but only on her curves. 50cent pays no attention to her at all, showing she is only a body. His clothes are also emanating pimp, with a fur coat and lots of jewelery. There are clips aimed at looking aged due to the tv showing black and white only, the clothing being dated, exaggerated female gestures, these all give impressions of war times, when girls looked immaculate and acted so. There is some footage of her playing football outside with a lot of guys showing that she could be doing something other than being a stupid girl and there is an indication of her being president whilst stood on a podium infront of the American flag.
Basically everything in this video from start to finish is set up to show something meaningful. The camera angles, the lighting, the clothing, the environment, the lyrics at the time. the camera space shared with others, the direct links to other popular culture icons such as Paris Hiltons sex tape and Jessica Simpsons car washing all of it is visually symbolic of stupid girls and the idea you don't have to become one.
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