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Social Commentary
Arts, Social Commentary and Transformation
BuildaBridge Institute
J. Nathan Corbitt
Description
Name of Art Work
Artist
Issue
Medium
Date Created
Historical Context
Cultural Context
Method of Diffusion
Comment
Carmen (song)
from the album Racine Carre (Square Root)
Artist: Stromae (stage name)/Paul Van Haver (birth
name, Belgian)
Video Director: Sylvain Chomet (French)
Video Writers: Sylvain Chomet & OrelSan (French)
Lyricists: Stromae & OrelSan
Negative Effects of Social Media
Song and Music Video
2013 (song released in the US in 2014)
2015 (music video released internationally)
According to eMarketers 2013 report, Worldwide
Social Network Users: 2013 Forecast and
Comparative Estimates, nearly one in four people
worldwide will use social networks in 2013 [1.73
billion users] by 2017, the global social network
audience will total 2.55 billion (1). The decade
following the start of the new millennium ushered
in an exciting and innovative time during which the
largest and most successful social media
networking platforms were introduced to the
world (2): MySpace (2003), Facebook (2004),
YouTube (2005), Twitter (2006), SoundCloud
(2007), and Instagram (2010).
The emergence of social media has transformed
the way in which people all over the world connect
with others. The combination of a few key factors
has led to the ubiquity of social medias influence
in our daily lives: affordable personal technology
devices such as Smartphones, increased worldwide
availability of the internet, and the human desire
to connect with others to share life.
Internet (primarily YouTube, Artists website, and
Segmented Audience
Target Intended
Organizing
(bureaucratizing)
Declining
Result of Movement and Arts
(Describe)
Success
Reformative
Redemptive
Revolutionary
Content (Describebased on world
view analysis)
Emotional Appeal (Emotions
Evoked)
Primary Value Targeted
Belief Statements Implied or Stated
Resistant (protest)
Creative Intent
Reflective (commentary
only)
Reactive (protest)
Proactive (instructive)
Artistic Analysis
Symbols (including text) used
Style
Refinement
Discussion:
It is easy to find articles, Op-Eds, blogs, even books (e.g. Digital Vertigo: How Today's
Online Social Revolution Is Dividing, Diminishing, and Disorienting Us, 2012, by Andrew
Keen) written in the last few years that argue for a shift away from our societys obsession
with social media. Critics highlight its inherent paradox: social media exists to connect us,
but often leaves us feeling alone together (3). Business blogger Carol Roth even offers a
step-by-step plan for embarking on a social media diet (10). She advocates for engaging
in moderation, spending time with actual friends and loved ones, and reading books and
other sources of deep, thought-provoking information.
Stromaes song and accompanying music video is an example of a socially transformative
creative artwork. The song and its lyrics are a cutting commentary that highlights the evils
of the worlds growing unhealthy infatuation with social media. Stromae raises our level
of consciousness, causes us to reevaluate why and how we engage in social media, and
awakens us to the negative consequences of our social behavior online. By including
references to recognizable international figures (e.g. President of the US, Queen of
England) Stromae, a Belgian artist, makes the argument that this is an issue plaguing
societies all over the world. It is my belief that the Anti-Social Movement will gain
momentum and supporters.
References:
1. http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Social-Networking-Reaches-Nearly-One-FourAround-World/1009976#sthash.9uVsbEcP.dpuf
2. http://www.wikipedia.org
3. http://www.wired.com/2015/02/is-social-media-a-waste-of-time/
4. https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociologytextbook/social-change-21/social-movements-140/the-stages-of-social-movements-7707710/?
5. https://www.ebscohost.com/uploads/imported/thisTopic-dbTopic-1248.pdf
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/fashion/digital-detox-email-smartphone-socialmedia.html?_r=0
7. https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociologytextbook/social-change-21/social-movements-140/types-of-social-movements-768-4965/
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normative_social_influence
9. http://www.npr.org/event/music/396789203/stromaes-new-carmen-slashes-hashtagcluture
10. http://www.carolroth.com/blog/why-i-went-on-a-social-media-diet/