Question
Post colonialist theory developed from early equal rights campaigns in Europe and America, and aims to critically expose the ideological dichotomy the "West" being superior to the "East". It includes the decolonisation of academia and art history in general, by exposing colonial conceptions of the Other in art and visual culture. In this essay, I will critically analyse the Carter's music video Apeshit (2018) in light of postcolonialism. I will discuss three stills from the video by focusing on the there main aspects of the theory, such as Othering, hair and hair politics and skin tone politics.
Write this in a form of a formal conclusion
Write this in a form of a formal conclusion
Answers
GPT 3.5
In conclusion, the analysis of Carter's music video Apeshit (2018) through the lens of postcolonialism allows us to critically examine the ideological dichotomy perpetuated by the concept of the "West" being superior to the "East". The theory of postcolonialism originated from early equal rights campaigns in Europe and America, aiming to expose and dismantle colonial conceptions of the Other in various aspects of society, including academia and art history.
Through the three stills examined in this essay, we can identify the three main aspects of postcolonial theory at play: Othering, hair and hair politics, and skin tone politics. The first aspect, Othering, highlights the construction of the "Other" as a means of establishing hierarchical power dynamics. By featuring the Louvre Museum as the background in the music video, Carter challenges the dominant narrative that positions Western art and culture as superior, thus unveiling the colonial gaze and subverting it.
Secondly, the exploration of hair and hair politics in the video challenges Western beauty standards and celebrates Black hair as a form of resistance against colonial ideals. Carter's emphasis on the beauty and diversity of Black hairstyles symbolizes empowerment and challenges the historically imposed notion of Eurocentric beauty norms, which have perpetuated marginalization and discrimination.
Lastly, the video delves into skin tone politics, challenging the Eurocentric notion that lighter skin is superior to darker skin. By highlighting the presence of a diverse range of skin tones among the dancers, Carter challenges the deep-rooted racial prejudice and colorism that have historically perpetuated social hierarchies and oppression.
Through its visual and lyrical content, Apeshit confronts the colonial mindset and promotes self-empowerment, cultural affirmation, and inclusivity. This aligns with the goals of postcolonial theory in exposing and dismantling the colonial conceptions of the Other in art and visual culture. As we continue to strive for a more equitable and inclusive world, it is essential to engage in critical analyses that shed light on the impact of colonialism and challenge dominant narratives. Only through such reflection and action can we work towards a more just and equal society.
Through the three stills examined in this essay, we can identify the three main aspects of postcolonial theory at play: Othering, hair and hair politics, and skin tone politics. The first aspect, Othering, highlights the construction of the "Other" as a means of establishing hierarchical power dynamics. By featuring the Louvre Museum as the background in the music video, Carter challenges the dominant narrative that positions Western art and culture as superior, thus unveiling the colonial gaze and subverting it.
Secondly, the exploration of hair and hair politics in the video challenges Western beauty standards and celebrates Black hair as a form of resistance against colonial ideals. Carter's emphasis on the beauty and diversity of Black hairstyles symbolizes empowerment and challenges the historically imposed notion of Eurocentric beauty norms, which have perpetuated marginalization and discrimination.
Lastly, the video delves into skin tone politics, challenging the Eurocentric notion that lighter skin is superior to darker skin. By highlighting the presence of a diverse range of skin tones among the dancers, Carter challenges the deep-rooted racial prejudice and colorism that have historically perpetuated social hierarchies and oppression.
Through its visual and lyrical content, Apeshit confronts the colonial mindset and promotes self-empowerment, cultural affirmation, and inclusivity. This aligns with the goals of postcolonial theory in exposing and dismantling the colonial conceptions of the Other in art and visual culture. As we continue to strive for a more equitable and inclusive world, it is essential to engage in critical analyses that shed light on the impact of colonialism and challenge dominant narratives. Only through such reflection and action can we work towards a more just and equal society.