My “Cabinet of Curiosities” (Object 5: Indian Festivals)

For me Indian festivals play a big part in my life, as I am a Hindu. The reason for my curiosity is because the festivals are very unified and pure. The main festivals I am referring to are: The festival of light (Diwali) and Holi.

First off Diwali is all about bringing the forces of light into the world and banishing the forces of evil with it. This is done by lighting candles and emerging area’s in light in order to welcome the gods to one’s neighbourhood or house etc.

Follow link: Diwali Explained

http://www.dailypicsupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/god-ganesh-at-diwali-festival.jpg

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The actual day of Diwali is traditionally celebrated on the festival’s third day, which this year falls on Thursday, October 23. The festival usually falls between the middle of October and the middle of November, although this is decided upon by the Hindu lunar calendar. While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century BC.

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/diwali-2014-what-is-the-festival-of-lights-and-how-is-it-celebrated-9810212.html

The second main festival is often described as the festival of colour, termed as “Holi”.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Holi_Festival_of_Colors_Utah,_United_States_2013.jpg

The festival of colour explained (Extract below taken from this link)

Holi is one of the oldest festivals of India. There are many interesting stories associated with the festival’s origin as one moves across the different states from North to South and East to West. Paintings and scriptures depict the roots of the festival. Mythology plays a very important part in narrating the festival of Holi. The most popular stories of Holi origin relates to ‘Holika Dahan’ and Legend of Radha-Krishan.

Holi (an introduction)

Overall these two main festivals are important to me. They are not only part of my religion as a Hindu, but also a part of me. This is because of what the festivals stand for. The main message being to honour god and to bring light out of the darkness in each instance. The festivals also bring together families alike due to the happiness the festivals bring and so forth. Thus it is for this reason that my curiosity of Indian festivals comes a lot from what I believe in as a religious individual. Furthermore my mum is quite religious thus she believes in celebrating festivals like these. Mostly celebrating Diwali every year. For which she and myself light candles and put them outside our house to welcome the God’s to our home. In order to bless us and all those around us. With the candles we light acting as a protective shield against the evil spirits, which may try to enter our house.

My “Cabinet of Curiosities” (Object 4: Celebrities/The pressures of being famous)

First off (taken from ‘oxforddictionaries.com’) a celebrity can be defined as either the state of being well-known or a famous person in sport or entertainment.

For me the reason I’m really curious about celebrities is because they are all around us. Considering how almost anyone can become a celebrity due to multimedia platforms taking off during recent years. For example blogging has risen considerable especially through YouTube. This is because many bloggers have become virtually famous.

One success story among many is the YouTube blogger ‘Zoella’ (please follow link below)

Zoella

It’s important to realise that many issues surround celebrities. For example although this article(link below) was published in the 90’s. It gives a real insight behind the glitz and glamour surrounding fame.

“The Other Side of Fame”

Overall my curiosity of fame stems from the wide world around me. This is because of the actors and singers who are out their making a name for themselves. Especially in today’s day and age there are many young stars who are garnering fame at an extremely early point in their career. Thus it’s for this reason that temptation can become an easy route out (i.e. drugs and so forth). Thus it’s important to make sure that the fame doesn’t become to over whelming for them. Especially in today’s era where social networking sites can be accessed by anyone. Thus its even more easier to send hateful messages to celebrities. Furthermore mounting on the pressure for them as well as the pressure that their talent holds too.

Latest articles of “the pressure of fame” have been attached below. With the main article concerning “One Direction’s: Zayn Malik”.

Fame (Zayn Malik)

Fame and Addiction: Fame and Addiction (Info.)

Kate Moss and “the pressures of fame”: Kate Moss and Fame

Lulu and the pressures of being famous at a young age: Lulu’s insight on Fame

Selena Gomez sends out warning of the pressures of fame: Selena Gomez’s warning on Fame

Rihanna and the pressures of fame (recent): Rihanna and Fame

My “Cabinet of Curiosities” (Object 3: Reading)

Reading for me is a way that I can escape from the world for a few hours or even minutes. However it also means I can take up a new identity. For example there may be a character that I really like (whether that be the protagonist or even antagonist). Thus I may put myself in their shoes to imagine their thoughts and feelings. For me this helps to make sense of the wider world in some ways, especially for someone like myself.

Most recently I read “The Girl in The Red Coat” by Kate Hamer. The storyline followed an eight year old girl being kidnapped by a man, who supposedly was her grandfather which her single mum had no contact with any more. It turns out that the man works with the church seeking ‘the divine child’ who has healing properties. Thus the eight year old girl is held captive (which she is unaware of) for her healing powers.

For me this book was extremely interesting considering religion was brought into it. However you could say the ugly side of religion was shown. In the way that it can be quite controlling and unforgiving if it is to be practised by the wrong people as such. The story also featured the themes of loss, love, hope and redemption. Thus for me this book was a very unusual yet suspenseful read. Considering its narrative focuses on a young girl going missing, with the effects following taking on an twisty route.

The Girl in The Red Coat (blurb)

Below (insert) are some of the books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed.

Overall the reason for me including ‘Reading’ in my cabinet of curiosities is because i have it to be very personal to me. This is because even if i don’t read for a few weeks or so when i do the satisfaction is very special. The reason being that I’m transcended into someone else’s world which I immediately have to adapt my self into. In order for me to truly feel the story for all it is. This helps me to think of alternate endings from each of the characters. Helping me to prolong the story, making it live on in my mind. Reading also helps with my creativity as I look at things from a different angle. For example from perspectives which are small to those which take the centre stage. Thus making sense of the real world in todays day and age.

My “Cabinet of Curiosities” (Object 2: Reality TV)

My curiosity of reality TV was explored further during my A2 Media studies course. This was because our brief involved looking into reality TV amongst other areas for our exam. For me this particular type of television really stood out amongst the other types of TV. In particular the programmes we focused on included ‘MTV’s Catfish’,’MTV’s Teen Mom’ and’E4’s Made in Chelsea’.

Some interesting articles which I have found have been attached below:

Reality TV and Social Class

Reality_Check-libre (Catfish ‘Reality Check’)

‘Teen Mom’: Influencing their audience

True link between pregnancy and teen mom

Teen Mom (Article)

Teen Mom effect

Catfish (Effects)

The truth behind reality TV shows: The Timeline (Open Link)

Reality TV has grown a lot since the 90’s: ‘The 90’s’

What’s interesting however is drawing a link between ‘Candid Camera’ to ‘Made in Chelsea’ (see link below)

C.C Vs M.I.C

For me reality TV makes an interesting point of discussion. This is because I often wonder why these shows are created the way that they are. For example ‘Teen Mom’s’ main purpose is to create an awareness of teen pregnancy. However young audiences are extremely impressionable. Thus may use the programme as an inspiration to feature on reality TV. Seeking to get pregnant young, whilst not really understanding the long-term effects such as: money struggles, addiction, guilt, regret and so forth. Considering they may not want a child for the right reasons but rather for the wrong reasons, leaving them pregnant at a very young age. Where they themselves as still a child and not yet an adult. Thus the fascination for me with reality TV is the effect it has on young audiences and the message it sends out to them.

Reality TV in some ways does inspire me considering I hope to one day become a director.In particular, whats really fascinating is how directors of many reality tv shows capture situations. For example  in “Catfish” the director captures various viewpoints from the victim to the catfishee. Thus is projecting a variety of messages to the audience, which are decoded in various ways by them prior to the encoded message.

My “Cabinet of Curiosities” (Object 1: Bollywood)

Since I was very little I have had a deep interest in Bollywood films. I remember one of the first Bollywood films which I ever watched was “Devdas: Sanjay Leela Bhansali 2002” . This film in particular portrayed love, family, betrayal, addiction amongst many other themes. Although I was very young at the time to really understand the films underlining message. This didn’t stop me from feeling the music of the film in a way that transcended my dance style in a dramatic way even to this day. In particular the song “Maar Dala (Video Song)” which translates to ‘Killed Me’ revolves around a courtesan dancer confessing how her lover has killed her with not loving her back in the way she loves him. Considering he still has feelings for his childhood sweet heart ‘Paro’ which he had to leave behind. The song presents India’s traditional dance style of ‘Kathak’ which consists of fancy footwork with elaborate costumes aiding the intense beats of the style itself. Along with ‘Kathak’ comes the expressions considering the dance style can be translated to ‘storytelling’. Thus this particular dance form is all about telling a story with ones body through their eyes, stance and so forth. Engaging the audience in a variety of ways, making them feel apart of the dance itself by communicating to them a very intricately woven story.

The reason this film in particular means a lot to me is because it portrays ‘Kathak’, which I learned from the age of 4 to 8. Eventually leaving the classes to teach my self various moves and notions etc. From this point I explored many other classical Bollywood films. From which I deciphered their meanings and the way in which the story was being projected onto the audience. One example is the 1960 Evergreen Bollywood film (which was reproduced into colour back in 2004, emerging as a commercial success) ‘Mughal-e-Azam‘. One song in particular among many in the film expresses how one should not be afraid when falling in love. This song is called ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya’: see link:Video Song (P.K.T.D.K).

Note: The full translation of the song talked about above can be found on: “http://www.bollynook.com/en/lyrics/7877/maar-dala/”http://www.bollynook.com/en/lyrics/7877/maar-dala/”

Very recently I performed a modern Bollywood dance. However the song which i danced too borrows some elements of Kathak such as the beats and expressions. This song is called ‘Hamari Atariya Pe’ which translates too ‘upon my balcony’. The song follows the story of a women luring in her lover upon her balcony making sure he doesn’t get ‘poisoned’ by the neighbour next door. As the women wants her lover to be adorned with food and drink by her only.

Follow Link: H.A.P (Ash Patel: Original Dance)

Below are images of my dancing gear which is very personal to me. Thus I have included it in my cabinet of curiosities as my first item. Considering I have a very deep interest in Bollywood dancing (i.e Kathak) and Bollywood films (including evergreen films to modern ones, along with their soundtracks).

A collection of my dance gear. Featuring my costume, bells, music cd’s and Kathak grade book.

My bells (goungroos) and my Kathak grade book. Which I used during my 4 years of Kathak (from the age of 4 to 8).

Music Video: Representation “Beyonce: If I Were A Boy (2008)”

Are masculinity and femininity a social construct?

Yes to a certain degree they are for various reasons. Firstly they identify roles which men have to take and the roles which women have to take, separate from each other. A woman’s role is to look after their husband, and even have a job at the same time if they wish. A men’s role is to provide for their other half. As you can see a woman’s role is much more diverse as they have to do more, however a man’s role is hard as he has to bring the money in to stay financially stable. However a woman is seen to multi task therefore fulfil more than one role to help their man out.

This is shown in the music video at the start, where the man (portraying a woman) is getting breakfast ready for their other half who doesn’t even acknowledge it and just walks away. It is also shown when the woman (portraying a man) stays out late with friends and doesn’t even pick up the phone when her partner phones.

See Link: Beyoncé: If I Were a Boy (Official Video)

Stereotypes

The first stereotype in the music video which is shown is ‘unfaithfulness’ this is shown towards males. As the singer is portraying her partner by singing ‘I’d kick it with who I wanted and I’d never get confronted for it, cause they’d stick up for me’. This represents how men are can do whatever they like and not get into trouble as their friends would back them up, even if they are lying. This is stating that men are ‘unfaithful’ when not all men are, fitting into the stereotype that men are jerks.

Another stereotype towards men which is shown is ‘obsession and control’. This is shown in the middle of the video where the roles of the characters switch to show Beyoncé as herself and her man as himself instead of opposite which was shown from the start of the music video. In this scene we see the man saying to his women ‘why’d you make me look like a fool’ which suggests she embarrassed him. Indicating his control over her as he doesn’t like his women to overshadow him, as he wants to be in control. This shows his status and dominance, as he feels like he has to be in control as he is a male.

Chanel No.5 Advert 2014 (Audience/Inside Chanel No.5)

Audience Positioning/Target Audience

Firstly the main target audience of the text is older females as the fragrance is aimed at them and not the younger generation due to what it connotes at its signature scent is very strong, therefore immediately recognisable amongst the older generation.

Whilst audience positioning of the text includes preferred, oppositional and negotiated reading. First off the preferred reading of the text is that the director showcases the advert like this: A woman, a destiny, a perfume. N°5 #theonethatiwant: The world’s most desirable fragrance (tagline/fragrance reference).

Whilst the negotiated reading is audiences feeling nostalgic about the advert as its been directed by the famous Baz Luhrmann known for the great Moulin Rouge and his most recent work ‘The Great Gatsby’, therefore making everyone remember what he’s about as the advert is lavish and prestige just like his major films have been, notably ‘Moulin Rouge’ (2001) which starred Nicole Kidman who was the main face of ‘Chanel No.5’ from 2004 all the way to 2009.

Leading on to the oppositional reading of the text being that a woman needs a man to be happy, as at the start of the film she is in her zone, until the man enters, making her reflect on their relationship, drawing her in again.

Furthermore shown when her minds distracted from her work as she gets emotional straight after fleeing off to find him. Showing that she needs him to be complete when really she can just focus on herself as he may end up hurting her again (hinted at when he leaves straight after leaving a letter for her, showing that he doesn’t stay at the house, leading him to drive off after).

Explore more (the world of Chanel No.5), follow link: Inside Chanel No.5 (the history)

Chanel No.5 Television Advert 2014 ‘Baz Luhrmann’ (Analysis: Setting)

View Link: Chanel No.5 Advert 2014

The advert starts off with a setting of the ocean (filmed in Fiji, due to its ambient setting, not to mention the motion of its waves), luring audiences in with an underwater shot. The advert was shot here due to its connotation of tranquillity and peace following the theme of the advert being ‘the one that I want’. Which also holds reference to the fragrance advertised ‘Chanel No.5’ as its iconic in itself due to it being around for years, symbolising its prestigious quality aimed at older females due to its strong tones, as its seen as an essential fragrance in every modern woman’s life as that what it’s all about, especially this series ‘No.5’.

The second location in the film is Queens Borough Bridge (Manhattan, New York City), this is an iconic setting which links with the director’s preference as this was where he based his last film ‘The Great Gatsby’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. However Baz Luhrmann in this particular film used a simulation of this setting, therefore in this short film the setting was not simulated as it was actually shot there, adding authenticity and rawness to the production so that the audience get a feel of where its shot as New York itself connotes love, mystery and feeling, therefore fitting to the story of the film. Showcasing a love between a man and a woman falling short (hinted at the start when the man leaves a note for the woman and immediately goes after, suggesting he wants her to come get him) then being re-lit.

This location also used the iconic setting in placing the ‘Chanel No.5 Logo’ in the scene making it more aesthetically impacting, as its created the place to look more ‘Chanel’ as it’s at night connoting glamour, expense, all associating in with ‘Chanel’. There is also the theatre, where the singer is singing (Lo-Fang, known for his grasp tone/instrumental skills as he plays the violin in the film himself, adding to his vast music ability).

This setting is picturesque as it’s where the man is waiting for the woman, it leaves the audience with anticipation if she will come or not as it adds to the song in some ways ‘the one that I want’ contemplating she is his only, in other words ‘the one’. Which could further be drawn in association with ‘Chanel No.5’ as it describes it as ‘the one’ fragrance which older women need as in some ways it’s a part of them therefore ‘essential’. Which furthermore makes them who they are as a dab of ‘Chanel No.5’ is historic, subtle, and smooth, making the women feel embraced as such as it’s a ‘vital’ part of her, just like love is in one’s life (depicted through the film).

“The other thing about New York in the most contemporary is the city which expresses the universal, it’s to me the cross roads of the world, New York is the place to live all kinds of lives, it’s the place of fiction and possibility”- Baz Luhrmann (Chanel No.5 Set: The Locations), video

The last location is where the house is upon the shore (this was filmed in Montauk) where the female character runs in after she has surfed as she sees the man leave, immediately making her wonder why he didn’t stay. The reason for the film being shot in Montauk was for the house, due to the building being very modern, clean and updated (signifying a very modern Chanel as described by Baz himself), not to mention very open therefore making the director find it fitting, as it shows how much Chanel has evolved as such as it’s still around in this modern era, showing how its impact is still an ongoing thing, as it hasn’t declined or been taken off as it represents Chanel the most. Especially out of the other fragrances. This is because it’s a classic, as older women are still buying it to this day because it has a signature smell, bottle and even a deep history behind it, way back to the likes of Marilyn Monroe in the 1960’s as shown in the ad representing Chanel No.5 last year, showcasing old archive footage of what Marilyn wears. In the interview footage she declared: “I only wear CHANEL N°5 (to bed).”

Film: Editing of ‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)

Many editing techniques are used in this movie. For example a jump cut (Moving abruptly from one scene to another) is used at the start of the movie. This is when someone bad is going on, which sets the movie off straight away. The scene then changes straight away to a different location, Gru’s house. This is a prime example of a jump cut as the audience are taken on a ride from one scene to another very quickly, so they have to make sure they are observant, otherwise they may miss some of the action.

Another editing technique is of a superimposition (insert below). This is where two or more images are placed directly over each other (i.e. an eye and a camera lens to create a visual metaphor). This is seen near the middle of the movie. Where the princess has taken the hero away to get him to meet with her superior. The minions are unaware of this, therefore are trying to get him back. This scene (below) shows one of the minions being caught out, as they are being looked at through the rear view mirror, facing towards the camera. This shows a shot within a shot as the camera is not only showing the mirror, but also what’s inside the mirror, signifying to the audience all that is happening.

TV: ABC’s ‘Revenge’/CBS’s ‘Stalker’ (Location)

‘Stalker’ and ‘Revenge’ both use New York as their retrospective backdrops. This affects audiences more as they feel inclined to view the programmes, desiring the lifestyle. Through the dramatisation of the city lights, emphasising a realistic back drop, as cities are big and busy connoting realism. ‘Revenge’ also represents The Hampton’s; this setting connotes luxury and class highlighted through social status. The back drop is seen to be exclusively for the wealthy, demonstrating hierarchy. In a sense it shows how these individuals are very dominant within their society, due to the power they possess. An example of this is when the protagonist is at her lavish engagement party, hosted by her fiancé’s mother (who is the antagonist). The venue is at Grayson manor, emphasising the rich society coming together for this engagement. This shows the audiences how the setting is used to complement these particular type of people. Comparatively, ‘Stalker’ also expresses wealth through the lifestyles but not as much, however the symbolisation of power plays its part. For example the LAPD are a wealthy workforce, acquiring the latest software and tech in tracking down the stalker(s). This is shown with the setting of the LAPD department which is big and well maintained. They are also provided anything they require by other police departments. Power is inserted through the authority the LAPD have, which is different to the type of authority in ‘Revenge’, as the authority is to do with social status and wealth.

Location of ‘Revenge’