what's tasty these days?

the evaluation of taste and cultural politics in a new way

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I chose to look at Laura Kipnis' article "Disgust and Desire: Hustler Magazine. She engages with the history and story of Hustler magazine and its impact on the porn industry. Before reading this article I had no idea what was out there in the academic world regarding pornography and the studies that have been done to understand it. Flynt, the original publisher of Hustler was shot in an attempt to kill him and stop the publishing of the magazine. Hustler was seen as opposite to playboy because it was seen to be more obscene and disturbing. Flynt aimed to show the real view rather than the standardized, stylized image that was aimed to please the male gaze. Flynt openly admitted to wanting to disturb and unsettle the readers by challenging the conventions. The magazine represented different body parts and images that were not found in the traditional 'nudey' magazines. Flynt was devoted to producing grossness with an obsessive focus on the lower half of the body and the process of elimination. 

Kipnis states that Hustler was more aimed toward the working class audience. The magazine was created to violate the reconstructed view produced by the higher brow porn magazines, i.e. Playboy that highlight the beauty and elegance of the woman rather than the reality behind the picture. 

This article really relates to the discussion we had in class regarding the british tv show focusing on dirt and dirt in the home. Flynt showed the audience elements that most did not discuss nor does the audience traditionally address these aspects of life. Flynt aimed to turn the pornography industry around by appealing to the fetish elements of the audience. Flynt really appeals to a  certain taste and was not easily accepted by society because he showed the "inside" of the body rather than the elegant exterior. In this sense he eliminated elements of life that society was previously ignoring. Although a hard pill to swallow, Flynt changed the porn industry by making it a reality and more accessible to a wider audience. 

[thedistinctionoftaste-blog]

Céline Dion

Céline Dion Céline Dion is a scary French Canadian female recording artist best known for…

I found this pretty hilarious…. it is the parody to Celine Dion’s Wiki page, basically just making fun of her. Most of it can’t be true. It  just reminded me a lot of the start of Wilson’s book.

I never really thought of Celine as a medium with no message, but I do now. She is an incredibly talented singer, don’t get me wrong. 

However, I think she would be more credible amongst fans if she was to write her own music. 

I was trying to pinpoint other artists with the same type of credibility…. perhaps Sarah Mclaughlin? 

Any artist to me with that type of ballet and overpowering voice calls into question in my mind that perhaps they are all just voice vessels and mediums with no message. I think artists gain a lot more credibility when they write their own music. 

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After reading this i tried to think of other artists that had the same reputation as celine dion and I still can't come up with one! She is so unique and 'special' in the culture industry that I think she can't really be compared to anyone and in that sense I think Wilson chose the perfect person to engage with because of her connection to culture and the audience and her unique ability to connect to with people on multiple levels 

[navarrocomm]

Did I mention I love the bachelor?  This season was quite disappointing however it was definitely my biggest guilty pleasure all season, which some consider to be a bad object.

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I find the concept of a bad object really interesting because of the two ways we can look at it, passive and active. As a passive audience we just accept the guilty pleasure but as an active audience member we challenge it. This goes back to our discussion of reality television and the illusion it provides and the reality behind the show. as a passive audience member we would blindly accept these shows as reality, however as an active member we can challenge the reality behind the show. 

[tastenculturalpoliticsrach]

The thing that I found interesting when analyzing this show was the notion of class and how is played in specifically to this show. I don’t think I have ever seen an episode of what not to wear, where the people cannot afford the clothes. Most of the people that are chosen have secure jobs that...

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the one thing that I found interesting from our discussion was the connection to culture and economic capital and the emphasis this show puts on that connection. The show really values the way an individual displays their cultural and economic capital through their clothing. I found this interesting because I feel as though our society with the increase in brand names, and the need for logos has increased the connection between cultural and economic capital and the connection to our outward appearance. In this respect I see this connection as an element of dandyism in the modern day. 

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Going back to our discussion on subcultures I really tried to relate it to something other than punk because I don't have a lot of connection to the punk subculture and find it difficult to understand in terms of punk culture. When someone mentioned the gym rat subculture I began to relate to it a little more.. Being a girl i find I am on the outside of this subculture as it is primarily a boys club.. that being said there is now an emerging subculture of women who lift #girlscanlifttoo. I thought this was really interesting because I found myself in a subculture I didn't know I was in. That being said I can now see how this subculture displays itself. Women in this culture don't dress to impress at the gym, they value skill and technique and simply want to workout to better themselves. In this way I can connect more with this understanding of a subculture and it has become more evident to me how a subculture displays themselves by being able to relate it to myself! #gymrat

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Big Brother Canada Season 2 - Watch Online | Full Episodes & Schedule

So as some of you may know BBCAN has started its second season and as a huge fan of the american version of the show I have found myself becoming addicted to this season! In our discussion of reality television i found myself connecting a lot of the discussion to this show.. As West suggests, the individual who watches the trash television becomes trashy. I find myself becoming one of those reality tv watchers that discusses the show with friends and follows the show on social media. It has become part of my social life, I watch it with the same people each week and we comment and discuss the show as it happens. One of the most addicting elements is the live feed option and the ability to watch the houseguests apart from the show... Reality television as discussed in class isn't really reality, and that is what drives me to watch the live feed, to see the reality behind the reality television show. I think this is what is missing from shows like "how clean is your house" or even "what not to wear" because they don't provide you with the reality of the situation, rather they frame the situation in order to create a reality that the audience will find interesting. My question now is ... because the audience is aware that reality television isn't reality will there be a shift in reality television or will the genre shift in order to be more realistic? 

#teamarlie #BBCAN #realitytv

[rob4p34]

FIRST KISS - Reality TV vs. Real Life

We asked twenty strangers to kiss for the first time…. Film presented by WREN http://wrenstudio.com/ Music by Soko “We Might be Dead Tomorrow” http://smart…

One of the latest videos to go viral is essentially a sample of reality television, disguised as a natural social experiment. The video First Kiss by director Tatia Pilieva depicts groups of two strangers meeting each other for the first time, where they then have to make out and share a ‘beautiful’ kiss on the spot.

The video has blown up since its upload date 4 days ago, and has already generated nearly 50 million views. It has received loads of positive support for it’s ‘natural romanticism’ and ‘encouraging views on human relationships’.

However, as is typically the case with reality-TV, there is much more going on behind the scenes than what we see at face value. Further research into the creation of the video shows that the participants in this video have been strategically selected (just like reality-TV). It has been revealed that every participant is either a model, musician, or actor. These are people who excel in social environments and are not awkward in uncomfortable situations. It is not very difficult to watch two models kiss each other either.

While this is not what we would typically consider ‘reality TV’, this video has the same scripted feel and expresses the same ideologies we see over and over again in reality-TV shows. It tried to promote values of ‘self-worth’ and ‘exploration of human relationships and curiosity’, but because of the video’s narratives which have pre-determined outcomes, the video just results in the promotion of an alternate, false reality.

This is not real life. If you truly took the first two random people you saw and made them kiss, the results would be much more awkward, unnatural, and borderline disgusting. To watch the REAListic version of how this experiment would actually play out and not the reality-TV manipulated version seen here, click here (highly recommended):

http://www.vice.com/en_ca/shorties/we-got-twenty-british-strangers-who-arent-models-to-kiss-each-other

[navarrocomm]

You just burst my bubble! LOL I really liked watching this video. Regardless of whether it was predetermined or not, this is different than all reality television, it kind of gives humanity some hope. Most reality television is about alcohol, sex, partying, etc as well as extreme make-overs and unreal weight loss, what better way to bring back human connections than through this ‘experiment’.

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I feel like more and more of these videos are starting to emerge that burst the reality they first were constructed under. I wonder if this is a turn in our society and we actually want the reality behind the video rather than the illusion it provides. I have been keeping up with Big Brother Canada season 2 (#teamarlie) and i sometimes find myself watching the live feeds and it almost shatters the illusion that the show creates but I still feel the need to keep watching.Reality tv is one of those things that we all know is constructed and feel the need to peak behind the blinds if you will and I think this is because we actually want to see the reality rather than the reality that is constructed. 

[tastenculturalpoliticsrach]

Bricolage 

After our conversation about bricolage. I immediately thought about Pinterest. It is like an entire site full of appropriation and do-it-yourselfs. We may have talked about punks but I always like to take what we’ve learned and relate it to my own taste. In recent years something I have noticed that has constantly been reappropriated is the mason jar. It is something that many people have taken and made their own. It has made a statement. 

This is just one example but the DIY world has been booming lately and it is the perfect example of bricolage because a lot of the time, it is taking things from a bunch of items and bringing it together. DIY’s are one of my favourite things, I love seeing the way that people take things and change them to make it their own. Or use everyday items to create an item that would regularly be very expensive. 

[amyfishy]

Great idea bringing up pinterest as an example of bricolage. When we first talked of bricolage in class in relation to punk subculture i sort of had a negatvie outlook on bricolage. However this made me realize how many different ways bricolage can be created. It also made me think of websites such as etsy, which like pinterest is a lot of DIY crafts, art and jewelry which is then sold online for people to buy. It goes to show that now bricolage is a very popular trend and even a way for creative people to make profit. I think that bricolage is only going to grow in the future!

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This was incredibly helpful because I also had a certain understanding about bricolage because of the way we looked at it in class.. but looking at it in this light makes it much more manageable and applicable to my view. now I can see bricolage in everything we do... including this tumblr. I would like to continue to understand bricolage in the sense of pop culture in a more relevant way to current times and something other than punk culture for a better understanding of it. 

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I had a discussion with my roommate the other night about the validity in the voice compared to that found in american idol. The argument was that because the contestants went through a "blind" audition on the voice they were solely judged on their ability rather than their appearance.. that being said I relate this to Wilson's theory of the authentic inauthentic.. the real fake. I see that example... if I'm understanding the concept correctly.. that the authentic inauthentic can be seen in first reality tv shows but more so in shows like american idol vs the voice. American Idol is aimed at making a spectacle of the individual. I would be interested to see how this concept can be expanded on. 

[navarrocomm]

In the last few weeks we have been talking about taste in terms of how one can define it as well as identity itself. When I think of Lady Gaga, I can picture her trying to define her image and style in terms of what she is not. She is obviously not your average celebrity walking the red carpet, she is known for having ridiculous and yet astounding outfits that keep people talking for weeks. Is her taste formed from others’ distastes? or is this truly who she is as an artist and her identity?

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This caught my eye.. I must say the one thing this class has done (among many other things) has made me think about how to apply each week's topic to real life. I never thought about lady gaga in terms of taste but she is a great representative of how an individual portrays themselves and their personal tastes can be represented in the media. Clearly her appearance is made to make a statement and is therefore meaningful to those who see meaning behind her actions. we create our identity to form meaning, and we create our identity through displaying our tastes. this being said I identified more with the fact that we know what we don't like more than knowing what we do... so to answer the question above.. I don't believe she is forming her identity based on other's distaste but her own.. I would argue that the person she represents has nothing to do with the tastes of the masses but her individual tastes. In this sense I believe that Lady Gaga is a very unique individual who truly demonstrates her true tastes through the demonstration of her identity. 

[yamilovesharry]

[navarrocomm]

Tattoos for some people are a form of art and expression. For others however, can be tacky, non-artistic, rebellious, etc. This goes to show the fact the difference between Kitsch and Camp. Kitsch is usually within the form of art, while camp is in the eye of the beholder.

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After viewing this.. I began to realize that really anything and everything can be considered camp or kitsch depending on who and how you are looking at it (not sure if thats correct or not!) But as someone who has and loves tattoos this intrigued me! Although the meaning of one may not be clear to everyone... it means something to the possessor and therefore can be considered to be kitsch to some and camp to others.. again the confusion just continues! 

[amyfishy]

The Original Dandy

Chuck Bass can symbolize the modern day dandy, in that he has impeccable taste, however he is never showy or blatantly wearing designer labels. Although most of the viewers of the hit show Gossip Girl, are not in the same class as the character Chuck Bass, and cannot realize what specific designers and brands he is wearing, we are still able to see from his dress that he belongs to a certain class. It is a lot more common in todays society for dandyism to be related to inconspicuous consumption. People with real money wont be seen flaunting around in designer labels, instead they will be wearing items that rely on symbolism which only other members of their class will be able to distinguish.

[navarrocomm]

He is definitely the modern day dandy. However it’s interesting to mention that he does have what Bourdieu calls the cultural capital, social capital, etc. He is born wealthy, from the upper east side, unlike the original dandy who was sort of self-made. 

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Looking through old posts I am interested in the connection we see from previous weeks to now... you can see how brummel, chuck bass, and anyone else portrayed as a "dandy" may even form a subculture themselves. By using their appearance and lifestyle they create a connection with others that share the same interests. This being said.. their consumption patterns inconspicuous or not, are a way of communicating... i'm starting to realize how everything and anything can connect! 

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Rupaul's Drag Race 

My question now becomes is this camp? or does he mean for it to be serious? This is my point of confusion because some may read this as just another reality tv show, with outrageous challenges and scripted drama, however some may read this as serious in the gay/lesbian/drag communities because it is exposing the culture in the mainstream and allowing people to understand and experience it.... 

so confused 

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Kitsch: the German word for trash. 

This "article" suggests the difference and ways of distinguishing between camp and kitsch it offers a neatly organized chart and everything! Please note I am not agreeing nor disagreeing what the comparison the individual makes. However that being said I still don't really understand the difference between kitsch and Camp. I think this confusion is stemming from the subjective nature of the terms. What may be kitschy to one may be considered camp to another

[questioningtaste-deactivated201]

Thorstein Veblen talked about conspicuous consumption in the 19th century, the ways in which the consumption of expensive goods under the assumption that expense in itself is meritorious. In a time where social status was of the utmost importance, showing off that status was even more important….

[thedistinctionoftaste-blog]

I would agree with you. Yes it is still relevant. Even if people who are rich are buying things without flashy logo’s, it is still obvious to a lot of people when a person has wealth. Perhaps what they wear is made of real silk, their handbags are real leather. Those who are in that lower middlebrow category often aspire to appear like they have money, sometimes this includes buying some with flashy logos, such as Nike inspired outfits, or bags with brands all over them. In either case, I think conspicuous consumption is to be looked at in a different way (especially with what you have noted of how if people can’t afford the real thing, they buy an imitation) but it is still relevant. 

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I have recently been engaging with a research article that discusses counterfeit merchandise and the effect it has on the consumers of the original products. The study was conducted in a two regions where counterfeiting brands like Louis Vuitton and Burberry are very popular. Through the research (conducted through interviews and further focus groups) they distinguished 3 groups of individuals. 1 (flight)- a group that after finding out counterfeits were being made completely abandoned the brand, 2nd (reclamation) who wanted to make it very clear they were the pioneers of that brand and should be rewarded as such, and 3rd (abranding) those who simply accepted the fact that they could not control the actions of others and therefore could not control the counterfeiting situation. The study yielded that as counterfeiting expands, the brands lose much of their original signal of authenticity and exclusivity therefore will force consumers to adopt either a flight, reclamation, and abranding attitude. 

In terms of conspicuous vs inconspicuous consumerism, I believe with the results of this study that we may see brands coming out with new ways to distinguish between the real and the counterfeit and make those strategies widely known in order to continue to be exclusive. In a world that is blending the social hierarchies I believe we may see retailers and trend setters re-distinguishing those hierarchies in order to create a sense of uniqueness. 

[alex4p34-blog]

Clifton Hill in the Falls is a prime example of kitsch capital. From shot glasses to snow globes to mugs and funny hats, it somehow becomes very important for tourists to prove their expedition to Niagara by buying a redundant souvenir, that will probably collect dust until it finds a place in the...

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After reading this I found myself thinking of my own possessions in the same way... however I am one to collect a t-shirt from everywhere I have been. This collection has accumulated over the years and takes up a great deal of space as I have ones from concerts, trips, gifts, etc. This being said where do we distinguish between a collection and kitsch? As stated, these items also mean something to me, they have sentimental value from my childhood and because of that I have used them in a variety of ways in my home, everything from framing my autographed ones, to creating a themed throw from the ones that I accumulated on trips. I am reminded of the article on sentimentality and art, does having a sentimental connection to something make it better or is it sill kitchy if it has meaning as well? 

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Going off of today's lecture.. I had to look up the dictionary definition of Kitsch. If one were to google Kitsch (I know this because I did) you would come across an array of images representing anything and everything people have used to create a kitschy environment! I am a firm believer in the fact that a person should be who they are so if you want hundreds of Elvis posters and memorabilia in your house go for it! who am I to judge? That being said after contemplating for much of the afternoon something just doesn't sit right with me when it comes to disaster kitsch. the concept itself makes light of the disaster, taking away from the true meaning.

My question is why, as a society, do we participate in it?