Has Gaga gone Gaga?

Art. As Dictonary.com states, is “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” (Webster). Although the textbook definition is rather simple, Art is an exceedingly difficult matter to define. A few general truths about Art- It should evoke an emotion, and it should be attractive to the eye. Art is an expression, it is personal, and what one person finds extraordinary someone else finds hideous. But how far is too far? When does art cross over from provocative, expressive, powerful, to vulgar, crude, and over the top? How can we detect the very grey line that breaks art from porn.

Over my next few blogs, I’ll explore different artists, what’s acceptable about their work, what isn’t, and why.  This week’s topic…Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga, the most powerful pop icon since Madonna. Strutting her fire-charged bustier, her vulgar dance moves, and practically non-existing body suits, she has grown to become one of the most innovative and powerful artists in society.

            MTV’s Mawuse Ziegbe did a poll about teenagers’ opinions of Lady Gaga, her music videos, and if her art has crossed into the realm of indecency. One student, Chad Tolentino, stated, ‘"I don't know what to really say because that's really over-the-top for me, first she's dressed in a nun's outfit, then she's on a bed with some dude on top of her. Well, I guess it's kinda normal for her.”’ (Mawuse Paragraph 3) Technically, she evokes emotion, and forms to the definition of art, using costumes, dances, and sets to create something pleasing to the eye. But can this be considered art? In my opinion, I think not. I believe human beings are easy to spark some type of emotion from, and that there should be more to art than putting crude content into our already corrupted society.

·         Ziegbe, Mawuse. "Does Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro' Video Go Too Far? - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV." New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Top Stories | MTV. 09 June 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.

·         "Art | Define Art at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 13 Oct. 2010. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art>.