On Madonna comparisons and postmodernism
In light of that incredible Telephone video analysis, and I apologise if I’m not coherent enough for the critics, or accessible enough for everyone else…
Lady Gaga is undoubtedly postmodern; that is, there’s not necessarily an objective “truth” to her work. Her art is what we make of it - most recently, the meat dress, which was not so much a statement about anything as yet another thing in a long line of things for the public to discuss. (Though her lyrics are straightforward, and that’s probably a good thing.)
I’ve always thought one major difference between her and Madonna is that - despite the likes of the book Madonna as Postmodern Myth that’s sitting on my desk - Madonna is a modernist. Even a work as complex as the Like a Prayer video has a clear sense of intent (if numerous messages); that she could both raise and evoke a myriad number of associations whilst anticipating just about all of them was a testament to her ever-underrated abilities. Making it so open to interpretation was virtually an artform in itself, but there was always a single “correct”, unifying explanation. (Just like Inception, there’s a truth: the whole movie was NOT a dream; you’re drawing inferences Nolan never implied and you’re WRONG!!!)
If you’re under 25, WATCH THIS VIDEO. You might learn something, especially if you’re a rabid Gaga fan. And read this if you feel like it.
What I wrote above is not a judgement of one vs. the other - but on a personal level, as an artist, I’d prefer to provoke my audience, but not confuse just about everyone at the same time as Gaga does, including the converted!
