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MDA 10001 – Introduction to Media Studies

Tutorial Responses Portfolio

Lecturer: Mr. Ha Hai Lam.

Student name: Tong Thuc Uyen.

Date of submission: 26/12/2023

Adobe Portfolio: https://a105004599.myportfolio.com

Adobe Portfolio: https://a105004599.myportfolio.com/

WEEK 4

Part 1: What were 2 points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so?

There are two types of “digital users” which are “digital immigrants” and “digital natives”

(O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). Digital natives include people under twenty-five and between

twenty-five and forty age groups. They are the generation that has a direct relationship with

the Internet such as social media or video games, hence they are not afraid of the

technologies and use them as means of information, communication, and entertainment

(O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). Digital immigrants are the others whose majority are older

people even though they could use technologies (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016).

The concept of technological determinism implies that various media can lead to a range of

approaches to power and knowledge organization (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). To support

this claim, a few compelling instances of the effectiveness of print and contemporary media

have been supplied (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016).

Word Count: 140 words.

Part 2: What are hot and cool media?

In your own words, what does “technological determinism” mean?

Marshall McLuhan and Raymond Williams famously disagreed about the power of media

technology to shape society. What were their positions? Who do you agree with more?
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Cool and hot media are two terms introduced by media theorist Marshall McLuhan that refer

to the level of audience engagement. According to McLuhan (1964), "hot" media are high-

definition, low-participation media that provide a lot of information, while "cool" media are

low-definition, high-participation media that require the audience to fill in the gaps.

Television and film are examples of "hot" media, while comics and the telephone are

examples of "cool" media (Fink, 2022).

Technological determinism is a theory by Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929) that recommends

technology play an indispensable role in shaping the world including society, economy, and

culture (Adler, 2006). This term was inspired by Karl Marx which means that technology

could lead to multiple new ways of production in reality, and it fundamentally impacted the

culture, politics, and economy leading to society inevitably changing itself (Communication

Theory, 2018). The way that the internet has affected communication and the spread of

information is an illustration of technological determinism. To be more specific, the internet's

prevalent usage as technology has transformed how people interact, receive information, and

run businesses in numerous aspects of society (Hoehe & Thibaut, 2020).

Marshall McLuhan and Raymond Williams had different views on the power of the media

(Jones, 1998). On the one hand, McLuhan, who is accused of being a technological

determinist by Williams, believed that the message is delivered by the medium itself rather

than the content, and it can influence people's behaviors and opinions along with those of

society (McLuhan, 1964). In contrast, Williams argued that public perceptions of social

issues are shaped by the messages spread via various media and that media should be viewed

within broader socio-cultural and economic contexts rather than just the technological one

(Williams, 1966).

While McLuhan's ideas have been influential in media studies which is technological

determinism theory, Williams' framework of understanding for studying media is considered

more robust and veritable as it emphasizes the sociocultural and economic dimensions of

media, and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the role of media in shaping

public opinions and societal structures (Jones, 1998). Therefore, Williams' perspective is

often considered the better one due to its broader contextualization of media within society

and culture.

Word Count: 366 words.

REFERENCE

Adler, P. (2006). Technological Determinism.

https://faculty.marshall.usc.edu/Paul-Adler/research/revisingTechnological

%20Determinism.pdf

Communication Theory. (2018, April 23). Technological Determinism. Communication

Theory. https://www.communicationtheory.org/technological-determinism/

Fink, M. (2022). “Cool” Media Studies: McCloud, McLuhan, and the Popification of the

Humanities. Inks: The Journal of the Comics Studies Society, 6(3), 250–261.

https://doi.org/10.1353/ink.2022.0022

Hoehe, M. R., & Thibaut, F. (2020). Going digital: how technology use may influence human

brains and behavior. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(2), 93–97.

https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2020.22.2/mhoehe

Jones, P. (1998). The Technology is not the Cultural Form?: Raymond Williams’s

Sociological Critique of Marshall McLuhan. Canadian Journal of Communication, 23(4).

https://doi.org/10.22230/cjc.1998v23n4a1058

McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media. Sphere Books.

O'Shaughnessy, M., Stadler, J., & Casey, S. (2016). Media and society. Oxford University

Press.
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Williams, R. (1966). Reading and Criticism.

WEEK 5

Part 1: What were 2 points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so?

According to O’Shaughnessy (2016), the auteur theory is the theory that films are the creative

products of film directors and can be interpreted as their visions, marked by a distinct

signature style, which means that to understand the film, people must focus on the director as

the key figure.

There are two terms to distinguish the readers namely "inscribed reader" and "actual reader"

(O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). To be more concise, the inscribed reader is an ideal reader

created by the text or imagined/intended by the text's creators, whereas the actual reader is the

real flesh-and-blood person who perceives or reads texts (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016).

Word count: 107 words.

Part 2: In your own words, explain:

The difference between open and closed texts.

The three types of decoding Hall proposed.

Briefly describe a media text you engaged with recently and reflect on your reading

position in relation to it (using terms/ concepts from the lectures and readings in the unit

so far).

According to Hall’s model, there are two different types of text in the encoding process:

Open texts are dynamic and alive, allowing readers to decipher the text based on their
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particular cultural and mentalities, and closed texts are independent leading the reader to one

intended interpretation and are regarded as autonomous (Gupta, 2003).

Regarding decoding, there are three ways to interpret the media texts: Firstly,

dominant/preferred readings mean the spectators decode the media message in the same way

with intended meaning by dominant ideology and subjectivity (Shaw, 2017). Secondly,

negotiated readings mean the audiences still acquiesce in the dominant meaning but have

some critical thinking provoked by life situations (Hall and Morley, 2019). Finally,

oppositional/alternative readings are the way that the receivers’ social situation and

consciousness make them oppose the intended ideology of the text (Shaw, 2017).

The recent image is in the “Downfall” campaign created in 2017 by Blue Cross - a health

organization (Ads of the World, n.d.). It illustrates a man drinking alcohol, and the alcohol as

a downfall washes his family away. In the right-top corner of the texts, there is a message:

“An alcoholic doesn’t only harm himself” and the logo of Blue Cross. Applying Hall’s

model, my positioning is dominant readings, which means I believe that addiction is a family

disease as it harms not only themselves but also their partners and children. The image of

juxtaposition to the terror seen in his wife and child and the texts are extremely convincing.

Word count: 248 words.

REFERENCE

Ads of the World. (n.d.). Blaues Kreuz: Downfall - Woman, Downfall - Man • Ads of the

WorldTM | Part of The Clio Network. Ads of the WorldTM.

https://www.adsoftheworld.com/campaigns/downfall-woman

Gupta, S. (2003). A Thought about Open and Closed Texts. Re-Reading Harry Potter, 29–32.

https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403918390_5
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Hall, S. & Morley, D. 2019. Essential Essays, Volume 1 : Foundations of Cultural Studies,

Durham, UNITED STATES, Duke University Press.

O'Shaughnessy, M., Stadler, J., & Casey, S. (2016). Media and society. Oxford University

Press.

Shaw, A. (2017). Encoding and decoding affordances: Stuart Hall and interactive media

technologies. Media, Culture & Society, 39(4), 592–602.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443717692741
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WEEK 6

Part 1: What were 2 points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so?

O’Shaughnessy (2016) defines patriarchy as a social structure in which the father or a male

figure is the dominant figure and descent is based on the male line. Patriarchy arrives itself in

two ways: through lineage (children are named after their father's family name rather than

their mother's); and through legal and political institutions that, while no longer exclusively

male, have developed as male institutions (O’Shaughnessy, 2016). Masculine power as well

as authority dominate social, political, and economic institutions, oppressing women

(O’Shaughnessy, 2016).

“The others" is a significant term in media and cultural studies to characterize the oppositions

which can be everything (black–white, or East–West) (O’Shaughnessy, 2016). This term is

especially used to highlight the political nature of such opposition instead of a

straightforward description (O’Shaughnessy, 2016).

Word count: 127 words.

Part 2:

Why is it important for mainstream media to represent diverse humans?

To what extent do mainstream media have an “obligation” to present diversity?

Does there need to be certain types of representation in mainstream media? Why so?

Illustrate your points with specific examples of media texts.

Human diversity’s representation plays a significant role in reflecting society, which helps

people against stereotypes and prejudices, promotes understanding about economic, or racial

issues, and empathy for other people (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). Moreover, it can

empower individuals from marginalized groups by giving them a voice (Kaltzada, 2018).

Mainstream media’s obligation to present diversity is complex depending on the social

ideologies and social categories namely sex (sex, sex orientation, and gender); environment

and geographical location; age; race and religion; class; and handicap/disability

(O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). Besides, other factors such as ethnicity are also complicated

and can be impacted (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016).

Having particular representation types in mainstream media is important because many texts

may differ across contexts based on cultural, regional, and individual perspectives on what

constitutes fair and accurate (O’Shaughnessy et al., 2016). Those certain types could be

powerful influences for the groups they represented, especially underrepresented groups as

they could destroy stereotypes by positively portraying them in the media (O’Shaughnessy et

al., 2016).

An example of this term is the “Dove Real Beauty Pledge” campaign. This campaign from

Dove illustrates many different naturally beautiful, confident girls of diverse sexes, ages,

appearances, classes, beliefs, and nationality and “We do real care so you can do real beauty”

text to inspire people to break the narrow beauty stereotypes and strengthen women’s self-

confidence (Dove, 2004). This media text represents the diversity of women by putting many

different women in different contexts and amplifying their voices to break the stereotypes.

Word count: 250 words.

REFERENCE
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Dove. (2004). Breaking down narrow beauty stereotypes. Dove UK.

https://www.dove.com/uk/stories/about-dove/breaking-down-narrow-beauty-stereotypes.html

Kaltzada, P. (2018). Why diversity in media matters.

https://ideasforeurope.eu/news/diversity-and-media

O'Shaughnessy, M., Stadler, J., & Casey, S. (2016). Media and society. Oxford University

Press.
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WEEK 7

Part 1: What were 2 points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so?

Social media changes parasocial interaction into multi-social interaction, making the fan-

celebrity relationship more real and less fictitious (Robert Van Krieken, 2018, pp. 179–198).

For instance, Twitter has transformed celebrity culture beyond recognition as individuals can

observe a celebrity's daily life and interact directly with them without strict management

control (Robert Van Krieken, 2018, pp. 179–198). This means that a celebrity's image is less

about a fixed collection of features and more about a shifting and organic performance in

which the audience is allowed to participate (Robert Van Krieken, 2018, pp. 179–198).

Micro-celebrity is a type of celebrity production process characterized by self-promotional

practices (Senft, 2008, as cited in Robert Van Krieken, 2018, pp. 179–198). This is a new

type of online performance where they promote their personal branding on social media by

working frequently to nurture their relationship with their audience (Senft, 2008, as cited in

Robert Van Krieken, 2018, pp. 179–198).

Word count: 157 words.

Part 2: What impact do celebrities have on how you understand society and yourself?

Choose a celebity text (eg a magazine cover) and briefly describe it i.e.a denotation. Briefly

analyze this text taking:An ideological approach and a political economy approach.

Celebrities who represent and embody the values, identities, and ideologies have a significant

impact on society including public opinion, social change, and political or cultural aspects
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(Chu et al., 2021; Kim, 2013; Zhao & Ni, 2020). Moreover, it also affects individual

behaviors and mindsets (Dagne, 2019; Zhong & Yu, 2023). This kind of impact is a one-

sided relationship or parasocial relationship as the audiences are affected by celebrities

although celebrities are unaware of their appearance (Reyes et al., 2016).

An attractive celebrity text is Suboi on L’Officiel Vietnam Magazine Cover in November

2020. To evoke a sense of depth or intrigue, and pull the viewer into Suboi's world, the image

depicts her signature bold hairstyle with dramatic eyeliner and shimmering eyeshadow.

Suboi's powerful presence draws attention and establishes the tone for the issue in the fancy

black and red background inspired by a futuristic cityscape. Moreover, there are Chanel items

and the text "CRUISIN' ROUGE" on the magazine cover which represents a slang term for

flirting or seeking romantic encounters.

In the ideological approach, Suboi who is an Asian girl faced many problems such as gender,

national origin, or class discrimination (Ghuman, 2001; Gonick, 2007). She also is a rapper

which has a lot of challenges (Khanjani, 2019). However, with her success in her career

which got numerous awards and an opportunity to rap for Obama, and her confidence, she

embodies an influential message of individuality, self-expression, and pursuing one's goals.

She embodies the spirit of the new wave of Vietnamese creatives who aren't afraid to break

down ideology barriers and go against the grain.

In terms of the political economy approach, Suboi is successful in making money for the

brands. The first brand is L’Officiel Vietnam Magazine, they use Suboi's image to earn

money by selling her symbols, ideologies, and inspiration. The second one is Chanel as they

can attract Suboi’s fans to empower the uniqueness of the products and push their brand by

Suboi’s personal branding.

Word count: 326 words.

REFERENCE

Chu, M., Li, H., Lin, S., Cai, X., Li, X., Chen, S.-H., Zhang, X., Man, Q., Lee, C.-Y., &

Chiang, Y.-C. (2021). Appropriate Strategies for Reducing the Negative Impact of Online

Reports of Suicide and Public Opinion From Social Media in China. Frontiers in Public

Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.756360

Dagne, A. (2019). School of Commerce College of Business and Economics Department of

Marketing. Management, THE INFLUENCE OF CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT BRAND

ADVERTISING ON CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOR: The Case of Commercial Bank

of Ethiopia.

Ghuman, P.A. (2001). Self-identity Issues of South Asian Young People in Australian

Schools. Australian Journal of Education, 45, 48 - 61.

Gonick, M. (2007). Girl Number 20 revisited: feminist literacies in new hard times. Gender

and Education, 19(4), 433–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540250701442625

Khanjani, M. (2019). Voicing the Subaltern and Inspiring Change: Critical Discourse

Analysis of the Autobiographical Song by the First Iranian Female Rapper.

Kim, M. (2013). The American Gaze at the American Gays: Interest Groups, Media, and the

Elite Opinions’ Impact on Public Opinion.

Reyes, M.E., Santiago, A.G., Domingo, A.J., Lichingyao, E.N., Onglengco, M.N., &

McCutcheon, L.E. (2016). Fandom: Exploring the Relationship between Mental Health and

Celebrity Worship among Filipinos. North American Journal of Psychology, 18, 307.

Robert Van Krieken. (2018). Celebrity society : the struggle for attention (pp. 179–198).

Routledge.

Zhao, S., & Ni, C. (2020). Expanded Participant Network: Digital Fan Activism Transformed

into the Economic and Political Sphere in China.

Zhong, X., Wang, J., & Yu, X. (2023). Internet celebrities, public opinions and food system

change in China: a new conceptual framework. International Food and Agribusiness

Management Review.
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WEEK 8

Part 1: What were two points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so?

Davis and Moore have an argument in "Some Principles of Stratification" about equal

opportunities in a democracy where positions are available for talent and equitable access to

health care and education (Van Krieken et al., 2017). This argument is significant because

this system is effective and equitable, and it improves the welfare of society as well as

reflects general assumptions about the meritocracy’s function in modern democracy (Van

Krieken et al., 2017).

Another interesting point is cultural capital. Bourdieu (1986, pp. 241–257) points out that

there are three types of cultural capital concepts namely embodied state, objectified state, and

institutionalized state. The original goal of cultural capital was to explain the unequal

educational achievement among children from different social classes in order to break the

assumptions underlying both common sense and human capital theories, which see academic

success or failure as a result of natural aptitudes (Bourdieu, 1986, pp. 241–257).

Word count: 150 words.

Part 2: What is your current favorite television show?What is it about it that makes it

good?Why do you like it?Is there a context where it would be considered “good taste” and

another where it would be considered “bad taste”? Give specific examples

My favorite TV show recently is Mask Girl which is a K-drama about an office worker - a

person insecure about her appearance and becomes a masked singer - a celebrity by night.

Mask Girl is not only an entertaining series but also a thought-provoking drama that reflects

many social issues. Concisely, it shows the role of identity and self-acceptance when the

main character changes her persona to avoid appearance judgment. It explores the social

media's effect on people's perception when showing the positive and negative aspects of the

main actress’s life when using social media. This show also raises questions about the ethics

of deception and the importance of honesty and resilience. Overall, "Mask Girl" gives a sense

of “good taste” by those features.

As Gen Z who lives in the digital era, people are facing many troubles when using social

media such as sexting, privacy concerns, and negative impacts on mental health (Gupta et al.,

2022; Mayo Clinic Staff, 2022; Vogels et al., 2022). Hence, this series, which reflects these

social issues and has a close relationship with youngsters, became a top TV series recently

(Hicap, 2023).

Mask Girl is considered to have “good taste”, but it also could bring “bad taste” because, to

reflect society, this series contains numerous crime scenes and negative aspects of society.

Hence, it can lead to aggression, anxiety, and fear in some people instead of entertainment; or

increase the risk of violent audience behavior (Anderson & Bushman, 2002; Oliver &

DiMaggio, 2003)

Word count: 246 words.

REFERENCE

Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2002). The influence of media violence on youth.

Psychological Science, 13(4), 187-193.

Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and

research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–257). Greenwood Press.

Gupta, C., Jogdand, Dr. S., & Kumar, M. (2022). Reviewing the Impact of Social Media on

the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults. Cureus, 14(10).

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30143

Hicap, J. (2023, August 30). Korean series “Mask Girl” rises to No. 1 spot; “Destined with

You” debuts on Netflix’s Global Top 10. Manila Bulletin.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/29/korean-series-mask-girl-rises-to-no-1-spot-destined-with-you-

debuts-on-netflix-s-global-top-10

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, February 26). Teens and Social Media use: What’s the impact?

Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-

social-media-use/art-20474437

Oliver, J. R., & DiMaggio, P. C. (2003). Risky media exposure and youth violence:

Exploring the links between violent media and risky behaviors. In: R. J. DiMaggio, A. M.

Neal, & J. D. Stern (Eds.), The social implications of computer use (pp. 187-231). Mahwah,

NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Van Krieken, R., Habibis, D., Hutchins, B., Martin, G., Maton, K. & Smith, P. (2017). Class

and inequality: Pierre Bourdieu: class and culture. Sociology (pp. 216-217). Pearson

Australia.

Vogels, E. A., Gelles-Watnick, R., & Massarat, N. (2022, August 10). Teens, Social Media

and Technology 2022. PEW Research Center.

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/
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WEEK 9

Part 1: What were 2 points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so?

According to Gitelman (2007), the media is not a neutral source of information because it is a

historical subject that shapes people's perceptions of the past. Media technologies and

practices are not fixed but are constantly evolving and changing, so the way that people

represent and interpret the past is also always changing (Gitelman, 2007).

Gitelman (2007) also discusses the crucial value of recognizing the materialistic nature of

media technologies, which means that people should devote attention to the physical form of

media objects in order to understand how they influence the way people produce, consume,

and interpret information. The invention of the printing press, for example, had a significant

impact on the way individuals consumed and comprehended texts (Gitelman, 2007).

Word count: 121 words.

Part 2: Do we want the media to disappear? Why/ why not?

When is realism not the goal of particular texts?

In your own words, describe what is meant by media convergence.

What are some specific examples of converged media that you have engaged with lately?

In the digital era, media plays a significant part in society (Chandler-Olcott & Hinchman,

2017; Livingstone, 1999). It impacts people’s perceptions, behaviors, and adaptation (Briggs
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& Burke, 2002; McQuail, 2010). On the one hand, due to its importance such as being a

means of entertainment/communication or changing society in political, ethical, historical, or

educational aspects, people do not want the media to disappear (Bryant & Finklea, 2022;

Bryant & Miron, 2002; Perse & Lambe, 2016; Potter, 2012; Siddiqui & Singh, 2016). In

contrast, some people might hope the media to appear as it contains many negative content

such as violence or fake news that directly impacts life; or it can make people addicted

leading to decreasing interaction and connections (Allcott & Gentzkow, 2017; Anderson &

Bushman, 2002; Siddiqui & Singh, 2016).

The term "realism" refers to the process of developing a representation of the world that is

recognized as true and authentic through utilizing direct access to reality (Biswas, 2021).

Realism is not the goal of particular texts when an author wants to achieve an entirely distinct

outcome or evoke a different message in the audience than a realistic representation of the

world. For instance, science fiction films such as The Matrix (1999), which frequently depict

futuristic technology, extraterrestrial life forms, and other elements, aim to explore

possibilities rather than to be realistic or follow realism (Sorensen, 2021). Another example is

fables with symbolized objects, talking animals, and other supernatural components that are

not intended to be realistic; instead, they're meant to spark people's imaginations and

creativity (Mandeville, 2018).

Media convergence is a multifaceted concept including technology, economy, organization,

and institution that refers to the transmission of content among various media platforms, the

association between different media industries, and the audiences’ migratory behavior who

seek various entertainment experiences (Соколов, 2023; Mansell, 2016; Yin, 2014). It is

influenced by the development of digital technologies and the internet, which require media

to have new models to adapt to the seamless integration of different communication

platforms (Mansell, 2016).

There are some media convergence devices that I have used recently namely smartphones

and voice assistants. More precisely, smartphones are converged media because they

combine typical media, such as text messaging and phone calls, with a plethora of other

Internet apps. Additionally, virtual assistants, such as Siri, have been integrated into a variety

of devices, helping users to interact with the technology, control media playback, access

information, and communicate hands-free.

Word count: 397 words.

REFERENCE

Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election.

Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 211-236.

Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2002). The influence of media violence on youth.

Psychological Science, 13(4), 187-193.

Biswas, M. (2021). Realism. BioScope: South Asian Screen Studies, 12(1-2), 158–161.

https://doi.org/10.1177/09749276211026084

Briggs, J., & Burke, C. (2002). Media: An introduction to mass communication (3rd ed.).

Routledge.

Соколов, А. В. (2023). TO THE PROBLEM OF DEFINITION OF THE TERM “MEDIA

CONVERGENCE.” Вестник Тверского государственного университета. Серия:

Филология, 1(76), 180–184. https://doi.org/10.26456/vtfilol/2023.1.180

Gitelman, L. (2007). Introduction: Media as historical subjects. In L. Gitelman (Ed.), Always

already new: Media, history, and the data of culture (pp. 1-20). Princeton University Press.

Livingstone, S. (1999). Beyond the broadcasting monopoly: The changing structure and

impact of media in the digital age. In P. Couldry & N. Jacks (Eds.), Critical media studies

(pp. 11-22). Routledge.

Mandeville, B. (2018). The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits.

Mansell, R. (2016). Media Convergence Policy Issues. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of

Communication. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.62

McQuail, S. (2010). Mass communication theory (6th ed.). Sage.

Sorensen, E.P. (2021). Science Fiction Film.

Yin, C. (2014). Definition and Implications of Media Convergence. Journal of Beijing

University of Posts and Telecommunications.

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Definition-and-Implications-of-Media-Convergence-

Yin/a3e1af1ae87121aa2b8ab8298d68df09bedc3b9d
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WEEK 10

Part 1: What is an “ authentic”/ original piece of art have you seen?

Did you have an “aura” as Benjamin claims? How so/ why so?

Can contemporary digital media creations have an aura? Why or why not?

I observed the “Mother” statue of Nguyen Hoang Huy in the War Remnants Museum last

month. It is made from bomb fragments and represents the dedication, compassion, and

forgiveness of Vietnamese mothers in wartime. The sharp fragments of bombs that once

destroyed the country now are the material for making the statue of Vietnamese people with

unbroken spirits. People can feel the “aura” of the statue as the weight of authentic history

and uniqueness.

There is a debate about an aura in contemporary digital media creations. On the one hand,

contemporary digital pieces of art which might lack physicality have a sense of “aura”

because they can evoke uniqueness, authenticity, and presence for the audiences through their

cultural, historical, and emotional significance (Benjamin, 1935; Berry & Keep, 2015;

Bozkanat, 2022; Schepen & Randall, 2019). On the contrary, Benjamin (1935) argues that an

“aura” could be lost in the age of mechanical reproduction. Overall, although the response

depends on personal interpretation because some people might be more sensitive to the aura

of digital media while others might prefer traditional art forms, it is clear that digital media

has an aura based on its potential to create powerful and meaningful experiences.

Word count: 197 words.

Part 2: In your own words, define “Modernism”.

What did some people think were the problems with modernism?

How is modernism still with us today? Give specific examples.

A cultural and artistic movement known as modernism first appeared in the late 19th and

early 20th centuries encompassing various forms of art, literature, and architecture (Faulkner,

2013). It is characterized by a rejection of traditional styles and frequent application of

innovative techniques and ideas (Brown, 2018).

Due to Taylorism, also known as scientific management, labor becomes repeatable and

precise, yet monotonous and skill-reducing nature of work in the context of modernism

(Brown, 2018). Moreover, modernism was criticized for its use of discord in modernist

music, the absence of coherent storylines in films and books, and the challenge of

understanding poetry (Communication Theory, 2015).

Modernism nowadays exists in a variety of mediums, including film, music, architecture, and

literature, and it shapes people’s thoughts about aesthetics, form, and meaning (McIntyre

2022). In the era of modern art, Anfam (2010) shows a remarkable example of modernism's

lasting effect is the continued relevance of abstraction in contemporary art. To be more

specific, The Autumn Rhythm: Number 30 by Jackson Pollock in the early 1940s is an

example of modernist art because the pieces are an illustration of his personal feelings as well

as a reflection of modern life. (The Art Story, n.d).

Word count: 200 words.

REFERENCE

Anfam, D. (2010). The art of abstraction: The twentieth-century avant-garde and its legacy.

Thames & Hudson.

Benjamin, W. (1935). The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. Illuminations

(pp. 219-253). Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Berry, M., & Keep, D. (2015). Auratic presence through slow media.

Bozkanat, E. (2022). IF WALTER BENJAMIN EXPERIENCED NFT: REVIEWING

CRYPTO ART THROUGH HIS EYES. Moment Journal.

Brown, R. (2018, December 20). What is Modernism Becoming in the Postmodern. Semantic

Scholar. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/What-is-Modernism-Becoming-in-the-

Postmodern-Brown/1e7cc7bbc3a0966c4ec9873a0717be54ca16a9ae

Faulkner, P. (2013). Modernism (routledge revivals). Taylor & Francis Group.

McIntyre, J. (2022). ‘Lecture 10: Authenticity and media’. MDA10001 Introduction to

media studies. Learning materials via Canvas. Swinburne University of Technology.

Schepen, V., & Randall, K.A. (2019). Contemporary Misticism: Recovering Sensible

Aesthetics in an Age of Digital Production. Religions.

The Art Story. (n.d.). Abstract Art - Modern Art Terms and Concepts. The Art Story.

https://www.theartstory.org/definition/abstract-art/
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WEEK 11

Part 1: What were 2 points from this week’s reading that stood out to you as particularly

important and/or interesting? Why so

According to McRobbie (2003), postmodernism is more than just an opposition against

modernity; it is a multifaceted and ambiguous phenomenon with both positive and negative

implications for popular culture. Postmodernism has resulted in the growth of new and hybrid

forms of cultural expression, yet it also led to the breakdown and commercialization of

popular culture (McRobbie, 2003).

The media and the fashion industry have appropriated postmodernism (McRobbie, 2003).

McRobbie (2003) figures out that these industries have used postmodernism to promote their

financial objectives, frequently in ways that are damaging to popular culture, and it is critical

to be critical about the way postmodernism is used to develop new methods for

comprehending and using popular culture.

Word count: 115 words.

Part 2: Choose one of your favourite postmodern media texts and explain the way in which

it is postmodernWhat are the reasons you like this text?

Do these reasons include its postmodern characteristics? Why/why not/ how so?

My favorite postmodernism text is Forrest Gump - an American comedy-drama film from

1994. It demonstrates several postmodernism characteristics, including a rejection of grand

narratives because, rather than following a traditional linear narrative structure, it was told

from Forrest Gump's point of view to reflect the postmodern view of reality (Lyotard, 1984).
28

The way an individual's experience shapes their understanding of the world demonstrates

skepticism of objective truth (Derrida, 1973). It also employs comedic and ironic techniques

to challenge conventional notions of heroism, history, and culture (Harvey, 1989).

I am addicted to that movie because it combines fiction and reality by inserting Forrest Gump

into historical events using digital manipulation, implying that the past is not fixed and can be

reinterpreted. It demonstrates how Forrest Gump's innocence is frequently contrasted with the

more skeptical and complex world around him. Furthermore, the film honors marginalized

groups in society, such as Forrest Gump, and its ending is ambiguous and open-ended,

leaving the viewer wondering about Forrest Gump's life. Those intriguing aspects of the film

that I discovered are also some postmodernist themes (Featherstone, 1991).

Overall, Forrest Gump is a complicated and challenging film that can be interpreted in a

variety of ways. Its postmodern elements contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a

film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Word count: 217 words.

REFERENCE

Derrida, J. (1973). Speech and phenomena: And other essays on Husserl's theory of signs.

Northwestern University Press.

Featherstone, M. (1991). Consumer Culture and Postmodernism.

Harvey, D. (1989). The condition of postmodernity: An inquiry into the origins of cultural

change. Blackwell.

Lyotard, J.-F. (1984). The postmodern condition: A report on knowledge. University of

Minnesota Press.
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McRobbie, A. (2003). Introduction. In A. McRobbie (Ed.), Postmodernism and popular

culture (pp. 1-10). Routledge.