Fetishising, Romanticising, Fantasising, Appropriating, Mythologising
Is cultural memory reformed through cinematic and musical culture?
In the clip above I have played Vietnam, a protest song by Jimmy Cliff, over the top of Vietnam documentary footage, some of which depicts starving civilians. While issues of ethics arose when pairing the music and footage, the intention is to involve depictions of the undesirable and repressed aspects of a war which is often remembered with a sentimental fondness. While the lyrics tell the story of a young man’s death being relayed to friends and family, the repetitional lyrics and upbeat rhythm lend a celebratory and nostalgic lens through which to view the footage.
Using more contemporary footage prompted by a “Decade in Photos” supplement, I have set destructive and violent images to the sounds of four tracks by popular UK musicians laid over each other. I like that their competition to be heard results in something violent and chaotic. Our experience of world events through media that also entertain must confuse our sense of reality and therefore how we remember.
calummartin 