Is Nudity In Music Videos Artistic?

Mister Majik · 07-05-2013, 07:49 PM

You see nothing.

Burning Down · 07-05-2013, 09:55 PM

It's all about context, I think.

I'm not a huge fan of Alanis Morissette but I like this song and the video that goes with it:

Her being naked here is really an understatement, though, as I think the nudity is really an allegory that represents how naked and exposed the lyrics make her.

Astronomer · 07-05-2013, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

It's all about context, I think.

I'm not a huge fan of Alanis Morissette but I like this song and the video that goes with it:

Her being naked here is really an understatement, though, as I think the nudity is really an allegory that represents how naked and exposed the lyrics make her.

I like that video clip/song, too BD

I definitely think it's all about context. The nudity in that Morissette clip is clearly not objectifying to women. The Thicke and Timberlake clips are a little different... however I guess the JT clip is a little more tasteful than Straight Lines, which I utterly hate.

CanwllCorfe · 07-05-2013, 10:43 PM

I agree with the others. Context, context, context. I think it all depends on what they try to do with the nudity. It could be almost purely sexual, suggestive or erotic, humorous, or symbolic. You can tie it to freedom, maybe tie it to a feeling of vulnerability, or perhaps in some weird avante garde way that you just wouldn't understand.

I think there will always be an element of sexuality, which is kind of unavoidable since it's rooted in our basest instincts, and even then I still think you could tap into that and still pull something off without being flagrant or tasteless. And to be honest, I haven't seen all that much nudity in music videos, outside of a Matt & Kim one I saw ages ago. I'm just saying things.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 07-05-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanwllCorfe

I agree with the others. Context, context, context. I think it all depends on what they try to do with the nudity. It could be almost purely sexual, suggestive or erotic, humorous, or symbolic. You can tie it to freedom, maybe tie it to a feeling of vulnerability, or perhaps in some weird avante garde way that you just wouldn't understand.

I think there will always be an element of sexuality, which is kind of unavoidable since it's rooted in our basest instincts, and even then I still think you could tap into that and still pull something off without being flagrant or tasteless. And to be honest, I haven't seen all that much nudity in music videos, outside of a Matt & Kim one I saw ages ago. I'm just saying things.

I think you and others are making very good points about context.

Lambertwhite · 07-05-2013, 11:18 PM

Well it's what people wanna see..they like nudity around them so these artists are taking advantage of that fact..they make more money and your craving for " " is also curbed..so i guess it is a two way thing and not to be much worried of...

The Batlord · 07-06-2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rageangel132

Nudity can be artistic if it's done tastefully and with class. I'm not saying it can't be offensive. Some people just can't handle seeing someone bare it all. I agree with Lateralus that most music videos with nudity tend to objectify women. They serve more as stimulating eye candy instead of three-dimensional characters.

I don't see why objectifying women necessarily has to be degrading and sexist. If a girl did it to me I'd be damn flattered. Granted, much of this time it is sexist, but I think it's ridiculous to say that objectification is always sexist or wrong.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 07-06-2013, 11:34 AM

The music industry has been using sex to sell records for decades. If you get offended by that then be offended about that as a concept, not just about one gender and not the other.

Nurse Duckett · 07-06-2013, 12:17 PM

I watched the vids on this thread and i don't see how any of them could be classed as artistic. All three are vids for second/third rate pop stars that will be instantly forgotten as soon as their hype machine stops, the naked people in the vids aren't there for artistic reasons, they're there for cheap publicity.

I'm a little bit surprised that anyone could be dumb enough to think there was any genuine attempt at being artistic.

The lower league, bottom feeder type pop stars will all be at it soon, Gaga will be next.

If the songs good you don't need naked people in the video, its pretty much as simple as that isn't it.

I wasn't offended in any way by any of it, i just saw it for what it is, a cheap way of promoting your new substandard single.

Paul Smeenus · 07-06-2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

It's all about context, I think.

I'm not a huge fan of Alanis Morissette but I like this song and the video that goes with it:

Her being naked here is really an understatement, though, as I think the nudity is really an allegory that represents how naked and exposed the lyrics make her.

I liked that video too, although I also saw it as AM was meeting her God, as it were

07-05-2013, 10:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
CanwllCorfe Quiet Man in the Corner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pocono Mountains Posts: 2,480	I agree with the others. Context, context, context. I think it all depends on what they try to do with the nudity. It could be almost purely sexual, suggestive or erotic, humorous, or symbolic. You can tie it to freedom, maybe tie it to a feeling of vulnerability, or perhaps in some weird avante garde way that you just wouldn't understand. I think there will always be an element of sexuality, which is kind of unavoidable since it's rooted in our basest instincts, and even then I still think you could tap into that and still pull something off without being flagrant or tasteless. And to be honest, I haven't seen all that much nudity in music videos, outside of a Matt & Kim one I saw ages ago. I'm just saying things. __________________ Your eyes were never yet let in to see the majesty and riches of the mind, but dwell in darkness; for your God is blind.

07-05-2013, 11:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
Lambertwhite Groupie Join Date: May 2013 Location: new york Posts: 16	Well it's what people wanna see..they like nudity around them so these artists are taking advantage of that fact..they make more money and your craving for " " is also curbed..so i guess it is a two way thing and not to be much worried of... __________________ .

07-06-2013, 11:34 AM	#18 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	The music industry has been using sex to sell records for decades. If you get offended by that then be offended about that as a concept, not just about one gender and not the other. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

07-05-2013, 07:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mister Majik Groupie Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1	You see nothing.

07-05-2013, 09:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	It's all about context, I think. I'm not a huge fan of Alanis Morissette but I like this song and the video that goes with it: Her being naked here is really an understatement, though, as I think the nudity is really an allegory that represents how naked and exposed the lyrics make her.

07-06-2013, 12:17 PM	#19 (permalink)
Nurse Duckett Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 148	I watched the vids on this thread and i don't see how any of them could be classed as artistic. All three are vids for second/third rate pop stars that will be instantly forgotten as soon as their hype machine stops, the naked people in the vids aren't there for artistic reasons, they're there for cheap publicity. I'm a little bit surprised that anyone could be dumb enough to think there was any genuine attempt at being artistic. The lower league, bottom feeder type pop stars will all be at it soon, Gaga will be next. If the songs good you don't need naked people in the video, its pretty much as simple as that isn't it. I wasn't offended in any way by any of it, i just saw it for what it is, a cheap way of promoting your new substandard single.