Stereotyping

For my last blog task I had to watch a series of videos and critique one of them. My chosen video was Katy Perry singing Unconditionally dressed as a Geisha for the American Music Awards. A Geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainer. In my opinion this video displayed the most controversy, Katy one of the biggest pop stars of the moment was representing the Japanese culture, in what could be argued as a racist way. The culture was stereotyped in a number of ways including, the fashion, makeup, colours, hair, set design, the music and props.

What are the problematic representations they reinforce or wish to break down?

To some viewers (but not all) the stereotyping that is represented could be seen as problematic and wrong. This is due to the fact that Katy is dressed as a typical Geisha from head to toe, wearing hair and makeup. Personally I find the hair and makeup of her costume the biggest issue here, as she is actually wanting to look like another race, with black and powdered white face. The fashion side of the performance I don't see as such a big deal as Kimonos were very popular in the spring/summer of last year in Britain; which was however developed from traditional dress in Japan. The Kimono is a non sensitive way of designing, however wanting to look like another race for a music performance is a sensitive design which I don't agree with. Similarly, The Turkish Bath House painted by Ingres in 1863 features Turkish females bathing who are all painted as white; this was done to make the viewer satisfied with the women within the painting. At the time the white women were superior over the orient. However this is so politically incorrect today, although this is essentially what Katy has done by visually made herself look Japanese. 

What issues are highlighted?

Another key issue that is addressed in the video is femininity and sexuality. A stereotypical Geisha is known for entertaining males and as Katy Perry is dressed as one, we can only assume she has similar ideas too. Her dress has a very high thigh split which some may say is provocative and doesn't leave much to the imagination. However this is the theme that most female pop stars go for in todays media. Edward W Said, believed that the Eastern world was weak, the object, the other and represents femininity; whereas the West was a culture of masculinity, the self, strong and the subject. The culture divides are represented in the video, as the stage design has lots of floral elements, feminine colours, lots of beauty and costume. Katy and the dancers flirt around on stage with traditional Orient fans and umbrellas. These themselves are stereotypes and Katy is emphasising the sensuality of the Japanese culture. It could also be suggested that by impersonating as a American and by exaggerating the culture that Katy is trying to improve the reality of the Orient. This idea is due to the fact that the show is theatrical and that Edward W Said believed that the European is the powerful. In history the West had the power over the Eastern world.

Why is this video not harmless?

It could be argued that this video is just art expressed by an artist who is interested in another culture which Katy does not belong to. When I stereotype my East culture I think of miserable weather, and jeans for our fashion; this creates a very contrasting image. Perhaps Katy was only exploring the unknown to her in a very theatrical style, after all it is exaggerated performances which make the press. Edward S also believed that by imaging the Orient divides the world into West and East. The West identifies itself by contrast to the orient. It is very unlikely that she would have even considered that her work could possibly offend people due to the fact that the costumes, staging and makeup were beautiful but when I realised she was mimicking a culture this then made me upset. Although we have to just accept that everything in todays world is stereotyped such as movies, the media and clearly music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXqcjgX-I9E

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Music/News/2013/11/28/Katy-Perrys-geishathemed-performance-is-not-offensive/

Said, E. W. (1995). Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient. 1978.Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin.