Despite there being some research into the medium of music video, particularly from the fields of Psychology, Sociology and Media Studies, there is an absence of viewing music video with its ability to construct cultural memory. Cultural memory being the way in which we construct a version of the past for the purpose of remembering. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to consider how music video can construct cultural memory through its various components. With this understanding, the case study analysis of two current musical artists, slowthai and Dave, will be discussed. The methodology began by repeatedly viewing the primary resources to identify key themes and components that could enable and validate objective scrutiny. The use of narrative, props and costume, settings and the artist and actors and supporting actors formed the framework for analysis of two case studies. Whilst the themes of connections, representation, black masculinity and the notion of violence enabled analysis of a third case study. From this detailed analysis we could suggest that the potential of music video to construct cultural memory is not to be underestimated due to its ability to communicate visually and to reach global audiences with ease. The conclusions reached by this research deserve further analysis from perspectives of many disciplines and fields, as music video is a growing medium and this analysis therefore only represents the beginning.
slowthai and Dave : Exploring the Construction of Cultural Memory through the Medium of Music Video
Cross, E. M. (Author). 22 Mar 2022
Student thesis: Master's Thesis › Master of Philosophy (MPhil)