Didi (Death of the Endless) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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fandomhigh2016-01-12 12:24 pm
living_endless) wrote in fandomhigh2016-01-12 12:24 pm
Subcultures 101, Tuesday, Period 3
Death knew her job was inevitable; natural. That death (with a big or small D) was the one certain thing every time a soul was born into the multiverse. She rarely grieved.
But sometimes, the weight of what she had taken from the world -- and the sorrow it caused so many other people -- got to even her. Today was a day like that, and she was a bit less cheerful than usual as she greeted the class. A careful observer might notice she'd worn deep-red Converse sneakers in her own subtle Bowie tribute.
"Hi," she said. "So the subculture we're starting with today is glam rock. That's a subculture linked to a style of rock music that became popular in Great Britain in the early 1970s. David Bowie was probably the biggest and longest-lasting musician to come out of that scene, which is why we're talking about it today."
She fumbled with her laptop and projector, finding a video clip as she spoke. "So, glam rock was outrageous and theatrical. It was about makeup, platform boots, skintight leotards and loads of glitter. It was about androgyny and playing with gender roles -- which, in 1972, was pretty radical. There was great music too, from Bowie as well as people like Iggy Pop, Marc Bolan and Roxy Music, but this is a very visual subculture that helped pave the way for broader queer acceptance in pop culture. You can still see its aftershocks in performers like Marilyn Manson, Prince and The Darkness."
"We're watching two videos today. The first is a clip of Bowie performing 'Ziggy Stardust' from 1973. This is peak glam rock -- just watch the costumes. And the second is a condensed version of the movie 'Velvet Goldmine,' which a) is amazing and b) shows how glam rock was interpreted some 25 years later. No huge discussion today, but if you have thoughts, I'd love to hear them."
And then she pressed play.
But sometimes, the weight of what she had taken from the world -- and the sorrow it caused so many other people -- got to even her. Today was a day like that, and she was a bit less cheerful than usual as she greeted the class. A careful observer might notice she'd worn deep-red Converse sneakers in her own subtle Bowie tribute.
"Hi," she said. "So the subculture we're starting with today is glam rock. That's a subculture linked to a style of rock music that became popular in Great Britain in the early 1970s. David Bowie was probably the biggest and longest-lasting musician to come out of that scene, which is why we're talking about it today."
She fumbled with her laptop and projector, finding a video clip as she spoke. "So, glam rock was outrageous and theatrical. It was about makeup, platform boots, skintight leotards and loads of glitter. It was about androgyny and playing with gender roles -- which, in 1972, was pretty radical. There was great music too, from Bowie as well as people like Iggy Pop, Marc Bolan and Roxy Music, but this is a very visual subculture that helped pave the way for broader queer acceptance in pop culture. You can still see its aftershocks in performers like Marilyn Manson, Prince and The Darkness."
"We're watching two videos today. The first is a clip of Bowie performing 'Ziggy Stardust' from 1973. This is peak glam rock -- just watch the costumes. And the second is a condensed version of the movie 'Velvet Goldmine,' which a) is amazing and b) shows how glam rock was interpreted some 25 years later. No huge discussion today, but if you have thoughts, I'd love to hear them."
And then she pressed play.
Re: Lecture + Movies [01/12]