Week 6B

Introduction to Karl Marx

  • Karl Marx's seminal work: Capital (1867)

    • Analyzes the fetish character of the commodity.

The Fetish Character of the Commodity

  • Definition of a commodity:

    • Fungible, mechanically reproducible.

    • Exists in a relation of equivalence with all other commodities.

    • Distinguished by an appealing “surface” for consumers.

    • Disguises underlying exchanges within a capitalist system.

    • Represents a relationship between the purchaser and the commodity.

  • Key Marxist Concepts:

    • Exchange Value vs. Use Value:

      • Exchange value: value established through market transactions.

      • Use value: immediate utility of a commodity.

  • Concept of fetishism in commodities:

    • Commodities are imbued with magical powers in the eyes of consumers, masking the reality of value relations.

    • Reflects a social system where relationships with goods become sensory rather than substantive.

Questions on Commodification

  • Primary Questions:

    • Can a dance be commodified?

    • What aspects are being commoditized?

Colin Campbell on Consumerism and Modern Hedonism

  • Argument presented by sociologist Colin Campbell:

    • Modern consumerism requires individuals to love their fantasies and imagination as much as actual material goods.

  • Explanation of Hedonism:

    • Traditional Hedonism: Immediate sensory gratification.

      • Example: Decadent ancient Roman practices.

    • Modern Hedonism: Involves deferring pleasure

      • The anticipation of pleasure can be more satisfying than the act itself.

    • The chase (means to achieve pleasure) becomes prioritized over the experience of pleasure itself.

  • Role of Art:

    • Romantic art (e.g., novels, poems, paintings, music) trains the imagination.

    • Prepares individuals for consumerism by fostering a sense of dreaming beyond reality.

Adam Smith: Ethics and Economic Accumulation

  • Adam Smith's The Theory of the Moral Sentiments (1759):

    • Explores ethics and its relation to social life.

  • Key Concepts:

    • Sympathy as the regulatory principle of social life.

    • Empathy: Ability to imagine and feel as others do.

    • This empathetic connection serves as a basis for economic behavior.

      • We desire possessions of things that may satisfy senses without immediate consumption.

      • Appreciate environments that foster pleasure (e.g., an aesthetically pleasing room).

    • Result: Consumerism generates a state of permanent fantasy and desire for continuous accumulation.

Adam Smith: Illustrating Principles through Examples

  • Narrative Explanation:

    • A person becomes frustrated with disorganized furniture and rearranges it for convenience.

    • The rearrangement reflects human inclination towards comfort and aesthetic order.

    • Despite not needing rearranged furniture, the action showcases the human tendency for control over aesthetic arrangements.

  • Example with watches:

    • A watch that is late becomes undesirable despite its primary function being to tell time.

    • Individuals often desire the perfection of a watch's mechanism over its practical use.

Dance Crazes in 19th Century

  • The Waltz:

    • First popular commercial dance of the 19th century.

    • Features:

      • Quick 3/4 time signature with strong downbeats.

      • Whirling motion involving close partner positions.

    • Origin: Derived from rustic dances, not exclusive to the elite.

    • Notable Composer: Johann Strauss Jr. (e.g., The Blue Danube from the 1860s).

The Moulin Rouge

  • Founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller.

  • Description:

    • A pivotal cabaret/nightclub in Paris.

Cancan Dance

  • Notable dance associated with the Moulin Rouge.

    • Performance often depicted in the work of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

  • Example: Jane Avril performing the cancan.

The Impact of Josephine Baker

  • Celebrated performer of early 20th-century French cabaret.

    • Known for her provocative “banana skirt” attire.

    • Influential in popularizing the Charleston dance and 1920s flapper fashion.

  • Activism: Baker also became a prominent Civil Rights activist.

Overview of Musical and Dance Trends

  • The Charleston:

    • A dance and Tin Pan Alley song from 1923 by James P. Johnson.

    • Integrates movements and styles from Harlem's nightclub culture into mainstream.

  • The Chocolate Kiddies (1925):

    • Early influential Harlem Renaissance revue that showcased Harlem street scenes and dance styles, notably the Charleston.

    • Contributed to the fame of Black musicians, such as Duke Ellington.

  • The Blackbirds Revue (1926):

    • Achieved significant popularity in Europe with an all-Black cast, showcasing talent like Florence Mills.

Summary of Discussed Dances

  • Four Significant Dances:

    • Waltz: Originated from rustic dances, emphasized social pairing, transitioned into commercial ballrooms.

    • Can-Can: Fast-paced dance from Parisian cabarets, characterized by high-kicks and vibrant energy.

    • Cakewalk: Based on African American cultural mimicry, transitioned to a dance of class and culture in metropolitan areas.

    • Charleston: Birthed in African American nightlife, popularized by flappers and revue shows, known for energetic leg movements and playful rhythm.

  • Cultural Appropriation:

    • These dances illustrate processes of appropriation and imitation across social classes and racial identities.

    • Such dances provide temporary representations and playful transgressions of identity norms.