Avant Garde

Avant Garde refers to works that are innovative and experimental in art, culture, politics and film making. The movement originated from France and Italy in the 19^th and 20^th century making different appearances in French surrealism, German expressionism, and abstract and cine virtue works. Avant Garde work represents concepts that are against the status quo. The majority of Avante Garde artists, writers and composers work opposed mainstream values.

An Avant Garde movement I will be demonstrating in my music video is Surrealism. Surrealism began in the early 1920’s and its works demonstrate the elements of surprise and unexpected juxtapositions.  For my music video I plan to show the unexpected juxtaposition of a Barbie doll, which is symbolic of perfection, being destroyed and broken. Undoubtedly Surrealism will be demonstrated by the way in which my audience would not expect these two ideas to be combined together.  The Surrealism movement demonstrates the unconscious mind. Un Chien Andalou (1929) is an example of appearing initially realistic but the involvement of dreams change the interpretation. From watching Chien Andalou it is evident that any interpretation can be drawn from the images shown. There is a parts (the cutting of the eye) which has no build up and therefore the initial shock is instant to the audience as the climax is unexpected.  After deciding on wanting to produce an all narrative music video which is specic to my chosen genre, indie music, Chien Andalou emphasised the opportunity of using quick cuts and no evident build up to create shock to the audience and dramatic effect.  

Another Avant Garde movement I will be demonstrating in my music video is Cinema Vertie. This movement focused on observation through the use of a hand held camera. The style itself is a style of documentary filming. We therefore decided it would be interesting to try out holding the camera ourselves when filming the young girl in her bedroom for a ‘fly on the wall effect’ and to show that her actions are being watched as if someone was in the room with her. By using a Cinema vertie effect for our music video we will be demonstrating a slight reality to our music video making part of the narrative appear unrehearsed by a slightly shaky camera in the scenes with the young girl.

Elements of the Avant Garde movement can still be seen in the 21^st century. Artists such as Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj both show experimentation of new images in the way they dress. Lady Gaga refers to her fans as ‘little monsters’ which firstly represents her innovative ideas in the 21^st century as she appears as someone who shows her identity against the status quo. Her public image has always been a huge topic of discussion, especially when she turned up to the MTV Music awards in a dress made of meat! Her style can purely be seen as a continuation of the Avant Garde movement in the 21^st century by her experimental and innovative image that she portrays.