Remember Madonna's book "Sex" from 1992?
Well, somebody posted it on a well-done fan site. In case you're interested.
I must admit that back then as well as now, I did not find the book hugely interesting, not as art and not as erotica. But I did find it interesting as a cultural phenomenon. It's important not because of any quality of the contents, but rather by its very existence. Madonna did something one could not imagine any other major cultural personality do, not even now. And she got away with it.
Of course "got away with it" is relative, because I did read an interview with Madonna later where she bitched intensely about how she got "the shit kicked out of her" because of that book in order to Create Freedoms for other people later to use similar ideas, like people apparently did in fashion photography and whatnot.
Sure, that can be argued. But really, what did she expect? Seriously? She obviously did the most confrontational move one could do in the USA, and she did not expect controversy? And the book outsold any other art book ever. In days. Surely she can't regard that as a failure.
Until Ray of Light, which was amazing, I did not find Madonna as an artist very interesting. But there's no doubt she is a trailblazer. Even before Ray of Light, when I saw the documentary "In Bed With Madonna", and saw her stage show, I suddenly understood where she came from as an artist, everything she did was about breaking down barriers. Which I can respect. And later she has grown beyond that.
18 comments:
Do I detect a hint of jealousy Eolake Stobblehouse?
I've always felt she did that, only I essentially percieved her as breaking the barriers of good taste... from time to time (including her live "freedom kiss" with Britney).
But to judge/attack her because of that? What for? If she has fans who like what she does, to each their own taste!
You're so very right about her "bigger picture" role. I had never heard or thought about this motivation of hers with that book before today.
The world needs daring jesters to break barriers. Which is why I chose to keep my sometimes risky special sense of humour. Partly for the fun, and partly because somebody has to do it.
It's a formidable way of automatically sorting your potential friends from the very beginning : the narrow-minded or judgemental ones will turn away or even turn ON you. The others will decide they're interested in knowing more. A great gain of time and effort (when done reasonably!).
I remember a newspaper article about Madonna saying that "she might be forgotten next month, but for now she is a big splash..." That was TWENTY years ago!
Right. And deeper considerations aside, she sure has kept her body hot into her 40's. She works damn hard at it. Personally I love her energy and daring. The whole Britney kiss thing was ridiculous. She's got a raw energy that runs deep. Apparently she had the same energy as a teenager. Firecracker.
One of my friends was in NYC in the early eighties. Madonna was not famous yet, but she was known in the village community as somebody who *really* wanted to be famous!
Perhaps disrelated, I've noticed in her later lyrics that this seems to be not all it's cracked up to be. Not surprised here.
Perhaps disrelated, I've noticed in her later lyrics that this seems to be not all it's cracked up to be. Not surprised here.
Not all her lyrics are hers. But she is multi=talented! The song, "This use to be my playground," From the movie with Sheena Davis is my favorite.
The kiss between her and britney was staged I think. Publicity.
The whole Britney kiss thing was ridiculous.
Not hardly. She laughed all the way to the bank. Her album sales nearly tripled. People love surprizes.
Which is why I chose to keep my sometimes risky special sense of humour. Partly for the fun, and partly because somebody has to do it.
I've read where you have offended a few patrons in this blog as well. Is it true?
and partly because somebody has to do it.
Nobody has to do "anything" they don't want to do. Consider this young lady.
by ridiculous I meant silly.
Okay, it made her millions. It's all still silly. My point was, I think she's about more than just publicity.
anyway, thank you for calling me young lady.
Had I offended some? Boy, I'm joining a wider and wider club.
(affectionate smile).
Laurie
anyway, thank you for calling me young lady.
You're welcome young lady.
Had I offended some? Boy, I'm joining a wider and wider club.
(affectionate smile).
Laurie, you offended no one dear one.. I was only pointing out a view ok? I enjoy your comments honestly. Have a great day okay?
-The whole Britney kiss thing was ridiculous.
-Not hardly. She laughed all the way to the bank. Her album sales nearly tripled. People love surprizes.
Laugh she can. Because that's quite amusing! Having all your contemptors giving you free advertising... :-D
"I've read where you have offended a few patrons in this blog as well. Is it true?"
Some newcomers seem to get easily upset at something I don't intend. They mistake innocent humor for mockery. Or irony for sarcastic insults. Some have labeled Eolake (and myself in the wake) as a racist for a while. (So ridiculous, months after I wrote this at his curious request!)
I don't attack people, but I won't be intimidated into euphemistic "political correctness" either. Those who make the effort to read all I say and believe know the real me, instead of a fugitive glimpse.
Hey, even Gandhi was "offensive" enough to get murdered. And I sure ain't no Gandhi...
You check the facts (and the records, in the archives) and decide for yourself whether it is true : am I an offensive guy, or are there people easily offended? When I feel I've gone too far, I never hesitate to make amends. But I sure won't apologize for getting hastily misinterpreted.
An interesting example is Terry. He and I have some very different attitudes sometimes, and a fortuitous coincidence made one of my jokes get posted right after a comment of his that seemed to become my target. We've cleared the misunderstanding like sensible people, and we're excellent friends now. These things happen when you communicate, but it's hard to end up at war with discerning people. :-)
As for you, Nildar, the simple fact that you asked before issuing a judgement places you among the open minds. Um... do you find me hasty for saying that? ;-)
"Nobody has to do "anything" they don't want to do. Consider this young lady."
Quite true. It's not an obligation. I see it as dedication. Taking some risks for the common good. It's always the few most unconventional and daring (whether they be right or wrong), who initiate reflection in society.
Not that I chose to become daring. I just decided I needed not change who I am to simply satisfy the Fundamentalist Church of Social Uniformity. (I grew up in such an atmosphere, and it was very personnality-destructive, believe me. Today, all my former "teachers" are old, sad and very neurotic...)
Okay, I'll consider this young lady. (And still very young at 40, indeed. Quite a feat!) I myself am not fond of what she does (I mean Madonna, not Laurie). But I find she has every damn right to do it! If Ozzy Osbourne could bite off the heads of live animals -poor beasts!-, why would Madonna have no democratic right to lie on a cross or kiss a girl? (Or kiss a cross and lie on a girl, for that matter?)
"Had I offended some? Boy, I'm joining a wider and wider club."
Who you callin' wide, yo? I'll have you know I'm quite slim, young missie! ;-)
(Dang, where DO all these chocolate bars GO???)
I'd lie on Madonna any day, but Laurie is better. :)
George W. Bush Has Only One Priority in Iraq: Himself
Once there was a way to get back home, sweet pretty darling do not cry and I will sing you a lullaby.
LOVERS SHOULD BE DRAPED
IN FLOWERS AND LAID ENTWINED
TOGETHER ON A BED OF CLOVER
AND LEFT THERE TO SLEEP, LEFT
THERE TO DREAM OF THEIR HAPPINESS.
Merry Christmas to all.
lol eolake, it's all good.
pascal, Madonna is 47, not 40. I admire her for the long lonely hours she's spent in the gym to keep that body. Day in, day out, very disciplined woman. I go to the gym, and there are so many moments like that, very lonely, you wonder, why the heck am I doing this? It takes a strong spiritual will, an ability to be alone, which I see in Madonna.
nildar, thank you.
anonymous, that was beautiful.
We can be in that place with our Beloved every moment if we choose to in our Mind. The more I realize this the happier I am.
"Pascal, Madonna is 47, not 40."
Even more to her merit then. In any case, the years don't show! :-)
She may be constantly seeking some spiritual inspiration (today she's jewish, before that she became buddhist), but for her physical care she's in no need of extra guidance.
I'm not fond of her music, and yet I feel that I'd be very interested in meeting the person. (Does that make me a fan, I wonder???)
Have you hear the songs from Ray Of Light? They are so awesome. I could not believe it was Madonna, when that one came out. An Englishman, William Orbit, worked with her on those.
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