The aim of this lecture was "to examine the culture industries, and the work of Walt Disney as an example". We looked at and recapped such topics as Adorno's concept of 'candyfloss entertainment', fordism, fandom, Andy Warhol and standardization among others.
The culture industry covers many topics and themes. One dominant figure regarding this area is Theodor Adorno - a German sociologist/philosopher who was known for his critical theory of society and was very pessimistic regarding the concept of the culture industry. He came up with the phrase 'candyfloss entertainment' and is believed to have had fascist, revolutionary views.
Standardization and mass production are reoccurring phrases when looking at the culture industry and relate to the term fordism (like a car manufacturer) meaning something is being standardised and made to be exactly the same.
On the handout given (p. 121) the quote "Movies and radio need no longer pretend to be art. The truth that they are just business is made into an ideology in order to justify the rubbish they deliberately produce" demonstrate Adorno's view of the culture industry and how he views art as hiding real economic qualities of social reality. Culture can be seen as being injected into us through the "hyperdermic syringe", classifying, catergorising ans labelling consumers, limiting our choices as consumers.
Rebecca Smith
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