This post is about the "Portlandia" episodes assigned this week. Feel free to comment on either of the two posts.
To start, this week’s visual entertainment contains a whole host of satirical elements that poke fun at what is conceived as the modern hipster.
To start, this week’s visual entertainment contains a whole host of satirical elements that poke fun at what is conceived as the modern hipster.
However, one of the most obvious marked differences between the material for this week vs. that of weeks past is the age of the subjects being examined; most of the characters in Portlandia are amongst the “older” generation (at the very least above the age of 30), unlike the young teenagers/20 year olds usually we usually examine. In this sense, there is no possibility of confusing youth subculture for “hipster” subculture.
Thus, how does the age of characters on the show affect your perception of the hipster (i.e. does the characters' behavior seem out of place)? What are some of the differences between the social criticisms that hipsters of this age present vs. those of hipsters of the younger generation? With regards to some of these social criticisms, do you think that these hipsters are well intentioned in their concerns (think about the scene in which they let the dog on the leash go free)? If not, then what exactly are the creators of the show trying to say about hipster culture?
Another interesting aspect about the show itself is the creative choices made in how the show is presented. What do you think of the fact that the show is set up in a sketch-comedy fashion? Why may have the creators chosen to do this (does it facilitate the satirization of hipster culture)? If the show did not take place in Portland, what sort of effect do you think that would have on the nature of the characters' behavior?
The show can in some ways be viewed as something of a social experiment; what happens when somebody retains elements of a hipster in their character, but outgrows part of the physical aesthetic of being a hipster (i.e. youth)? These could all be interesting things to keep in mind when writing your response!
I love your observations about hipster culture vs youth culture and I think that it's an important distinction because often young people might inherently be labeled as "hipster" for following trends their entire generation follows. I think that young hipsters receive criticism for their appearance, fashion choices, and ignorance about the trends they admire (such as students participating in Occupy Wall Street for the novelty, not for the ideas behind the movement). Older hipsters are perhaps criticized more on their extreme views and how intensely they act on their beliefs. The scene where they let the dog off the leash is a perfect example, the couple is well-meaning and their intentions are good, but they take their opinions and extend them to an scenario that does not need their assistance. The dog isn't in danger, nor is he being mistreated but they are so dramatic they end up letting the dog go and ultimately doing the wrong thing. Additionally, I believe that the directors organize the show as a "sketch-somedy" show is in order to include a huge range of characters with different hipster traits. In our class, we have essentially concluded that there is no single definition of a hipster and there are lots of different aspects that might make someone a hipster. In the sketch comedy style, the creators have the opportunity to highlight hipsters who take "eating organic" too far, hipsters who take feminism too far, hipsters who taking stopping animal cruelty too far and many more.
ReplyDeleteTo address your first question, in my opinion the characters’ behavior makes more sense due to their age. In the very first show Fred Armisen explains that in Portland all of the fads and trends from the 1990s still exist and that this is the prominent characteristic of the city. Considering that the characters in the show are at least 30 years old they should have a much better memory of the 90s, which gives them more reason to want to bring these fads back. Younger generations do not have this experience with 90s culture, so their behavior and wish to identify with that time period is not as easily understood. The social criticisms that the hipsters of the older generation receive are much harsher. Most people believe that these hipsters are wasting their lives and are just being extremely lazy. On the other hand, hipsters of the younger generation receive criticism that is not nearly as severe. This generation of hipster is typically perceived to be going through a rebellious phase that is supposed to be short lived, and is seen to be the more normal of the two categories. Moreover, I completely agree with what Nicky said in the previous comment regarding the decision to make the show a sketch-comedy. This allows the directors to comment on and poke fun at several different types of hipsters rather than being forced to focus on two stationary main characters.
ReplyDeleteI like what Haley brings up about the fact that since they are older, the adults have a better memory of the 90s thus increasing the validity of their motives, and how they actually act (i guess to some extent). It once again brings up this question of authenticity, that has constantly shrouded our conversation of the hipster. The fact that they have a reason to want to bring these trends or ways of life back, would in a sense make them more authentic, because their motives are clear. The characters that the protagonists portray, at least to me, are incredibly invested in the trends they are trying to bring back, or even the pieces of their identity that we would define as hipsters. For example the bookstore owners. Despite the fact that they make little to no profit because of their superiority complex and other aspects of their bizarre attitude, they don't sell out. They stay true to their estranged beliefs, they don't actually give the girl the book that she wants because they can't actually reach it for whatever. This scene is, and the other sketches with these characters are little representations of this you-can't-be-a-hipster-if-you're-a-sell-out idea and enforces the fact that these crazy people are pretty authentic people. Who make for great comedy, I might add.
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