Understanding Intertextuality & Postmodern aesthetics

Intertextuality refers to the relationship between texts, where one text references, alludes to, or borrows elements from another text. In literature, this can manifest as the use of quotes, allusions, or references to other works. In music videos, intertextuality can manifest in a variety of ways, such as referencing other music videos, films, or artworks. These references can be overt, such as a direct quote or recreation of a scene, or more subtle, such as a nod or homage to another work. Postmodern aesthetics in music videos often reject traditional ideas of representation and storytelling, and instead focus on self-referentiality, irony, and pastiche. This can include the use of intertextuality, as well as the blurring of boundaries between high and low culture, and a playful, non-linear approach to narrative. Postmodern music videos often challenge traditional notions of genre, form, and meaning, and instead play with and subvert these conventions. An example of a music video that incorporates postmodern aesthetics and intertextuality is "This Is America" by Childish Gambino. The video references various elements of American history and culture, including the Civil War, minstrel shows, and the Black Lives Matter movement, and uses irony and satire to comment on issues of race and inequality in the US. The video also references other music videos, such as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Bad" and also references the well known painting "The Scream" by Edward Munch. Through its use of intertextuality, the video creates a multilayered commentary on American society and culture, and highlights the ways in which past and present are interconnected. In conclusion, Intertextuality and postmodern aesthetics are closely related concepts, with postmodern aesthetics often incorporating intertextuality as a means of challenging and subverting traditional notions of representation and storytelling. Music videos that incorporate these elements often offer a rich and complex commentary on the world, referencing and reworking other texts in order to create new meanings and perspectives.