„Nothing is real“

The Cultural Dimension of Music-Videos

Abstract

The first part of the article retraces the process of „liberation of images“ from their referential function by avantgarde artists, a kind of image-production popularised by the MTV music-channel. The second part of the article analyzes the theoretical implications of this development for which the dissolution of antagonisms hitherto considered incompatible constitutes a common denominator. Opposites like pure art - commercialised art, subversive - conformist, male - female increasingly seem to become obsolete, to dissolve. Under these new conditions the distinction between high culture and popular culture becomes obsolete, but surprisingly there seems to emerge a new potential for political discourse and subversion.