The Grand Rapids Lip Dub is the type of video that is so interesting it’s almost impossible not to re-watch it. I think the giant street party set to Don McClean’s “American Pie” is an innovative and a one of a kind piece because it brings together the whole community. The video features a variety of things from a wedding to a concert, and from a pillow fight to a group of news vans. There are people waving handkerchiefs from balconies and more guitars than you can count. There’s a chain of fire trucks and police cars. There are cheerleaders, football players, and a marching band. Every verse has a new, distinct person or group of people doing an array of everyday things arranged in such a charming way it makes you wish you were there singing with them. I think this lip dub video featuring thousands of people is an example of art breaking bounds, and is a fresh way to share and celebrate culture. I enjoyed this video over Brat Pack videos because it embodies an entire community coming together versus just a small group of friends.
I agree with Julian’s Sanchez’ argument regarding our aggressive copyright policy because criminalizing the remix activities of young people is hindering their right of expression and free speech. I think that the creators should definitely be commended for their artistic creations, but I don’t think that people putting their own spin on another’s artwork is a bad thing at all. The creators of artworks should be honored when others take interest in their work and shouldn’t punish them for it.
I think the Brooklyn and San Francisco Brat Pack / Lisztomania videos are a great “cultural template” for different places around the world to exhibit their different cultural values, and it’s also great because you get to watch the different videos and see the many similarities between people of different cultures.
The bright orange publish post on the blog is a powerful thing to think about because what I post will be available on the world wide web for quite some time, for everyone to see. People may read my post and disagree with me, agree with me, and what I post could possibly change someone’s life.
