Artist: Gnarls Barkley "Crazy"
Genre: R 'n' B
Director of Music Video: Robert Hales
Category: Performance/Concept
Genre Characteristics
After having explored a general number of \r 'n' \b music videos, it's fair to say Gnarls' Barley's music video does not follow the typical conventions used in most videos of this genre. To begin with, idealization and reference to the notion of looking are very popular conventions amongst the genre, usually due to the explicit song topics explored throughout the lyrics. This music video does not use very much sexualization to intrigue the viewer, but makes use of a more concept based music video to this instead. This in my opinion is what makes this music video so successful is the fact that it breaks stereotypical conventions but somehow manages to still encapsulate the feel of the song and genre. From another perspective you could say that for the exact reason that this video differentiates itself from others is what makes it fit in with the genre. One thing I think makes it work is the black and white filter which gives the video a very stylized look, common amongst R n B music videos.
I think that what Robert Hales was trying to do is to link this idea of going "crazy" that Gnarls Barkley explore in the song with the Rorschach inkblot test. He cleverly constructs his music video with a variety of images using the aesthetic of an "ink" medium with hidden images inside said pictures.
Above are visual examples of the Rorschach ink blot tests that Rorschach himself conducted as a method of discovering mental disabilities amongst his patients.
Relationship Between the Visuals and the Music
- Ink drops start falling to the introductory beats of the song. Instantly establishes a relationship between the visuals and the music. The drops then spread into the first image or illustration in which Gnarls' Barkley's lead man can be seen miming to the song. At this point you could say the performance aspect is introduced, whilst being incorporated into the conceptual visuals. The ink continues spreading and there's a subtle change in movement within the inkblot on screen. The occasional ink drop will fall on an important beat
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