Tow #2- (article) Rebel Yell: Creating Punk at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Jonathan Van Meter

In this Vogue article about the influence of punk, which will feature in Metropolitian Museum of Art’s exhibition “Punk: Chaos to Couture.” Punk, the author believes, is like a competitive sport of who can be the most outrageous and therefore show the most dedication to the form. The author then tells a story of his own discovery of punk and of one of his “punk” friends. He extends this to other “punk” celebrities today, include Madonna and Lady Gaga, who are characterized by the sometimes inappropriate things they do or wear to that grabs attention to show a context of what punk is. This punk subculture is derived from punk music, which started in about 1975. Punk fashion is characterized by clothes with outrageous symbols and leather or vinyl clothing. The author probably wrote this article to inform people about what punk, which many older people associate with hooliganism, really is. He says, “Every now and then I hear myself mutter under my breath, “That is so punk rock.”… Sometimes it’s an acknowledgment of heroism, sometimes nihilism.” The point about punk is that it goes against the established order and is meant to shock. It shouldn’t be seen as bad; it’s merely another form of expression. The audience would probably be adults, because they may have less of an understanding of what punk is than teens. Throughout this article, the author uses anecdotes and allusions to achieve his purpose. For example, he characterizes his punk roommate, Mortimer, as someone with stereotypical “punk” qualities, like his Mohawk. But he also describes how during a Chistrmas party Mortimer wrapped himself with Christmas lights attached to a long extension cord so that they actually lit up. This makes it appear that punk is a way of creative, unfettered thinking. He also alludes to the movie Edward Scissorhands to describe a physical appearance. I believe that the author did achieve his purpose, because he certainly made me reconsider what my image of punk is. When I think of punk I think of the music and clothes, but the author mentions little of either in his article. Instead, he focuses on the relationship between punk and the public and the purpose of this culture. Van Meter started his career writing for the Atlantic City magazine. Since then, he has written for Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and many others. Van Meter was the former editor-in-chief of the Vibe magazine, which focuses on street music culture.

 

 

An example of "Chaos to Couture" on the Red Carpet, as shown by Katy Perry.

 Source: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Met-Gala-2013-Punk-Chaos-to-Couture-On-The-Red-Carpet/8661215