Analysis of the corporality of star techno-pop unit "Perfume" from the perspective of social systems theory

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Other Title
  • テクノポップユニットPerfumeの非人間的身体性の表象に関する社会システム論的考察
  • テクノ ポップ ユニット Perfume ノ ヒニンゲンテキ シンタイセイ ノ ヒョウショウ ニカンスル シャカイ システムロンテキ コウサツ

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Abstract

This study aims to clarify the impact of the Japanese popular techno-pop unit "Perfume" on the operations of social systems concerning the media industry and consumers by analyzing the corporality of the unit from the perspective of social systems theory. It is well known that the performances of Perfume, which is composed of three female members, are constructed by talented creators such as music producer Nakata Yasutaka, video producer Seki Kazuaki, and choreographer MIKIKO. Perfume's performances are characterized by singing that sounds mechanically processed and deprived of individuality, and dancing with an inhuman image, as if the dancers were androids. These seem to represent the inhumanity of capitalism, as the conventional criticisms of the cultural industry once stated. However, their performances are highly evaluated by the public, and they have been ranked among the most popular star artists since 2007. Perfume's activities have deeply affected the operations of social systems consuming popular music by transforming the vocabulary to discuss popular music and dismantling the conventional categories of the music industry, including the distinction between idle singers and artists. Its activities also urge a fundamental reflection on the cognitive framework based on a dualistic worldview of individuals and society, individuality and cultural industry, and lifeworld and systems, in which the former is assumed to be aspired to and the latter is regarded as an obstacle to the selfrealization of individuals. The performances emphasizing inhuman images show that creativities and personalities can only be created in the complex overlap and conflicts among the different social systems.

Journal

  • 評論・社会科学

    評論・社会科学 (141), 49-70, 2022-05-31

    The Association of Social Studies, Doshisha University

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