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“Ordinary becomes Extraordinary” — a student design project
This is a project by Chen Song, a Beijinger studying design at Goldsmiths at U of London, Here’s how Chen describes her project:
“The project reports on the newly-arrived Chinese stardom and fandom phenomenon. As a designer, I try to find an effective way of reporting this phenomenon.”
“The phenomena of stardom and fandom is quite complex in China in light of the country’s cultural and social background.”
“The project has two purposes: to show this kind of entertainment show to people who have not known about it; to make Chinese people rethink about the stardom phenomenon.“
“The video we made about the Dull Men’s Club for the project was made to explore the distinction between stars and ordinary people and constructing ordinary people into pop stars in a Chinese way. It is an example of an entertainment show that reflects how media constructs pop stars. In this show, Mr Lee, an ordinary man, becomes ‘the star’.”
DMC’s thoughts about this: stardom when ordinary can become extraordinary, at least for 15 minutes
Along with the new affluence in China, pop idols are all of a sudden appearing. The phenomena of stardom and the flip-side fandom are new to people in China. Is this good or bad? It’s good or course for the stars. And it can be interesting for the fans. But there are downsides. Feelings of jealousy and inadequacy arise, people feeling they are not good enough.
As the Dull Men’s Club points out, feelings of inadequacy like this can be overcome. Ordinary people can be stars too. Celebrating the ordinary — turning ordinary into extraordinary.
Reality shows in China are different than in England or America
Filmmakers in China insert pop up signs, symbols, and animations that poke a bit of fun at the celebrities being interviewed, chipping away at their hifalutin status, bringing them back down to earth, making easier to relate to. And their side comments to directors and cameramen are often left in whereas they are taken out by editors in England and America.
DMC’s comments: stardom when ordinary can become extraordinary, at least for 15 minutes
Along with the new affluence in China, pop idols are all of a sudden appearing. The phenomena of stardom and the flip-side fandom are new to people in China. Is this good or bad? It’s good or course for the stars. And it can be interesting for the fans. But there are downsides. Feelings of jealousy and inadequacy arise. people who are not stars feeling they are not good enough.
As the Dull Men’s Club points out, feelings of inadequacy like this can be overcome. Ordinary people can be stars too. Celebrating the ordinary — turning ordinary into extraordinary.
