"Nothing is Beatleproof!" In what context? (part II) The socio-political and the media perspectives in the creation of art and the artist's image in communication

Abstract

Art is often defined as a process of creation guided by artist’s intention. However, artwork as a means of expression is also a communicative medium. How do socio-political contexts influence the artwork and identity of artists? Can one define an artwork as a co-design between artist and its socio-political context? What is the role of the media, the intermediate, in communication in this process? The purpose of the thesis is to explore the idea of art as a communicative co-design process by studying the relation between the popular music band Beatles, their collaborators, and the socio-political context they emerged from. Is their image or identity a result of a co-design, which occurred between the band and the socio-political realities of the day as communicated via the media? The band’s communicative approaches, patterns and strategies are viewed in relation to socio-political perspectives and the role of media. Answers to the above questions are to be found in communication theories related to production and media processes, studies related to society, politics, and the media, and examples of communicative interaction between the band and the political and social forces. The study finds that socio-political, market and media parameters had a profound effect on the Beatles’ art and image. It concludes that both artwork and artist’s identity are co-shaped through communication; a co-design influenced by context, i.e. not simply products of artistic intention nor marketing strategies.