After discussing Jameson in class, and applying his theories to the Rollins Fiesta, I have a greater appreciation for the aesthetic of postmodern production. Alex duly stated that "fiesta means party" which somehow allows for the multinational conglomeration of traditions, stereotypes, and other aspects of culture. This conglomeration might seem random to the untrained onlooker, but according to Jameson, an event like this extracts "essential structural functions" such as gypsy dancers, but as part of many other featured activities, the overall fiesta is "aesthetic innovation and experimentation". One might ask, what is the reason for this experimentation? Jameson explains that the reason for experimentation is "integrated into commodity production". In the Fiesta example, their commodity is fundraising. When there is an opportunity to raise funds, Rollins tends to accept donations by any means necessary.
In this case, a family wanted to bring back a tradition...and probably make a donation. Aside from the hilarious logic or politically incorrectness of putting on an event like this, Rollins still experiments with aesthetic. Their goal results in a completely postmodern production where they mash-up cultural traditions and stereotypes to replicate a "dormant" event that occurred on this campus decades ago. Some argue that this event was deceased for a reason, but Jameson would have argued that the production could not have been postmodern without its resurrection. Happy Fiesta everybody!
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In this case, a family wanted to bring back a tradition...and probably make a donation. Aside from the hilarious logic or politically incorrectness of putting on an event like this, Rollins still experiments with aesthetic. Their goal results in a completely postmodern production where they mash-up cultural traditions and stereotypes to replicate a "dormant" event that occurred on this campus decades ago. Some argue that this event was deceased for a reason, but Jameson would have argued that the production could not have been postmodern without its resurrection. Happy Fiesta everybody!
Totally didn't see this. Wish I commented at the time. I think another way Fiesta connects with Jameson's piece is not just the act of fiesta itself (though that was more pastiche than anything I have seen in a while and therefore very postmodern) but the reaction to the Fiesta.
ReplyDeleteThe campus's reaction to Fiesta was not "wtf is this? this makes no sense" it was "oh hey free food" and just got in line without knowing or asking anything about what the event was, why it existed, why the f*** there is a mariachi band on mills lawn on a monday night when it is dark. This passivity and "waning of affect" is what really made Fiesta stand out to me as a "postmodern" event. People did not critically see Fiesta, just went along with it and ate the food and indulged this bizarre celebration of Rollins's birthday. Now, there is a record of decent attendance at the event and it continues with apathy from the Rollins community but when food gets put out, the waning of affect really shows.
Plus, and I don't think I have mentioned this yet, I didn't even win Fiesta King. DOWN WITH FIESTA! DOWN WITH R-PRIDE!