A Study Of The Aesthetic Qualities Of Contemporary Youth Subculture

By using the youth subculture theory of Birmingham School as theoretical tool,the style of subculture as a breakthrough and the auto-tune remix-themed content videos as a concrete example,This dissertation endeavors to examine the aesthetic qualities of youth subculture and the youth cultural mentality it reflects.The thesis argues that youth subculture such as the auto-tune remix-themed content videos present a carnivalesque style connoted by media virtuality,ritual confrontation and "self-enrichment",reflecting the cynical mentality of contemporary youth who demand self-defined youth identity,pluralistic discourse and the search for media utopia.The thesis uses a combination of textual analysis and virtual ethnography to collect relevant materials through participatory research and in-depth interviews,and discusses the stylistic construction,aesthetic qualities,causes,discursive purposes and problems of auto-tune remix-themed content video.The dissertation consists of three parts:the introduction,the body and the conclusion.The introduction explains the origin of the topic,the current status of research at home and abroad,the theoretical paradigm and the purpose and significance of the study,and outlines the current status of research on subculture and auto-tune remix-themed content video.Through combing through the current literature,it is found that the aesthetic dimension of subculture style has not been studied much,so it is proposed that the study of the aesthetic quality of auto-tune remix-themed content video should be started from style.Chapter One compares youth subculture theory and the generation and development of auto-tune remix-themed content video,focusing on defining the concepts of "youth subculture","style" and auto-tune remix-themed content video,outlining the theoretical origins of youth subculture theory and its innovative points,and using them as a tool to the fore chapter focuses on the study of the style of auto-tune remix-themed content video.Chapter Two focuses on the style of auto-tune remix-themed content video.Firstly,the coding methods of auto-tune remix-themed content videos are explained,and the three construction methods of collage,bricolage,homology and ideographic practice are outlined."Finally,the carnival style of auto-tune remix-themed content video is compared with "Celebrity Culture" and punk in a horizontal and vertical way,highlighting the heterogeneity of the former style.Chapter Three analyses the cultural factors that have shaped the style traits summarised in the previous chapter.Firstly,the overwhelming pressure which from modern society has distorted the true connection between people and the world,resulting in young people being unable to locate their own existence and needing to seek cultural solace;secondly,the erosion of consumerism and pan-entertainment tendencies;and finally,digital media technology has contributed to the birth and growth of auto-tune remix-themed content video.Chapter Four analyses the discursive purpose of auto-tune remix-themed content video.As a discursive practice of youth,it firstly expressed dissatisfaction with the mainstream standard of "youth",and demand that youth define and promote the "youth"standard of youth values and experiences on their own.Finally,the intention is to create a media utopia that can temporarily escape from the barriers of reality.Chapter Five analyses the problems that exist in the development of auto-tune remix-themed content video and proposes measures to address them.The development of auto-tune remix-themed content video has a tendency to vulgarise and pan-entertain.Firstly,it is necessary to improve media literacy and make rational use of digital media technology;secondly,it is necessary to clarify the platform and social responsibility and improve the content grading and review mechanism;finally,it is necessary to strengthen aesthetic education for the subjects and improve their aesthetic ability.The last chapter is the Concluding.The auto-tune remix-themed content video,as one of the most vital subcultures in recent years,shows the vigorous vitality and desire for expression of contemporary youth,and demonstrate the complex cultural mindset of youth under the new generation.However,there is also a tail of vulgarity behinds its strong body that needs to be regulated to avoid the end of being collected and extinguished.