The Music Video Picasso Baby by Jay Z Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Music Video Picasso Baby by Jay Z - Essay Example The essay "The Music Video Picasso Baby by Jay Z" aims to analyze the album of Ja-Z and gives a review on his video. Picasso Baby, included in Jay Z’s album titled ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’, is a music piece inspired by art-world icons and ‘high-status’ figures. The performance was with an interaction of an invited-only audience composed of a number of elites in the art world. Performance by artists like Marina Abramovic from the MoMA show-â€Å"The Artist is Present† graced the video. The lyrics and script relate to the video in that performance art, just like other types of arts, draws its influence from ‘stigmata effect.’ This means that he does not just perform in concerts for the audience, but engages the audience as a necessary and equal part of the performance. The piece takes place through the bodies of all the listeners, including the artist (Jay Z) himself. Picasso Baby’s performance is a manifestation of performanc e changes that Jay Z is trying to achieve. Depending upon individuals who present themselves before the performing artist, Jay Z acts a shiny surface that embodies and reflects his fans. Herein, the connection between ‘Picasso Baby’ and the works of famous artists he mentions in his lyrics is seen. Watching the video for the first time, I was drawn to the entire performance as a normal event. Using Pace Gallery as the setting also makes the whole performance questionable considering that Jay Z’s celebrity status is enough to grant him entry into the gallery.