One of my Favourite Madonna moments ever is when she opened her 2001 Drowned World Tour recreating the Birth of Venus.
There was no nudity (which is often attributed to the birth of venus)
She did not have long hair (another characteristic of the birth of venus)
Madonna did not re-create the obvious visuals that the birth of venus emcompassed at all. Why? Madonna is artistic and theatrical. Madonna’s opening for the Drowned World Tour was a conceptual reference to the Birth of Venus.
The show opened with all of the performers and the band drowned deep in the ocean. They all arise from the sea just like Venus did. But here’s how Madonna’s depiction of the Birth of Venus is a lot more complex and rich:
The Tour’s opening concept also represents the creation of life in this world (hence the reference to the “birth” of Venus) it goes from life deep in the sea, to the Pangaea, to the separation of the continents, to maturity.
Madonna’s band members represent life in the sea, then we see the Pangaea (most of the band comes out together in the center of the stage), then they diverge into different directions (representing the separation of the continents). Then a punk version of venus comes out of the sea.
At that stage in her career ROL (which the DWT was in support of) was considered Madonna's most mature era which is another conceptial refrence.
UPDATE: - After much debate I can confirm a secondary source that shares the same theory as my post. With Direct references to Madonna's OWN TOUR BOOK
Quote:
Like in the 'Birth of Venus' by Botticelli, Madonna is standing on a shell. The goddess of love rises from the sea. The tour book also includes this message; it tells the old wisdom that one must be open for new things and experiences. One can't hold on to old and lost loves, cause they drown and take you down with them. Let them go and you will rise. You will rise from waters and drift ashore like the Venus on a shell. You will reach the mainland like a reborn goddess of love
UPDATE 2. - Because of constant debate I thought it might be a good idea to pay homage to other artists that have channeled The birth of Venus. Just to show, no hard feelings.
Kylie:
And of course, Lady gaga
Each pop star brings their own take to the amazing artwork.
Keep on educationg ATRL with nothing but the TRUTH.
Thanks!
Quote:
You're a god damn mess.
There's no Venus reference in any of it. It's just evolution.
And DWT was more for Music than ROL
Please calm down. We are here to talk about Madonna and her artistic contributions. If you have something genuine to share about Madonna, please share it.
The twelvies on ATRL should reflect & appreciate the fact that Madonna is, was & always will be - The blueprint, the trendsetter & the queen. Whatever your fave has done, Madonna has done & done better. The woman is a revolutionary force.
The twelvies on ATRL should reflect & appreciate the fact that Madonna is, was & always will be - The blueprint, the trendsetter & the queen. Whatever your fave has done, Madonna has done & done better. The woman is a revolutionary force.
For me, this wasn't about that. I mean, I agree with you.
Latley I have been annoyed with the lack of appreciation on Madonna's artistry. It is of no consequence to me that other people have also used this same concept.
The point of my threads is to appreciate the amazing artist that Madonna is. If some people get their nose out of joint because their fave did it after her, thats not my problem. I encourage anyone from any fan base to comment anything genuine.