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Western University

EXPLORING THE VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF TEEN IDOLS

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Exploring the Visual Representation of Teen Idols investigates the meaning of North American teen idols and their depiction in mass media and contemporary art. Young celebrities and entertainers, especially those in the popular music industry and produced by the Disney Company, are regarded as teen idols. Considering P. David Marshall’s definition of teen celebrities as non-threatening commodities of consumer culture targeting a pre-adolescent and adolescent audience, I argue that on the contrary, the visual representation of idols is overtly sexualized and exploited as in the case of Disney’s current idol Miley Cyrus. Looking at the art work of Takashi Murakami and Steven Shearer, I argue that the teen idol is subject to redefinition and constructive critique if put into the realm of fine arts. This investigation also informs a brief discussion of my own art practice which incorporates imagery surrounding teen celebrities.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
MA
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Visual Arts
Year dc:date.issued
2009

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Beneke, Katja
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Glabush, Sky

Subjects

dc:subject × 12

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/19176

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Western University
Base URL
uwo.scholaris.ca/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Beneke, Katja. EXPLORING THE VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF TEEN IDOLS. 2009. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/19176