Front Cover Analysis (MOJO and Unseen Text)

MOJO Representations

Representation analysis of magazines

Representation analysis includes (taking MOJO as an example):

 

 

 

 

 

How the producers have chosen to construct a version of reality that represents events, social groups and ideas to fit their purposes:

 

• MOJO wishes to attract a target audience that shares its respect for ‘classic rock’, so constructs a version of reality that represents musicians as authentic heroes, striving for excellence.

 

 

How and why (e.g. to enable quick interpretation) stereotypes have been used, including anti-stereotyping/counter-stereotyping:

 

• MOJO’s selection of photographs of mainly young, white males may be to fit the stereotype of rock musicians – this will enable instant recognition by audiences

 

• MOJO’s anti-stereotypical positive representation of older people as popular musicians. This may reflect the anti-ageism of an older audience

 

 

 

Which social groups are under-represented  or misrepresented:

 

• MOJO’s front cover 99% of the time represents white male musicians in photographs under- representing female musicians and musicians of colour

 

 

 

The messages and values conveyed and issues addressed:

 

• MOJO’s front cover associates musicians with quest, danger and struggle, celebrating the values associated with rock music of ‘living fast and dying young’

 

 

How these representations  reflect their social/cultural contexts:

 

 

•MOJO’s representations reflect the continuing significance of a 1960s generation who developed popular music in a period of social upheaval. It also reflects the dominance of celebrity culture in society

What are the stereotypical representations on the front cover? Why have they been used? Are there any counter-types?

The front cover of Pink Floyd's MOJO magazine matches the stereotype of psychedelic rock, musicians who are known to take recreational drugs and are even disorientated. This theme is conveyed on the front cover through the use of many colours merged together, in a way this creates a feeling of uncertainty and being fluctuant. The use of colour however is a counter-type in the sense that males aren't seen to stand by 'feminine' colours, this would encourage readers to start abolishing toxic masculinity. Furthermore, the band seen to be almost smirky which abides by their genre of rebelliousness.

Celebrity Culture

The MOJO front cover in a way does represent the rebellious rockers social group as you can see them all lined and smirking at the reader, this shows their almost mischievous side as well as rebellious as it shows they don't intend to follow the rules.

Multiculturalism 

On the front cover of Pink Floyd's MOJO magazine people of colour and diversity are absent, therefore MOJO aren't reflecting the diversity of people of colour in a multicultural society. This might be because MOJO have been around the magazine industry for a long time and the customers they attract are loyal customers who have been subscribed to the magazine for years, therefore their views and opinions may be in a sense 'stuck in the past' and not agree with today's society as well as equality for all races, ethnicities etc.

Changes in gender roles; Are females present or absent? Why?

On the front cover of Pink Floyd's MOJO magazine females are absent (no females on featured article) apart from a tiny other image in the corner of the front cover, a headshot of Patti Smith looking away from the reader, which ultimately under-represents females. Although the image of Patti Smith is small, it does reflect the diversity of roles women play in a post-feminist society. By Patti looking away, it shows her rebellious character as well as her language seen on the front cover "I have no fear", this is a counter-type to a traditional female who are seen as housed-wife's/mother or even sex objects and instead appeals to the idea that women have voices just as loud as males. Unfortunately this idea is belittled by the fact her image is so miniature and instead conforms to the stereotype that men are far more powerful than females and continue to over rule them as people.