Standardization and homogeneity in contemporary cultural industries

Culture Industry

The cultural industries may be described as the "industrially produced commercial entertainment -- broadcasting, film, publishing, recorded music -- as distinct from the subsidised "arts" -- visual and performing arts, museums and galleries" Galloway & Dunlop 18). Films/movies, radio and publications compose a system which is homogeneous in every sense. The media that is technological in nature also demonstrates a standardization and homogeneity. The aim of the television is to synthesize both film and radio. This is the reason why the culture industry is developing at a very fast rate and this progression has directed this industry to predominant impacts. Cultural products are important for the reason that they bear identity, ethics/principles and help a society to advance economically and socially. When people of a society make endeavors to preserve and promote their cultural diversity, such attempts encourage the development of cultural industries (Horkheimer & Adorno 95). However, there is a big difference between the cultural industry and the popular arts of the previous times (when technology was not so advanced) and the contemporary era.

Changing Times

In this contemporary era, the cultural industry has made the entire humanity to move across the sieve of the culture industry. In the previous times, the movie goers experienced film as the replica of the world outside. However, times have changed drastically and now the movie-goers have turned out to be the guideline of the producers. The passionate and unblemished techniques have enabled them to reproduce practical objects and this ease of skills has enabled them to demonstrate that the exterior world is the uncomplicated extension of the world that is presented on the display. The mechanical depiction has furthered this purpose especially since the sound film has conquered it. The technology has greatly impacted the cultural industry by making real life and movies appear like two peas in a pod. The sound films have captivated the audiences as they connect with the reality in a direct manner (Horkheimer & Adorno 99).

Television and Media

It has been a long time that the culture industry and all its associated elements were introduced to provide amusement to the people. The culture industry holds significant importance as it has executed the earlier form of arts into an energetic force. It has provided the world with products that have refined and advanced the cultural elements everywhere. The cultural industries have proved as more and more important for the national economies all over the world and have also contributed a lot in improving trade on a global level (Horkheimer & Adorno 104). A number of leading economies in the world have cultural industries as the major export earners such as Bollywood in India. Today, the culture industry has been successful in taking over the humanizing legacy of the industrial and border line democratic system. It allows everyone to get entertained equally. In the previous times, it was not the exact case. The society is now more adaptive and everyone is influenced by the cultural industry and the products it offers. The fact that every household has access to satellite channels and contains a television is a major reason why every aspect of life is now influenced by the cultural industry.

Popular Art

Popular art is described as "any dance, literature, music, theatre, or other art form intended to be received and appreciated by ordinary people in a literate, technologically advanced society dominated by urban culture" ("popular art"). In the twentieth century, the popular art was found to be generally reliant TV, photography, press, CDs, radio, etc. through which it could be reproduced or distributed. In the late decades of the twentieth century, the main medium for the circulation of popular art and entertainment was the television that without a doubt earned the major position in doing so. However, popular art was also made famous through motion pictures but when compared with TV, it did not get as much popularity as through TV. The main objective behind popular arts usually is to express narrative ideas for the reinforcement of non-contentious beliefs and thoughts. It also aims to maintain and preserve popular institutions for the creation of identity in a specific societal group. Popular art can be differentiated as it demonstrates changing styles at a rapid momentum. It is also distinguished due to its refinement and continuous accessing of features from different forms of arts including elite, folk, etc. ("popular art").

An important aspect that needs consideration is that popular art that was mostly created anonymously is not seen nowadays. In the present era, the popular art has turned out to be a product of consumption that the whole human population absorbs. The development of arts took place in a very different era as compared to the present one. It was typified and had other uses in the previous eras when it was introduced. People who created art had power of action that is not worth mentioning. However, it is a crystal clear fact that the new techniques have caused astounding advancement in the different fields of popular arts. People have adapted and made precisions according to the demands of globalization and the contemporary needs. Every form of art has changed and they now have specific physical components that are entirely new as they have been affected by the modern human knowledge and dominance. For the last several decades, everything has changed including the time and space. Therefore, immensely powerful innovations must be expected in the future that would have the capability of transforming the entire arts' technique of the arts. Popular arts have been under great transformations and it is not an untold secret that sooner or later the artistic inventions would be affected that may bring incredible alterations in every facet of art (Benjamin).

Now and Then -- The Impact on Society

There is a very deep and diverse impact of cultural industries on the hundreds and thousands of self-employed artists and actors. The companies that have national and international foundations including tourism, media, retail etc. are also deeply influenced by the mentioned forms of arts and industry. Cultural industries also benefit non-profit organizations whose aims and objectives are to provide education to everyone, provide entertainment to masses and create employment opportunities. In addition, such industries also help public institutions that have an involvement in the social services. However, there are a number of challenges that cultural industries are facing in the contemporary times. Firstly, for the enhancement of innovation, an improvement is needed in the people-institutions connection. Secondly, public and private support needs coordination for the minimization of redundancy. Such industries also face the challenge of creating emphasized focus on the economic conditions that may be improved by both cultural and artistic elements. Thirdly, small and medium scale organizations must be provided with reliable funding sources.

Conclusion

To cut a long story short, it is the need of the time that the world starts giving the due importance to arts and culture. Every country must be proud of its unique heritage and must make endeavors to develop and improve the cultural industries present in its territorial boundaries so that the important assets may be preserved. It is exceedingly important for every country to facilitate the influx of the movie industry, the prominence of various festivals, the property values and their strengths etc. Other than that, policies must be devised for "place-marketing, stimulating a more entrepreneurial approach to the arts and culture, encouraging innovation and creativity, finding a new use for old buildings and derelict sites, and stimulating cultural diversity and democracy" (Hesmondalgh & Pr