JS: Can Music Videos be seen as an Art Form?

Can music videos be seen as an art form?

• In my opinion, music videos can be viewed as an art form. Art involves creativity and expression; therefore music videos have the ability to be an art form. 
• Matt Hanson once stated that ‘Music video is a perfectly formed, contemporary moving image form’. This suggests that he views music videos from artists as something more than ‘soft porn’ or something commercial.
•  A multitude of bands communicate their beliefs and ideologies through their videos, and often communicate moral messages through as well. These often provide characteristics of the band, for example, if they are enigmatic.
•  Art is open to many different interpretations and is subjective, and what is art to some may not be viewed as art by others, so this means that some people would view music videos as art, while others would think differently.

Matt Hanson - a director who firmly
 believes that music videos are art forms

• Modern music videos tend to be more commercial than artistic, with the focus on selling the artist’s image, albums and singles rather than demonstrating artistic talent. 
• Jonas Odell once said ‘the industry has the power to choose which direction music videos are going’ and Adam Levite also said ‘Once the industry becomes involved, labels, artists and such, then everything can be pushed towards sameness’. 
• This suggests that the businessmen are aiming to incorporate reliable and used methods to sell their artist, such as using soft porn for repeatability.

An example of 'soft porn' in Green Day's latest single 'Oh Love',
used for repeatability and demonstrates no artistic approach

Green Day lead singer Billie-Joe Armstrong involved in
the video, promoting his and his band's star image

• To conclude, I believe that music videos should be considered as art. 
• Many bands and solo artists release music videos that are both conceptual and original and are used without the sole intention being to make money.
•  Boosting sales and making profit has been the sole purpose of some music videos in the present day, as music piracy continues to rise, but this does not mean that music videos can not be creative and avant-garde.