SHAMAN OR SHOWMAN? THE MYTHS OF JIM MORRISON FROM AN AESTHETIC ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Richárd Papp
Studia Humanistyczne/Studia Humanistyczne AGH 2022 DOI: 10.7494/human.2022.21.1.75 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that Jim Morrison created a "personal shamanism" that fundamentally determined his art and image, and that his self-ironic self-definition as both "shaman" and "showman" contained an unresolved contradiction in his life. The paper contends that his art divided audiences and critics during his lifetime and continues to do so, and examines how the "Jim Morrison myth" that emerged after his death can be placed within the meanings of the mythology of modernity. |
Abstract
The study deals with the concepts of Jim Morrison's art from the perspective of the myths surrounding Morrison, especially his "self-made shamanism".Morrison created a "personal shamanism" that basically determined his art and image.The study explores how and why Morrison created his own myth and built shamanistic elements into his songs, poems, and performances.The paper also touches on the connections between Morrison's ideas and show business.According to Morrison's self-definition, which is self-ironic, he was, among other roles, both a "shaman" and a "showman".At the same time, these roles also contained one of the unresolved contradictions of his life.In his concert performances he repeatedly reproached his audience, and he repeatedly fell into conflicts within the "games" of show business, including with those who use rock music for political purposes, managers, businessmen, and even his own band-mates.His art divided audiences and critics, and it continues to divide them to this day.Whit this in mind, the study brings up examples of the "Jim Morrison myth" after his death and tries to place this myth within the meanings of the mythology of modernity.