The Gags and the Political(?)

So I've been thinking a lot about The Gags.(pronounced gahhgs/gawgs)
Lady Gaga. Lady G.
(instead of Miley Cyrus. yes, it's true.)

I think about Gaga when I am walking to work and when I am pondering in my bed (this is one of those times).

I am thinking about the way that she is so freaking bizarre, but then in a way, the way that she is creating performance art is not so bizarre. I think there is something about performance art that is supposed to be bizarre, outlandish, and you shouldprobablycoveryoureyeswithamonsterheadddress (think badromance).

I am also thinking about the paparazzi video, in which The Gags is made up in different forms of glamdalized disabled attire/accessories, like wheelchairs, crutches, neck brace, etc.

obviously much of this stuff that she puts out into the ether can be perceived as problematic, and i might be able to agree with that. is it ok for her to glamourize dead female bodies? violence against women? hang out and dance around in crutches like that was her experience? is it transcendent or cheap?

these are things that make me wonder about LadyGaga. what is art and what is political and what is progress and what is unguided gawkery for the sake of fame? I mean it has to be said that she is making piles of cash for making "freaks" feel cool.

After seeing how much she needed to be part of the National Equality March, was a key note speaker there, and was responsible for a lot of the publicity, I think maybe The Gags. is trying to make a statement. with all the bizarre-o-ity.

Is this goddess worship?

here is what The Gags, had to say herself. On Ellen. of course.




I remember when The Gags first came out, I had to ask my sisters and mother what they thought of Lady G since I had never heard/talkedabout/shookmyass to Gaga outside of a queer setting, her work is quite queer-ious. Partly my doing and perspective and choice to isolate myself in queerworld, but also part hers I think. Something about her is queer. something "freak"-y. something bizarreperformatic. and something like a drag queen. (i love her because she looks like a dragqueen most of the time and I want/love/wish/dream/feelasthoughmyfemme identity is a dragqueen)

It's the "freak"iness that I love. that she is acting like the outcasted "freak" in high fashion. making freakiness look sexy. (it is sexy, actually, and some of us have been doing it for a long time)

but then, is it still freaky when its Lady Gaga and she's on MTV, the VMAs, Ellen? Is it a new way to make fun of freaks? is it freakiness to appeal to the masses? Is she trying to speak to or for ability politics? queer politics? consumerism? sexism?

and this is what keeps me up at night.

before you decide, also, please, watch this video --> (before The Gags was The Gags, she was Norah Jones at NYU)

"Fame is our felony; were so in love with it.
Some superstars and masochists who dont know
Where to go."
--Stefani Germanotta (aka LadyGags)