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Lowenna Waters
Jun 18, 2018
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YouTube
If you don't live under a stone, or in another galaxy, then you'll be aware that the Carters have dropped a brand new album, Everything is Love, and it's popping.
One of the new tracks from the album, 'Ape--t', which dropped on 16 June, sees Beyoncé and her husband Jay Z rapping and singing together in the most famous art museum in the world, The Louvre.
Now, someone has given the video an art history analysis and it's great. Basically, by placing themselves in the Louvre, Beyoncé and Jay Z are reclaiming a typically white space for a black audience - and showing how they've been phenomenally successful in the face of institutional racism.
Twitter user It's Me Curly broke down the video masterpiece by masterpiece, and explained it in 20 tweets. We've selected the highlights below.
Y’all this #Apeshit video has me losing my shit. This moment right here is the fulfillment of my art history degree… https://t.co/Ky90PldDnz— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529210296
Basically, Beyoncé and Jay Z have MADE IT.
1) The visual and lyrical message of #Apeshit is that Beyoncé and Jay-Z have MADE IT. They own the motherfucking Lo… https://t.co/rnkRc5maGk— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529210572
Queen Bey is the Mona Lisa (of modern times).
2) The first shot of the duo is in front of the Mona Lisa, the most recognizable portrait in the museum. People fro… https://t.co/ZhQyLWWza3— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529211028
She also models herself as both the Ancient Greek statue of Victory, and Venus de Milo, therefore dismantling white notions of beauty.
4) Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace, an Ancient Greek statue of the goddess of Victory. Beyoncé’s costuming mimi… https://t.co/WcgNkEJzmW— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529211716
5) Here, Beyoncé once again models herself as a Greek statue, this time the Venus de Milo. However, in this shot sh… https://t.co/2yFWU0hhFG— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529212125
She also takes on colonialism.
6) Most of the art featured in this video is from the Neoclassical period, meaning the Napoleonic era. Reminder, Na… https://t.co/Qmzjl1cuQQ— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529212530
7) In this painting Napoleon is crowning his wife Josephine empress, a moment chosen to highlight his supposedly go… https://t.co/AdB6lA6wVc— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529213100
8) Josephine is clad in fine French silks and velvets and Beyoncé is slaying in Burberry. She’s empress and Jay-Z i… https://t.co/dSkRinIsgk— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529213396
Now, she asserts female creation and black independence.
12) This is a portrait of Juliette Récamier by David. She hosted one of the most popular salons in the city and was… https://t.co/HfDrARsyCF— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529215253
13) Benoist’s Portrait of a Black Woman is one of the only portraits of black women in the history of Western art u… https://t.co/5d4TbT41mM— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529216016
To sum up, 'Apes--t' is an acknowledgement of the Carters' phenomenal success in the face of current and historical oppression.
18) Essentially, #Apeshit is not only a brilliant celebration of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s success but a self-aware ackno… https://t.co/pKyoELjGA4— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529218102
19) This is apparent in the lyrics “I can’t believe we made it” and “This is what we’re thankful for.” Beyoncé rec… https://t.co/cDAqXCHvdi— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529218266
BOW DOWN!
20) She is the Queen. Her vision is unmatched. Also she rented out the motherfucking Louvre. What a goddess. Intell… https://t.co/QGLr79gARe— queen curly fry (@queen curly fry) 1529218505
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