Imaginary media: a case study of the symbolic recycling of celebrities

Abstract

The present research has aimed to understand the recycling of olympian archetype by contemporary celebrities. To achieve this goal we decided to carry out an exploratory research, through the case study of mediatic trajectory of Geisy Arruda (former student of Uniban’s tourism science, known for being kicked out of college after cause a tumult by wearing a short dress at Uniban). The research is based on the theories of mass culture, proposed by Edgar Morin, and on the concepts of celebrity, described by Chris Rojek. Above all, we think this discussion from the contemporary symbols that feed the myths and archetypes, which underpin and composes the imaginary. For facts and patterns identified along the trajectory of Geisy, we can infer that the former does not reach the top of the fame, the Olympus. She survives through a relationship of symbiosis with celebrities already consolidated, a superficial representation (Meme) and highlighting, midiaticamente, his private life, especially that which concerns the eroticism.