7th December 2015
Today's lecture by Jeremy Spencer touched a topic of feminisms' origin and movement waves across Europe. It was very useful and interesting and most of all, highly relevant in art and design field. Its principles and controversy are present in advertising where graphics are very affected. The lecturer has explained the theory really effectively, by using its visual reflection the whole way through. Very complex topic, but really well-structured.
''Feminism means the wish to end the subordination of woman to men in society.''
The First Wave of feminism faces issues such as: women restriction in property ownership (only inheritance and no real independence), no legal protection against sexual violence, discrimination in the workplace (lower payment for the same job as men, no allowance for maternity leave or applying for particular jobs).
There are different ways of understanding the representation of gender:
Stereotypes (guilt-ridden mother, self-indulgent flapper; sexist)
Collusion (femininity being elevated in some way)
Compensation (images manipulating women's consent to their subordination)
Recuperation (images negating or diffusing challenges to dominant - patriarchal meaning of gender).
The new way of thinking and feminist movement emerged in 1960s in America as anti-war and anti-colonial radical students rebellions ('Women of the world unite' banner'). It has considered gender as an organizing aspect for culture of society. It claimed that till then, men was favoured over women and that women are oppressed by empowered male. It was claimed that this is not natural, but cultural, social and historical process which can change. It was against women being a sexual consumer's objects in popular culture. Feminism has questioned and problematized several issues and demanded equal rights with man, opposed to traditional paternal exemplar of societies and everything within them (language, religion, culture, art). For change, post-feminism considers women as empowered individuals who can manage any activities that used to involve only men. Role of the women has changed a lot, especially during the middle of 20th and in the 21st century. Women are artists as much as men are; building and renovating houses, doing businesses, driving buses etc. Often dads look after children while ladies are at work. The washing machines and vacuum cleaners are not necessarily defining only woman role (house wife stereotype). In my opinion it's still relevant and happens in many families that I could simply point if required. I think, nowadays male side is more aware and considerate about equality and sharing obligations.
Feminism had appeared through several waves and there're few different kinds of the movement. There is radical feminism (foundation, all men=potential rapists and abusers); liberal feminism (equal rights); Marxist and socialist feminism (oppression of women=capitalist/private property system).
Women are obviously different physically from men (closer to nature, defined by body and ability to give birth), but they're also very different psychologically.
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| The Three Graces (1639) Peter Paul Rubens Museo del Prado, Spain |
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| Venus at a Mirror (1615) Peter Paul Rubens Liechtenstein Museum, Wenen |
Two paintings above by Peter Paul Rubens, Baroque artist, represent a woman in his easily recognizable Rubenesque style (well-rounded bodies, blond hair). They are shown as ideals of beauty of their time, goddesses (mythological and allegorical aspects).
Women had to claim and demand their rights for many centuries, as a lot of them were previously exclusive just for men. Slowly women achieved their rights being equal with men. In 1970s feminism demanded complete control over own body (individual decisions regarding to pregnancy; abortion, contraception). It was claimed that women are exploited by man.
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| Annie Kenney and Christabel Pankhurst campaigning for women's suffrage |
In 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada SlutWalk movement appeared after police officer commentary about woman avoiding dressing up like sluts. It became an international protest calling for an end of rape culture, especially against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman's appearance; the way she looks, behaves or dresses. The examples of banners used in the young women march were very clear and simple: ''It's a dress, not a yes.'' or ''Yes means yes and No means no.''
Am I a feminist? - I was not sure 100% what options are included in that question at first. I was never really into this topic too much, I mean feminist movement theories. Well all I knew that it's sort of against man and of course it could be just against injustice and inequality or actually against men as a group in all aspects. Personally I have had rather positive relation with male side in general. I think a lot of the time I get on even better with them than with the female side. Sometimes it's maybe easier for me to communicate and deal with men but... thinking about it.... two of my best friends are female... I think it depends more on personality not as much on sex. Well reading more about it I am definitely not a feminist or I am but only in particular issues. I agree that rights between man and woman should be equal and depending on required skills and knowledge, in case of employment for instance. I don't see a reason why woman wouldn't be able to take any role originally designed and destined just for men. I think men can do a great job at home stereotyped to be a female role (of course apart of giving birth and breastfeeding; although even breast milk can be now pumped out into the bottles and stored for few hours). I also want to add that becoming a mother doesn't permanently close social life and anything really that woman wants to do in life, perhaps depending only on determination, organization and level of commitment to motherhood. I think having a baby brings one of the most amazing feelings a woman can ever experience. It's indescribable and truly beautiful from its very beginning. I have now very personal perspective when talking about it. After having a baby myself and giving myself time to enjoy the new role, I have managed to start university. I got to know quite a few people who are parents and students in the same time. Some businesses can me managed easily from home. And yeah a lot of ladies start their own businesses. Technology went so far now that in my opinion only thing that can stop us from realizing most of our dreams is ourselves. Men and women are both equally relevant. We complete each other as human kind. It reminds me of very famous Polish comedy science fiction action film entitled ''Sexmission'' (Polish: Seksmisja) from 1984. The two protagonists, Max and Albert, wake up in an oppressive feminist society of post-nuclear world in 2044. Farce, politics and gender dynamics are blended together in this production.
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| 'Sexmission' poster 1984 |
Rape or any form of abuse against women or men is a crime and I agree it touches mostly women indeed. It cannot be excused. I do not tolerate any sort of violence like that. However I think some form of female clothing can be inappropriate in particular ages or places; it can become purely provocative or even quite disgraceful. I think women should have those boundaries with dressing up purely for themselves to know their value and feel sexy, comfortable with their bodies, but not by purposely overdoing their fashion appearance and overexposing themselves. I think it may be more often sign of weakness as well...when the body is confident but mind isn't.
There are aspects of feminism I disagree with. I am rather quite old school person and I enjoy traditions and traditional gender issues in society. I think world is going well to far with breaking convention and allowing everything possible these days, I think it turns upside down and starts to choke on wrong understanding of freedom in all aspects.
I don't think homosexual relationships are a right thing, however I respect them as a human and I do have friends gays. Although I disagree couples like that should be able to adopt children. I strongly disagree with new gender theories of not defining child sex and let it chose either to boy or a girl. I am strongly against abortion. I think it's a murder of unborn child and it cannot be called anything else in any circumstances. I am possibly follower of Christian feminism which reinterpret and understand Christianity as the equality of women and men. There isn't a discrimination, it should be partnership and fulfilment between a couple.
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| Sarah Maple The Opposite to a Feminist (2009) C-Type, photograph Signs series |
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| Sarah Maple Signs series (2007) C-Type, photograph |
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| Sarah Maple Menstruate with Pride (2010-11) Oil on canvas |
As strong or possibly even more brave imagery comes from Sarah Lucas and Judy Chicago. ''Bitch''
by Sarah Lucas (another British artist) immediately suggests a woman bending over forwards. It provocatively exposes female sexual organs by placing melons and fish within the white t-shirt puled over the wooden table.
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| Sarah Lucas Bitch (1995) |
Judy Chicago, American feminist artist, breaks taboo of menstruation by making ''Red Flag'' showing up the body detail and a particular moment of bloody tampon removal (self-portrait). It's totally shameless and possibly a bit disturbing, but also really powerful. I think the image is very strong and gets its point and actually becomes a piece of art.
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| Judy Chicago Red Flag (1971) Photo-lithograph, 20" x 24" (Photo © Donald Woodman) |
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| Judy Chicago The Dinner Party (1979) Brooklyn Museum |
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| Henri Matisse The Painter and his Model (1917) Oil on canvas Museum of Modern Art, Paris |
''The painter and his Model'' by Henri Matisse emphasizes passive, objectified position of woman in art. While man body is actively creative, female is only an inspiration for pleasure and desire.; woman exists in art as a raw material for man to receive. There seems to be no place for woman's self-expression. The painting also shows basic elements of art making while interacting with a model - there is no lust, passion or touch from either side. It's professional process of studio painting (artist himself and Laurette, the model); ideal conditions for modern art making. Matisse decides to juxtapose his subjects in very unusual way. He paints himself unclothed while his feminine model is fully dressed. Masculine body of the painter can be perhaps associated with Apollonian intelligence, beauty and creativity.
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| Robert Doisneau Un regard Oblique (1948) |
According to Freud little boys apparently believes that he could be mutilated and that male gaze is natural reaction of trying to overcome the threat of potential castration. The Dior J'adore advert seems to use the fetish aspect from Freud's theories where the bottle of perfume signifies completion and satisfaction of a woman in relation to the brand. Woman's look shows her desire for the product, a sex symbol. It's made to be very sensual as a whole, the appearance and body language of the subject and the matching bottle. Golden colour also suggests luxury. In the same time it may raise the sphere of male's alienation and possibly anxiety (Freud terms). Other person would say... a woman's image is appropriated as a commodity to be consumed. In relation to male's phantasy, female figure is styled accordingly. However as women I think we want to be attractive and match these phantasies in a way. It works both ways and attract us to buy a product.
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Carmen Kass for JB Mondino
(1999)
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Advertising evokes feminist ideas and theories quite a lot and usually not in a serious way. It also uses stereotypes relating to woman. Some ads send the messages that women generally enjoy. A lot of behaviours are determined and driven (often unconsciously) by early habits (for a reason there is a name of fair sex; inspiration like ancient Graces, women always supposed to be desired and admired by men). I wouldn't say it's harmful or disturbing unless it pushes the boundaries and reveals sexism problem, gender rivalry or domination (such as American Apparel ads - their inappropriateness made me speechless). Another example of male domination responding to a fear of woman (Freud) appears in some Hollywood movies by A. Hitchcock as sadistic punishment. A female often becomes no more than erotic object for a spectator; mystified, colonized and alien for male's fantasy.
So to sum up, I think that human rights should be equal to both men and women. I also think everything should have healthy boundaries (especially advertising which doesn't consider children being raised within inappropriateness of their product). Attractivity is subjective. Feminism deals with problem of sexism and its ongoing struggle which surely will continue.
References:
Beuningen, M. (2015). Sarah Lucas - Bitch - 1995. [online] Collectie2008.boijmans.nl. Available at: http://collectie2008.boijmans.nl/en/work/BEK%201678%20a-g%20(MK) [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
Judychicago.com, (2015). The Dinner Party Gallery » Gallery » Judy Chicago. [online] Available at: http://www.judychicago.com/gallery.php?name=The+Dinner+Party+Gallery [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
Sarah Maple, (2015). New Page. [online] Available at: http://www.sarahmaple.com/ [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
Spencer, J. (2015). Feminism and Visuality.
Staleywise.com, (2015). Robert Doisneau. [online] Available at: http://www.staleywise.com/collection/doisneau/doisneau_1.html [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
The Guardian, (2015). SlutWalks | World news | The Guardian. [online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/slutwalks [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
Wikipedia, (2015). Peter Paul Rubens. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Paul_Rubens [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
Wikipedia, (2015). The Painter and His Model. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Painter_and_His_Model [Accessed 10 Dec. 2015].
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