Monday, 22 October 2012

Context of Practice: Seminar 2 - The Gaze

Key points:


  • looking at women in an objective manner
  • we are the subject looking at others as an object eg. as a student, or blonde
  • Hans Memling 'Vanity':
    • her gaze is being turned back on herself, makes us feel more comfortable, no eye contact, she's not judging you for looking or judging you with her gaze
    • 1500's nude painted by a men until 19th century
    • Images painted for a man - wrote about my men (beautiful, classical art, the female form is atheistic and delicate)
    • justify the male objectification of women but retain any status of class and without feeling guilty
    • her traits - passive, docile - the ideals of men
    • subserviants to the male - society insists women to have these traits
    • wants to be gazed at
    • the title 'Vanity' - she is looking at herself, mocks the women for being vain
  • 'The ways of seeing' - tv series
  • Same ideas in society today - people like Katie Price
    • presented as stupid, sex object, mocked at, vain, wants to be looked at and please men
  • 1863

    • The Salon, gallery/exhibition in France
    • Both images were displayed
    • One accepted and one was rejected
    • One was looking away and one was looking at you
      • it was confrontational, uncomfortable, challenging power
      • other allows men to look and justify there power and status
    • The hand on the gentile area is defensive and a barrier whereas the other one doesn't - the object is in power
    • The other one is a scene of love with the cherubs floating above
    • It challenged society as the women had a position of power
  • Hand isn't pushing down, placed softly almost teasing
  • Laying petals down on the bed, lounging waiting for her husband
  • This has a dog - mens best friend 
    • the other has a cat - independent
  • The maid is looking after the kids
    • the other image has a maid waiting on her bringing her gifts of people who have fallen in love with her
    • 50's
    • passive position similar to old paintings
    • soft gaze looking at you
    • the story - 'my hobby is men'
    • 'hypnotic - cure for frigidity' - women is the problem not the man
  • Women primarily be concerned in appearing for men, looking sexy, the domestic person
  • Social control - domination of women
eg. 


  • Product is for women but aimed at men:
    • a power in the gaze - looking at you but doesn't care
    • assertive femininity - doesn't matter that she can't cook she's still successful
    • mens way of seeing the ad - initial comment is that she can't cook - disappointing but she makes up with it being a sex object instead
    • clever advert - applies to men and women
      • men - can turn there women in to this passive figure
      • women - can go against the domestic idea




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