Thursday, 31 October 2013

COP Lecture - The Gaze and The Media

Again this was a very interesting lecture, this year I am definitely more interested in what the lectures have to say about the weekly themes.  I am always charged by the deeper thinking that actually has an outcome at the end of it, a concept or an idea like 'the gaze' has had a massive impact through out society today. I'm also enjoying the fact I am writing down little reminders for myself to go and research some of these the people/concepts mentioned.

Lecture Notes
'according to usage and conventions..' - Berger 1972

Not saying women are vain, women internalise the gaze of them selQf's. See them self's in the way they see images around them.

Hans Memling - 'Vanity' (1485)
Hold an impossible reflection of her face. Because she holds a mirror of her self nude its ok for us to look.

Statue also published 'Hammer of Witches' harsh on women anything not ideal of the time. Lose, lose tests.

Birth of Venus 1863
Same thing, partially covering her eyes meaning we are left as the viewer to gaze at her, almost invited.

Sophie Dahl for Opium advert was deemed for being too sexual. Image is turned portrait

Titans Venus of Urbino 1538
Eyes indicate a side glance, flirtatious. The curtain shows a secret place that we are aloud to view.

Olympia - Manet 1863
More of a challenge position, hand positions are stopping you from viewing purposely. Manet is celebrating a powerful female figure.

Gorilla girls advertisement, "Do women have to be naked to get into to the met. Museum."

Le Grand Odalisque - Ingres 1813

Bar at the Folies Bergeres - Manet
We see a false reflection again, can see her whole back. She is excluded from the Paris society, highlights Paris night life at the time.

Pictiure for Women - Jeff Wall 1979
Camera separates the two subjects (as Manet). He reminds us this isn't a window, its constructed.

The Look 1984
The camera in contemporary media has been put to use as an extension of the male gaze at women on the streets. Sunglasses means the gaze cannot be returned.

Eva Herzigova - Wonder Bra
Looking at the people below, once again no gaze returned.

Peeping Tom 1960
Women can be considered as objects because of this profusion. Theme is voyeurism. Objectification taking to an extreme.

Studies 1940s films in a Fraudian way, females in the film are never leading the narrative. Always passive/reactive to the male characters.

"In the darkness of the cinema one cannot be seen"

Old Mistresses - Griselds Pollocks
Judith Beheading Holofernes 1620

Your Gaze Hits The Side of My Face - Barbara Kruger 1981

Eating a Banana - Sarah Lucas 1990
Numerous work that has a serious message. Regards us with a challenging look "what are you looking at"

Why is important to challenge the gaze?

Caroline Lucas MP in June 2013 for "No more page three".

Criado Perez received around 50 threats a day via twitter involving rape and murder.

On Photography - Susan Sontag 1979

Reality Television
We as a viewer are the all seeing eye, and have the power to change it. Double layer of contestants being a aware. Big Brother.

'Looking is not indifferent. There can never be any question of 'just looking' - Victor Bergin 1982

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