'according to usage and conventions which are at last being questioned but have by no means been overcome - men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at’ (Berger 1972, 45, 47)
Discuss this quote with reference to one work of art and one work from the contemporary media
This quote by Berger suggests that the portrayal of women is being questioned, however the foundation of this view will never really be overcome, there is a questioning but not a shift away from this representation. Women will constantly be viewed in this way, they know people are looking at them and they are on display. Men are presented as strong, dominant figures and women are posing.
The body positioning in 'Birth of Venus' reveals most of her body and only a little bit of her head, she looks as if she has awoken from sleep. Her face slightly covered by her hand as if she is being coy, the positioning of her body contradicts this. According to the quote and this view she knows that the viewer is looking and the body positioning and composition of the image invites us to look at her. Her arm over her head creates a relaxed feeling as if she enjoys being there to be looked at. The woman, surrounded by cherubs, admiring her figure in the middle of the ocean.
There are countless advertisements for clothes, perfumes and all sorts that represent women in the way Berger describes as a convention. This Calvein Klein advertisement presents the woman's body and figure to be looked at and displayed. As the quote comments she 'appears', she is still, with her gaze fixed to the viewer. She knows the viewer is looking and is carefully positioned so the viewer can look at her body. The woman is objectified, the pose seems simple however behind it is a lot of planning. She is 'watching herself being looked at'. The image is not subtle, its as if she is just waiting to be looked at constantly, this image constructed for the male gaze.
No comments:
Post a Comment