1. http://www.smilespedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/pickup-line.gif
2. http://bennettcarnahan.files.wordpress.com
/2008/03/a9739king-kong-posters.jpg
3. http://aranes.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/lady-gaga.jpg
4. http://www.itcamefrommars.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/celebrity-pictures-ernie-bert-happily-married.jpg
5. http://thecia.com.au/reviews/h/images/holy-mountain-la-montana-sagrada-1.jpg
I chose these five images because they display characters that are being questioned about their sexuality or portrayed as sexual objects. The sexuality of these characters is questioned by viewers because the characters don’t fit the “normal” heterosexual lifestyle or norm we assume or expect. The women in these images are objectified by men and are seen as possessions. Bert and Ernie are fictional muppets that have been questioned for many years about their sexuality, even though they are not real.
Kipnis believes that social hierarchy in sexual behavior and class is being culturally examined when it comes to sexuality and how it should be expressed. Kipnis states how Hustler uses “grotesque” images to make the viewers uncomfortable but curious enough to question/explore more. I believe these images that I have posted do the same thing. There are always multiple ways to read an image. For example, the Polygamy image with two naked women being embraced by an overpowering male could be seen as a sexual explicit image that is showing a males fantasy or a male dominated image that shows the power and privilege a male has over two women while the women are powerless, bound by male domination, and stripped of their clothing.
King Kong is viewed in the same “black” male dominating way. I’ve analyzed King Kong in a film class and realized how racial this film is. King Kong is a represented “black” male that has a sexual lust for a white female. The white female is viewed as an object the Kong and is fondled by the ape. She is powerless while Kong sniffs her and tears her clothing off. The sexual behavior in this film focuses on the race between the two male characters who are trying to fight over the women like a possession to be won.
The cartoon comic is depicting a male that has power over a woman and deceives her. The female character in this comic is a white female. Kipnis said that upper class females and males are more affected by dirty jokes. This joke is dim-witted and demeans women by stating at the bottom “Don’t Fall for This.” This not only degrades women but it also demonstrates how women don’t have power or common sense.
Penley discusses not only hierarchy, humiliation, and a trashy class; but how sexual roles and culture are formed and displayed throughout our culture. Sexual roles are created and reinforced by media. Ideas are formed about how males and females are supposed to act. Bert and Ernie defy sexual roles and expectations. Bert and Ernie are two males that live together in the same household on Sesame Street. Because they are defying cultural norms their sexuality has came into question. These are fictional characters that the public is starting to examine on a sexual level.
Lady Gaga is being questioned about her sexuality recently, which has currently become common in the recent years. I feel that Lady Gaga is being questioned more about her sexuality without any real cause because she is a woman. Yes, Adam Lambert is being questioned about his sexuality but that was only after he kissed a male dancer on a live show. Lady Gaga was being questioned by Barbara Walters.
Magnet discusses cyber feminism and how there are two types: cybertopian and cyberdystopian. The first one sees cyber sex as freedom of expression or liberation and the other one sees cyber sex as exploitation. Lady Gaga being questioned by Walters about her sexuality feels like exploitation of sexual information. Lady Gaga shouldn’t have been asked that because I feel that women are being seen more objectified lately to sell music. And the women are being more criticized and examined when it comes to sexual acts, performing, and sexual orientation.
These three reading really helped me understand how images of sexuality are viewed differently. The feminism gaze made me view some images differently in a sexual context.
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