Practices of Looking
This week we are examining the practices of looking, and how
photographs make use of power dynamics to alter the way we
process an image. Philosopher Jacques Derrida has argued that
all binary oppositions are encoded with values and concepts of power,
superiority, and worth. Racism and sexism both both play a part in
concepts of dominance and superiority, and we see examples of this
everyday in advertising and commercials.
photographs make use of power dynamics to alter the way we
process an image. Philosopher Jacques Derrida has argued that
all binary oppositions are encoded with values and concepts of power,
superiority, and worth. Racism and sexism both both play a part in
concepts of dominance and superiority, and we see examples of this
everyday in advertising and commercials.
The gaze, as described by our textbook is imperative to the power
dynamics we establish:
dynamics we establish:
“The gaze, whether institutional or individual, thus helps to establish
relationships of power. The act of looking is commonly regarded as
awarding more power to the person who is looking than to the person
who is the object of the look.” (Sturken 111)
relationships of power. The act of looking is commonly regarded as
awarding more power to the person who is looking than to the person
who is the object of the look.” (Sturken 111)
Edward Said emphasized the idea that Asian culture is subject to
being falsely represented because of how dominant their culture
and history has been. In contemporary popular culture we constantly
see Arab men depicted as terrorists, and Asian women being highly
sexualized.
being falsely represented because of how dominant their culture
and history has been. In contemporary popular culture we constantly
see Arab men depicted as terrorists, and Asian women being highly
sexualized.
“Orientalism, describing the tendencies of westerners who have fetished,
mythologized, and feared the cultures, lands, and peoples of Asia and
the Middle East.” (Sturken 113)
mythologized, and feared the cultures, lands, and peoples of Asia and
the Middle East.” (Sturken 113)
The textbook focuses mainly on paintings to represent Orientalism,
and many paintings of the past contained sexist and orientalist views.
One such genre of art widely recognized as masterpieces in history is
the female nude.
and many paintings of the past contained sexist and orientalist views.
One such genre of art widely recognized as masterpieces in history is
the female nude.
An image of the female body does not necessarily exist to present a
power dynamic but in many European pieces, the female is viewed while
the artist and the collector is the viewer. This is shown in the example of the
The Colonial Harem in the book. The image represents the colonial gaze
and the objectification of the women by the colonial power. “In the book
The Colonial Harem, Malek Alloula shows that the figure of the harem woman
was invoked in France as a visual and Literary icon of female sexual submission
among painters and photographers enmeshed in the broader tradition of
Orientalism in arts and sciences.” (Sturken 116)
power dynamic but in many European pieces, the female is viewed while
the artist and the collector is the viewer. This is shown in the example of the
The Colonial Harem in the book. The image represents the colonial gaze
and the objectification of the women by the colonial power. “In the book
The Colonial Harem, Malek Alloula shows that the figure of the harem woman
was invoked in France as a visual and Literary icon of female sexual submission
among painters and photographers enmeshed in the broader tradition of
Orientalism in arts and sciences.” (Sturken 116)
These concepts and values are embedded into many of the images we
view today. According to Roland Barthes, “Historical meanings are
reproduced in the codes and conventions we use, whether producers
intend these meanings to be there or not. And whether any given spectator
explicitly notices them or not.”
view today. According to Roland Barthes, “Historical meanings are
reproduced in the codes and conventions we use, whether producers
intend these meanings to be there or not. And whether any given spectator
explicitly notices them or not.”
For this week, please find a photograph, advertisement, or painting
that displays some sort of power dynamic and explain how it functions.
These could be gender related, wealth, race, etc. What was the image
used for and how did they use Orientalism and/or the gaze to express
that purpose?
that displays some sort of power dynamic and explain how it functions.
These could be gender related, wealth, race, etc. What was the image
used for and how did they use Orientalism and/or the gaze to express
that purpose?
In this example, male dominance plays a large role in the advertisement.
The woman is positioned under the man to show that the man is in control,
and there are multiple men positioned around the woman looking down on her.
When looking for examples, think about the position of the actors and how that
could contribute to a possible power dynamic.
The woman is positioned under the man to show that the man is in control,
and there are multiple men positioned around the woman looking down on her.
When looking for examples, think about the position of the actors and how that
could contribute to a possible power dynamic.
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