Monday, November 20, 2006
Safe and Sexy, a photo essay from The Walrus, a mainstream Canadian magazine:
"This past summer, Sarah Hughes travelled to Halifax, Quebec City, Victoriaville, Toronto, and Winnipeg to photograph women in two outfits of their choosing — the first one 'comfortable and safe,' the second 'attractive and sexy.' She then invited each of her subjects to talk about these dual identities."The difference between the two is obvious from the woman's perspective, although the explanations vary. But to my male gaze, that difference is mostly marginal, & in several instances "safe" is sexier. If the subject is not aware of that, should she be informed? The cumulative effect is to bring attention back to Hughes as the artist who chose these particular women for her portraits, & how she challenges the male gaze. It's a feminist document; a project she began 7 years ago.
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"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson
With the exception of the woman in the black dress and fabulous hat, ALL of the women look better in their "safe" clothes.
Of more interest is what they reveal in the narrative. I noted especially the woman for whom the sexual invisibility of weight was a relief. Having been on both sides of that dynamic, I found it very disconcerting to still be the same person but suddenly men were noticing me just because I was thinner. It annoyed me especially because of the hardship and the denial I had to go through to get there.
Of course now that I'm over 50, I don't worry about it anymore. :)
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Of more interest is what they reveal in the narrative. I noted especially the woman for whom the sexual invisibility of weight was a relief. Having been on both sides of that dynamic, I found it very disconcerting to still be the same person but suddenly men were noticing me just because I was thinner. It annoyed me especially because of the hardship and the denial I had to go through to get there.
Of course now that I'm over 50, I don't worry about it anymore. :)
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