Grand Themes

Grand Themes

Seminar, debate and 1000 word written assignment

Representation of Sexuality in Photography.

Representation, is not to hold a mirror up and reflect the exact nature of a scene; representation is affected by the community and culture in which the representation is created and shared. It is therefore an insight into the minds of others.
In considering the representation of sexuality in photography, there are a number of issues or points that could be made;
Sexuality of who, what gender or sexual persuasion
Metaphor and euphemism
Sex sales and the advertising standards that are adhered to
Se and sexuality as art and as communication
The culture, law and society in which the image was made
The audience is was intended for
Erotica v's pornography
Queer Theory
Feminism
Religion and the effect it has on views and beliefs
Symbology & semiotics
Censorship
Freedom of views/speech

For my part in the class wide task I will be exploring feminist views regarding pornography and the following page will contain explicit images.

Links

araki-interviewed-by-jerome.

Araki interviewed by Nan Golding

Guy Bourdin

Andrea Dworkin

Advertising Standards Authority

Terry Richards

Nan Golding Interview

I have been exploring the different feminist views in relation to pornography and more generally in terms of erotic of sexually charged images.

Feminism is a movement or view that incorporates several different stand points which have evolved over a considerable period of time, because of this it is easy for people to have a mis-guided view of feminism as a whole, and from my research there are distincley different views held by feminists regarding pornography.
It is apparent, that little discussion occurs amongst the differing view points, with each extreme almost pitted against their opponents, turning on fellow women rather than the system and culture that they disagree with.
Wendy Stock likened her pro-sex opponents to concentration camp prisoners who identify with their jailers (Stock, 1990 cited by McElroy, 2002)

Using legal cases of brutality as evidence to support their theory, the anti-porn movement insist that all porn (and even amongst them they have differing opinions on what classifies as porn) from written historical pieces to modern day 'mainstream' porn films are based upon the physical and psychological damage to women through economic coercion. It is also argued that the content itself is violent in nature.
Gail Dines holds the view that it is made by men, for men and "if nothing else, their hatred of us is quite clear" (Dines 2007)
Used as evidence is the case of actress Linda Boreman who had stared in pornographic movies. She claims to have been beaten, raped and pimped by her husband, and forced, by both physical and emotional means, to make such movies. (Boreman has spoken at many feminist rallies about her situation)

There is also an argument, that in this genre, women are repeatedly represented as stereotypical characters, or reduced to receptacles to receive a man for his pleasure, and shown in subordinate roles within the context of the image or film.
Within this realm of feminism, the definition that was defined by MacKinnon reads 'the graphic sexually explicit subordination of women through pictures or words' (MacKinnon 1984)

Another view, expressed by Alice Swhwarzer, is that pornography perpetuates a distorted view of the reality of the human body and sexuality, for men and women. That the sex act itself is also distorted often showing exaggerated expressions or highly surgically altered bodes.

Liberal feminism embraces the sexual freedom of the gender, and pornography is a medium by which women can express their own sexuality and shape the industry and outputs. That they can willingly participate and consume pornography.
They argue that many pornographic images and films, show women in dominating roles, as a symbol of adornment. Pornography is a medium which undermines some of the issues which these feminists object to, including the notion that women don't like sex generally or only enjoy 'vanilla sex' or sex within the confines of a stable relationship.
They also make the argument that in the pornographic industry, there are many more body shapes that that seen within the fashion industry, or even mainstream TV and film.

There is then the issue of censorship, regardless of their stance on pornography, most feminists are opposed to the idea of censorship.
Feminists for Free Expression (FFE) state in their mission statement 'censorship has never reduced violence, but historically been used to silence women and stifle social change' (n.d.)
There is a documented case in Canada, which in 'protecting women' restricted the import of material, books that were seized included Dworkins (an anti porn feminist) works, but she used the situation to voice her opinions further "There is not a feminist alive who could possibly look to the male legal system for real protection from the systematised sadism of men." (Dworkin, 1992 cited by McElroy, 2002)

And in order to govern or censor content one must also define the boundaries of what is, or isn't pornography.
Ellen Willis, a pro pornography feminist wrote ' Erotica' is needlessly vague and euphemistic, and appeals to an idealised version of what kind of sex people should want rather than what arouses the sexual feelings people actually have' (1979)
The general western view is that pornography is usually made with the sole purpose of enticing sexual arousal in the viewer, whilst having a positive financial outcome on the maker.
Erotica however, is usually less concerned with a financial transaction but includes an aesthetic or an expressive emotional context or message.
The ultimate definition seems to be in the hands of the creator and the purpose for which the work was made, and the ultimate use the reader puts it to - which can also cause issues if the former varies from the latter.

Andrea Dworkin was of the opinion that the term pornography should apply to all commercially produced erotic material extending as far to include Greek Literature.

I agree with elements from all the feminist viewpoints. I believe that as a woman, I should have the choice to be involved in, view and explore sexually charged and arousing images if I so choose, but that the distribution of such images should be within the confines of the prevailing law in terms of age restrictions and the sexual acts themselves.

Like any industry, a woman or a man at work should be able to do so in a safe environment which encourages the best possible output; and that human beings in general are capable of corruption, mistreatment, bullying and violence, it is not something that unfortunately is held within the confines of the pornographic industry.

I also believe that in the last 50 years, the culture in which we exist has changed so rapidly, that feminism is in danger of becoming antiquated and not in touch with the people it claims to serve. As women and men redefine their roles by being open about matters of sexuality, sexual persuasion and personal preference, the media which is sought will reflect the community around them. Will this lead to images that are less concerned with tradition subordinate stereotypes being featured and more 'real' life pairing - one could argue that this would not provide the escapism that pornography currently offers in terms of fantasy play?

Censorship is something I am very wary of, whilst some feminists would have us believe it would protect us, who would decide what was obscene, or valid for public consumption and what would motivate those decisions.

Imagery in general, but 'art' even more so, is a subjective medium, whereby the very nature of the intended message may be misinterpreted by the viewer, and each feminist view regarding pornography makes assumptions that span and include the entire genre; which in itself contains many diverse strands. In each there are elements of truth, but no one group offers me a standpoint which I can entirely and whole heartily support without feeling that my ability to express my views in pictoral terms may be restricted or compromised.
It is my individual responsibility, as an image maker, to ensure that the images I make are a true representation of the message being conveyed to minimise miscommunication, and that the people involved in my image making (where a contentious subject may be being addressed) are treated with dignity and respect, understand the work they are involved in and the potential issues that may arise; regardless of their gender, race, age or sexual persuasion.

Bibliography
McElroy, W, 2002. A Feminist defence of Pornography [Ebook - Free enquiry Magazine Vol 17]. Available through http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/mcelroy_17_4.html [Accessed 17 November 2011]
Dines, G, 2008. Penn, Porn & me [Emag - Counter Punch]. Available through http://www.counterpunch.org/2008/06/23/penn-porn-and-me/ [Accessed 17th November 2011]
MacKinnon, C, 1984. Pornography civil rights speech.
Schwarzer, A, 2011. Don't seek love at any price (Emag, DE-world) Available through http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15484974,00.html [Accessed 17th Nov 2011]
Feminists for free Expression. Mission statement (n.d.) Available through http://www.ffeusa.org/html/mission/index.php [Accessed 17th November 2011]
Willis, E 1979. Feminism, moralism and pornography [ebook Random House] Available through http://www.randomhouse.com/category/ebooks/ [accessed 18th November 2011]

Death

Powerpoint shown during seminar