Tag: Resources

Nochlin, L (1973) ‘Why have there been no great women artists?’ In: Hess, T. B & E. C. Baker (ed.) Art and Sexual Politics. UK: MacMillan, pp. 1-39.  

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This work by Linda Nochlin has been very useful in my Contextual Studies essay. In my second and third chapter I look at the inequality between male and female artists. It has proved to be a valuable resource. 

Nochlin discusses woman’s position as the “acknowledged outsider” in art with John Stuart Mill stating that we tend to accept what is seen as natural, “everything which is usual appears natural, the subjection of women to men being a universal custom, any departure from it quire naturally appears unnatural” (Mill Quoted in Nochlin, 1973). This is a good point which can help explain why inequality has taken such a hold, but it is seen as a natural division. “Those who have privileges inevitably hold on to them, and hold tight, no matter how marginal the advantage involved, until compelled to bow to superior power of one sort or another” (Nochlin, 1973). This statement is key, as it can help understand why men in power deny that there is an inequality, as they want to hold onto their advantage. They will fight to keep their influence and power.

Nochlin believes experience will lead to the production of different art by men and women. There has also been a misunderstanding of what femininity is. She also states that women are worked against from when they are born (Nochlin, 1973). This makes sense, as much of the inequality we see is deeply engrained in society so would affect women from birth.

(Nochlin, 1973; Stewart, G).  

Mulvey, L (2007) ‘Visual pleasure and narrative cinema’ In: Evans, J and S. Hall (ed.) Visual Culture: A Reader. UK: Sage Publications Ltd, pp. 381-389.  

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Laura Mulvey looks at the male gaze and how dangerous it can be. The male gaze originates from cinema. Mulvey discus scopophilla which denotes the pleasure in looking. She looks at Freud’ work in this field. It is seen as ownership, where one believes the other belongs to them as an object. It is part of the ego and can develop further. Mulvey believes that the cinema provides a perfect place for the pleasure of looking. Jacques Lacan looks At how children see their own images in a mirror, and believes this is an aspect of the ego (Mulvey. 2007). 

There are two types of pleasure found in looking. The pleasure found in using a person as an object through visual means is the first. The second is found in narcissism and the ego, this is where someone identifies with the image they see. Visual pleasure in found between the active male and the passive female. The male gaze is able to embedded their fantasy to the woman. Men have the power here (Mulvey, 2007). 

For my contextual studies essay, this is a valuable sources. At some points I found it a struggle to make sense but I persevered with it. Mulvey pinpoints the gaze in cinema. It would be interesting to see how this translates into other areas. This is something I could develop for my Contextual Studies work, as Mulvey’s work is very relevant to my field but I could extend this though into other areas, for example the male gaze in landscape photography (Mulvey, 2007).

(Mulvey, 2007; Stewart, G).