This culture jam is not focussing on a specific brand or label for women, rather it focusses on the affects of branding from labels, to styles, to ever mannerisms.
“I wanted to speak to the lie that we can all wear the right thing or buy the right thing and then we can be American. They said, ‘This is what an American eats and this is what an American looks like.’ I wanted to insert stories about people who don’t fit in or can’t fit in.”-Beverly Naidus
Beverly Naidus,often takes images from 20th century ads and images and turns them into a culture jam by writing the truth (in her opinion) on the image. Naidus has a series of art called "What Kind of Name is That". Naidus puts a large amount of her focus on American culture and the standards of life for WASP's (white Anglo-Saxon Protestant) but since this particular jam was about women conforming to what society says is beautiful and "proper" rather than what they themselves think is beautiful I thought it was a perfect culture jam for class, especially since we're had a few discussions in class about labelling and conformity.
Naidus also makes culture jams about Jewish society and stereotypes. I think her work (on various topics from religion to AIDS) makes you open your eyes and see things for what they really are rather than what we've been brain-washed by marketing gimicks to believe.
Check out her book "Arts For Change" http://www.artsforchange.org/
Citing; Barcio,P. (2009). Breaking the Trance:Cultural Jams of Beverly Naidus. Retrieved January 15, 2010, from http://www.tikkun.org/tikkundaily/tag/art/
*Silver
Wow, I really love the image and the text. It's all so true.
ReplyDeleteThe picture itself is really interesting. I especially like how it's a picture of what looks like a mother who is teaching her daughter how they are collectively (as women) supposed to act and look. That means there will be another generation of Barbie-esque (Yup I just made that word up) women, who all look and act a certain way. In fact, this culture jam would look really cool if, instead of having the two women, there were Barbie Dolls instead. I mean, Barbie kinda does relay that message of impossible conformity. No one can actually look like her, or have the same life as her, but yet there are children who look up to her, just like how the daughter in this image is looking up to her mother.
- Keekers
Barbie-esque (I love it!). It could even be an image of a posed Barbie with the mother next to her in a similar pose and then the daughter attempting the same pose too. Since Barbie has influenced atleast three generations of women to this date.
ReplyDeletePs. Its quite clear that I DIDNT proof-read my blog post before adding it...lol plz forgive me!
*Silver
WOW, I love this!!
ReplyDelete"she could not fit into the proper role, or the right dress size"...this quote/idea is so clear and realistic [unfortuantly].
I have witnessed many of my friends and cousins looking for acceptance through clothing and 'fashion' only to be told they are not good enough.
I hate how society seems so wrapped up in hollywood and the 'perfect' size, the 'perfect' clothing sytle/label and the 'perfect' relationships.
I wish women did not measure their self worth by their dress sizes...it is so sad that in our society (and over-played in hollywood) that being the right size jeans, wearing the right make up and dating a certain guy, will make you a better person!
Women should love their bodies, no matter the size!
Thanks for posting this picture, this is a great one!
~Beautiful Bombshell~
I love Naidus' work! Thanks for finding it.
ReplyDeleteThe Doctor
I definitely really enjoy this!! So unlike anything we usually/typically see, huh?
ReplyDeletePortrays an excellent message.
*ctime
Definitley a good find! I like how the daughter is looking up at her mother- like the mother is giving a lesson on how to look like a proper lady. The whole "perfect size" reminded me of a tyra show I watched a while ago, there was this younger lady who was trying to start a clothing collection for plus size women. She said everyone is so caught up in what size they are and often get fustrated at themselves if the size they are doesnt fit right. Some stores are different I find when buying jeans for example- I range all sizes. But anyways her point was why do we even need sizes? I can see obviously for finding clothes that fit us would be easier and she made that comment also, but she also said just to cut the tag off after you buy the clothes because it doesnt matter what size you are as long as your comfortable in the the clothing your wearing.
ReplyDelete-VitaminC-