Thursday 31 December 2015

Protest


To start my visual journal I want to continue the themes found in my essay which looks at social class and hierarchy. I think at this moment in time I need to focus on more of a general approach to see where I can take the rest of my work as I progress. Protest imagery is something I am interested in having a look at, showing the different sides of working class and upper class views on certain issues - how they differ.

Sunday 27 December 2015

Image Analysis 2 - Print Media

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/36/a0/27/36a0278cbdeadd6d90ba6242bf849cdc.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01473/blackout_poster_1473250i.jpg

http://static.highsnobiety.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/14230125/jean-jullien-peace-for-paris-symbol-0.jpg

There are many images throughout history that have been successful in affecting the public's perception of an event. The German propaganda poster from World War II reads, 'The enemy sees your light, Blackout!'. Somewhat disturbing imagery of a menacing skeleton flying a spitfire throwing a bomb down on civilian housing is the focal point of the poster, aiming at one house in particular that has left a light on. Distributing physical copies of this kind of imagery was successful in instilling a sense of fear into the public and manipulating their views on what the intentions of Britain 'the enemy' were, as well as warning them of the dangers of ignoring protocol during the blackout.

Similarly, the poster reading 'Children, what do you know of the leader?' features Hitler as a fatherly figure to the children of Germany. Projecting a false impression of the kindness of the 'leader' suggested to the people of Germany that it was necessary for their children to look up to Hitler and learn more about him, as they would their own family members. The use of this kind of imagery would have been an easy way to influence people to believe that Hitler was a benevolent person and one to be trusted, even with their own children, masking the brutality of what the reality of the situation was. Along with the use of threatening imagery to portray Britain, this type of mass production was very effective in persuading a population to believe in this false representation of Hitler, in their eyes they would have had no choice but to follow what was seen as acceptable to the majority.

In contrast to use of printed imagery to influence the masses is the notion of viewing imagery using technology. An example of this can be seen in Jean Jullien's 'Peace for Paris' symbol. This simply designed representation of support for a country was spread much more quickly than any printed media could have done during the war, mostly through social media where it was shared over 64,000 times. Within 24 hours of the Paris terrorist attacks, people were printing the symbol onto t shirts and other items as an expression of global solidarity. Therefore, this demonstrates that print media does still have a place in the digital age to an extent, though perhaps not initially.

Friday 27 November 2015

Task 3

Essay Map

Thesis

Does Print Media still have a place in the Digital Culture we live in today?
Analog vs Digital


1. Throughout history, print media played an important role in popular culture.

'to give people a voice of their own' - expression
  • Working class making their own culture - expressing themselves.
  • Democracy - eliminating social hierarchy, separation of social classes.
  • Print Capitalism.
  • 'A History of Communism' book - Power to the people.
  • Protests.
  • 'Penny Dreadfuls' article.

2. Propaganda print media was an effective way of influencing a society.

'to influence a society'


 

  • Propaganda in war - manipulation.
  • German propaganda WWII - Hitler kind to children? Feeding a certain mentality.
  • 'British prints from the machine age' book. Informing a society, WWI.
  • 'Why paint war? British and Belgian artists in World War One' article links to above.
  • 'Propaganda as a weapon? Influencing international opinion' article.


3. Reproducibility of an image made art universally available.

'to make art universally available'

  • Advertising - distribution.
  • Loss of value, authorship and expression.
  • 'The Designer as Author' essay.
  • Authenticity, not always relevant for the purpose.
  • Free for interpretation - popular culture.
  • Post-modernism - fan art/film posters.
  • Print Culture - of the people.

4. The digitalisation and invention of the internet has given anyone the access to imagery - Do we need a physical copy (print)?

'disputing the role of physicality of a print in the digital age'.


  • Mobilisation of digital communication.
  • 'The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction' book.
  • Jean Jullien's Paris symbol - Universally acknowledged (speed), printed media not needed.
  • Social Media.
  • 'Fractal dreams new media in social context' book - communication.
  • Books/print into film/TV.


Thursday 26 November 2015

Penny Dreadfuls Article - Summary

http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/penny-dreadfuls

Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians
British Library
Penny Dreadfuls by Judith Flanders

Key Points
  • Penny Dreadfuls contributed to making print available to the working class - the masses.
  • Contained stories for all classes of people, affordable and accessible for all and became part of the popular culture.
  • - Penny-bloods weren't too bothered about intellectual content, it was very much about producing a story for the working classes.
  • The illustrations were a huge part of making the reader intrigued as to what the story was about.
  • - Certain stories were extremely popular due to the content being an expression of a working class life and the challenges they faced in contrast to the upper classes.
  • Including true events made the stories more relatable to an audience.
  • The development of media made it possible for these stories to be told to a wider audience of all classes (the masses). Re-telling of stories through film, stage production and television. Penny Dreadful - TV Drama. Sweeney Todd - Stage and Film.
Key Quotes
  • '19th-century publishing phenomenon... cheap, sensational, highly illustrated stories... popular with the Victorian public'.
  • 'literacy and improving technology saw a boom in cheap fiction for the working classes'.
  • 'astonishingly successful, creating a vast new readership'.
  • - 'without too much worry for historical accuracy or continuity'.
  • 'The illustrations were an essential element, as much an advertising tool as art'.
  • - 'most successful penny-blood...much closer to it's reader's own lives, contrasting the dreadful world of the slums with the decadent life of the careless rich'. - Mysteries of London 1844 by G.W.M. Reynolds.
  • 'penny-bloods found even more success with stories of true crimes, especially murders... most successful of them was the story of Sweeney Todd... adapted for the stage... on the road to world fame'.
  • 'broad readership'.
Summary



Judith Flanders explores the ways in which 'Penny Dreadfuls' contributed to making print available to the masses. In her article for the British Library, 'discovering literature: Romantics and Victorians', she describes the '19th century publishing phenomenon' as 'cheap fiction' which was incredibly popular with the Victorian public. The stories contained in these books were suitable for the readership of all classes of people and became a part of popular culture at that time. The affordability and accessibility of the 'Penny-blood', as they were originally titled, ensured that the reach of an audience was much wider than it had been with previous literature, which was very much directed at the upper classes. 'Literacy and improving technology' contributed to a demand in the production of cheap fiction for the working classes, which was 'astonishingly successful' and created a 'vast new readership'.

Following the theme of producing material for the working classes, penny dreadfuls didn't bother too much about intellectual content, it was very much orientated around the idea of story telling 'without too much worry for historical accuracy or continuity'. This made the books even more appealing to some audiences who were not interested in the academic sources of the subject matter, but in the representation of a narrative. Illustrations contained in the books and on the cover were a huge part of intriguing the reader to discover more about the story, Flanders describes illustration as 'an essential element, as much an advertising tool as art'.

Certain stories were extremely popular due to the content being an expression of a working class life in 'the dreadful world of the slums' and the challenges they faced in contrast to the 'decadent life of the careless rich'. In 1844 this was displayed when GWM Reynolds produced the 'Mysteries of London'. This became the 'most successful of penny-blood' and demonstrated this idea of social hierarchy between the classes. Including true events made the stories more relatable to an audience and even more success was found when including 'stories of true crimes, especially murders' in the content of the plot line. The most successful of this type of penny-blood was the story of 'Sweeney Todd', the demon barber of Fleet Street. The story was swiftly adapted for stage production that widened the reach to an audience yet again, including the upper classes. 

The influences of these stories can still be seen around the world today. For example, Penny Dreadful is now an American-British television drama. Similarly, the story of Sweeney Todd has since been successfully told and greatly received through theatre productions and film all over the world. Hence, a cheap short story made initially for the working classes in the 19th century has become celebrated and acknowledged by a much wider audience.

Propaganda as a weapon? Influencing International opinion - Summary

http://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/propaganda-as-a-weapon

Propaganda as a Weapon? Influencing International Opinion
British Library
by Ian Cooke

Key Points

  • In World War I, propaganda was a massive factor in helping to manipulate international opinion - Global influences.
  • Influencing the News
  • It was in the interest of the countries at war to try and gain the support of independent countries.
  • Including drawings or photographs within the printed propaganda newspapers was effective in gaining the interests and attention of the masses.
  • Sending out copies of newspapers in many different languages included a variety of cultures in having an opinion on the conflict of World War I. Offered a biased viewpoint on hat was happening.
  • German and British covert propaganda
  • Propaganda was used to try and influence countries against the motives and interests of their economy - Power of persuasion. Germany trying to stop America from giving financial support to Britain.
  • Tactfulness is important when appealing to the public. The propaganda was less effective when used in a certain way. - Obvious.
  • Certain areas/people were targeted for their influence on a greater number of people - PR.
  • Britain enhanced support by distributing propaganda from other countries, made it look like these external countries were supporting them out of choice over Germany - Pressure.
  • Official propaganda
  • Propaganda was used by the government to try and gain acceptance for their actions from the masses.
  • Exploiting mistakes made by the enemy
  • Warfare was not just evident on the battlefield, but also evident within media and the way events were made aware to the public - The sinking of the Lusitania, publicising failures of the enemy to get the public on side.
  • Propaganda against enemy armed forces
  • Influencing people outside of the direct reach of the conflict using print media helped to gain support from the masses universally.
  • Germany tried to appeal to people's emotional investments and what matters to them in their personal lives.
  • The impact of International propaganda
  • Distributing printed propaganda was a useful way of getting information seen by a majority, so it was adopted by everyone (all sides). It was so effective that people were willing to risk their lives to distribute them.
  • Germany believed that the war had been lost through the lack of support from the German people who had been influenced heavily by the external source of foreign propaganda.
Key Quotes
  • 'the newspapers, books and cartoons produced in an attempt to influence both neutral and enemy countries'.
  • 'to shape opinion and action internationally... justify their actions... build international support... resulted in some of the most powerful propaganda ever produced'.
  • In 1914 'Wellington House printed its own newspapers for circulation around the world... Illustrated news, carrying drawings or photographs, was viewed as particularly effective'.
  • 'By December 1916, the war pictorial was running at a circulation of 500,000 copies per issue... covering 11 languages... such a powerful effect upon the masses that the Chinese government were able to declare war against Germany'.
  • - 'a plot by unscrupulous financiers to draw the USA into a war which would be against its own interests and ruinous to its economy... pamphlets, cartoons and longer books'.
  • 'German propaganda tended to lack subtlety... British efforts, directed through Wellington House for most of the war, took a different approach'.
  • '... produced independently of state direction... books and pamphlets were published in huge numbers and circulated to lists of people identified as opinion makers'.
  • - '... an attempt by the government to set out its justification for war'.
  • - 'British propaganda aimed at neutral countries also made effective use of Germany's misfortunes or misjudgements during the war' - Sinking of Lusitania (claimed 1198 lives) Britain 'circulated to highlight the 'barbarity' of the enemy'.
  • - 'aeroplanes and balloons were used by all sides to drop leaflets and posters over fighting forces and civilians'.
  • 'German propaganda included material written in Urdu... leaflets and posters played on resentments of British rule in India'.
  • - 'leaflets and posters were circulated in vast numbers by all sides'.
Summary

'Propaganda as a weapon? Influencing International Opinion' is an article written by Ian Cooke for the British Library, which examines the ways in which Propaganda print was used to manipulate global viewpoints during World War I.

Cooke looks at how it was in the interest of conflicting countries to try and gain the support of those who were independent. By using 'newspapers, books and cartoons' as a form of printed propaganda, Britain and Germany were able to effectively gain the attention of 'both neutral and enemy countries'. Copies of newspapers printed in many different languages were sent out to try and 'justify their actions' on the battlefield and 'build international support'. This meant that many cultures could have an informed opinion on the conflict of World War I, however biased the source of their information may be. Just how effective this method of distribution could be was demonstrated by Wellington House, Britain's war propaganda bureau, in 1914. Illustrated newspapers containing drawings and photographs were printed 'for circulation around the world' and by December 1916, 11 different languages were covered. There was 'such a powerful effect upon the masses' that the repercussions following this had a significant impact on the rest of the war.

Propaganda of 'pamphlets, cartoons and longer books' were used as a means of persuasion to try and influence countries against the motives and interests of their economy. However, it became evident that tactfulness is very important when appealing to the public. Cooke suggests that German propaganda 'tended to lack subtlety' and was less effective when utilised in an obvious way. Britain approached distribution much differently, using knowledge of Public Relations, by appealing to certain areas/people who were targeted for their influence on a greater number of people. Pressure to support Britain was enforced when pamphlets and book were produced 'independently of state direction' and issued to people who were 'identified as opinion makers' to influence external countries.

The government used propaganda within their own country to try and gain acceptance for their actions from the masses. Cooke describes this as 'an attempt by the government to set out its justification for war'. Warfare was not just evident on the battlefield, but also within the media and the way mistakes of the enemy were presented to the public. Neutral countries were the target for British propaganda to highlight the 'misfortunes or misjudgements' of German action in war. The sinking of the Lusitania, which claimed 1198 lives, was fuel for Britain's Wellington House, which was 'circulated to highlight the 'barbarity' of the enemy'. Publicising the failures of opposing countries was successful in influencing public opinion.

'Aeroplanes and balloons were used by all side to drop leaflets and posters over fighting forces and civilians', reaching the support of the masses universally and influencing people outside of the direct reach of the conflict using printed media was very important in establishing the victory of the war. Germany tried to appeal to people's emotional investments and what mattered to them in their personal lives to get them on side. This was evident when leaflets and posters written in Urdu were issued, displaying the endorsements of the 'resentments of British rule in India'. The production of printed propaganda was a useful way of getting information seen by a majority, so it was adopted by all sides of the conflict. It was so effective that people were willing to risk their lives to ensure they were distributed accordingly. German people had been influenced so heavily by foreign propaganda, which was 'circulated in vast numbers by all sides', that it was thought the war had been lost, prematurely, due to the lack of public support.

Thursday 19 November 2015

A History of Communism - Summary

Jim Dine - A History of Communism

Key Points

  • Certain imagery in Dine's projects symbolise Socialism.
  • A Communist Society was a Utopian idea for the working class and their interests, the use of symbolism served as a reminder of this.

Key Quotes

  • 'a wide array of tools - brushes, scissors, hammers and different types of pliers - have been part of Dine's visual vocabulary since the 1960s…'tools were an essential part of the symbolism of the former socialist countries' 
  • 'The tools served as a reminder that the worker's interests were meant to be the foundation of the future communist society…ideology…the symbolic reference points remained a strong visual clue.'

Summary


In 'A History of Communism' Gwendolyn Sasse explores the ways in which Jim Dine expresses the idealistic views of a society through symbolism in his prints. Certain imagery in his projects depict the idea of socialism, an 'array of tools - brushes, scissors, hammers and different types of pliers' which have been 'part of Dine's visual vocabulary since the 1960s' are used. This imagery was an 'essential part of the symbolism of the former socialist countries'.


Dine's tools 'served as a reminder that the worker's interests were meant to be the foundation of the future communist society'. This was utopian idea, especially regarding the working class at this time. The experience of living in a socialist society has become a 'more distant and indirect memory' so visualising this notion can help people to 'remember and relay the history of communism'. Although the 'ideology' of socialism did not come to pass, the 'symbolic reference points remained a strong visual clue' for the masses. Dine's work is an example of how print can provide someone with a visual voice.

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Fractal Dreams New Media in Social Context - Summary

 Fractal Dreams New Media in Social Context
Edited by Jon Dovey

Focus - Who gets to Play? Art, Access and Margin
Ailsa Barry

Key Points

  • Computers can help people to publicise their ideas to the world.
  • The technological advances, computers and networks, can promote democracy by giving everyone access to information.
  • Art can be easily shared and critiqued over the internet.

Key Quotes

  • The Magic Box - A Future Fairy Tale '...soon it was travelling along cables and networks to every home in the country (that had a computer) and was being beamed by satellite across the world.'
  • Origins of Myth 'For groups that have traditionally been disenfranchised, not having access to the main economic and political channels of power and communication, there is a promise of a new digital voice.'
  • Origins of Myth ' The emergence of computers and networks, which make work easily reproducible and transportable... easily accessible to a wider public, bypassing the moribund channels of galleries and museums...vast conceptual world where the audience or viewer can interact or participate.'

Summary

Ailsa Barry's text in 'Fractal Dreams - New Media in Social Context' on 'Who gets to Play? Art, Access and Margin' investigates distribution, technology and communication in society.

Firstly, Barry suggests that computers can help people to publicise and gain recognition or their work. In 'The Magic Box - A future Fairy Tale' it is said that art can be shared by '...travelling along cables and networks to every home in the country', therefore promoting and enabling otherwise unknown art to be 'beamed by satellite across the world'. The notion of even amateur art becoming universally available means that anyone has the opportunity to be a part of an on-line creative community where they can learn, participate and receive opinions on their work freely.

These technological advances in regards to computers and networking can contribute to an important part of a democratic society by giving everyone equal access to information. Barry expresses that 'For groups that have traditionally been disenfranchised, not having access to the main economic and political channels of power and communication, there is a promise of a new digital voice'. In other words, a digital culture gives everyone an equal opportunity to gain an understanding of the world we live in, eliminating a hierarchy and someone to determine who should or should not be allowed to express their ideas.

Following the idea of making art available to all through technology, Barry discusses that 'The emergence of computers and networks make work easily reproducible and transportable' which implies that in the digital age art is easily shared and critiqued on a vast scale by the public. This reproduction is the way in which art has become 'easily accessible to a wider public, bypassing the moribund channels of galleries and museums'. Art galleries are, even now, largely associated with the upper class. Therefore, there is the question of whether the traditional ways of displaying art are appropriate for a mass audience. The use of social media and being able to discover a creative collective just a click away has generated a 'vast conceptual world where the audience or viewer can interact or participate'.



Tuesday 17 November 2015

Image Analysis 1 - Print Media

What is the role of print media in the digital age?

Viktor Hertz - Pictogram movie posters
  • Universally understood ideas using shapes.
  • Can depict our ideas of what society should be like; gender roles, culture, social norms, etc.
  • Visual metaphors. The images don't necessarily have naturalistic elements to them, but we as an audience understand clearly what is being said.
http://designspiration.net/image/482504318851/

Penny Dreadful (1870s) Magazine 
Informing the horrors of Victorian fast food - The penny pie.
Comparative to the Glastonbury Press and The London Illustrated News.
  • Came about with democracy and the collapse of traditional authority.
  • Popular culture, distraction for the masses
  • Print Capitalism, there is a common way of using language and forming opinions/ideas that are generated through the use of the printing press to influence the ideas of the individuals in a nation.
  • Art became available to all classes. Before, there was a noticeable separation of different classes in regards to who art was available to. The working class people then created their own culture and got together to protest against their conditions.
  • Has the traditional print been replaced with digital media? No need for a physical copy of an image due to the growth of social media? For example, the power of an image - Jean Jullien's 'Peace for Paris' symbol.
http://static.highsnobiety.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/14230125/jean-jullien-peace-for-paris-symbol-0.jpg


http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/08/victorian-fast-food-horrors-exposed-3872919/

Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Print
  • Repetition and print based. No originality to the work.
  • All notion of meaning is eliminated from Warhol's work. Aims to create prints free from concept, attacking more pretentious ideas of art. 
  • Simply looks nice, popular culture. People taking art into their homes.
  • Does print media even have a role in the digital age?
https://branditative.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/picture4-6.png

Thursday 12 November 2015

Task 2 - What is the role of Print Media in the Digital Age?

Walter Benjamin (1936)
The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alfredocaceres/4876481334/in/faves-gaiamarfurt/

Tone of voice
  • Formal

Key Points from each Chapter
  • I - Art has always been reproducible. Woodcut graphic art, etchings, lithography, etc.
  • II - Reproducible art lacks ownership, physicality and authenticity compared to an original.
  • III - The masses in society have a great influence to bring things closer to contemporary life, encouraging reproduction of imagery- Magazines, newsreels, etc.
  • IV - Authentic print isn't always relevant to the function, such as propaganda. It is designed to be able to be reproduced, photographic negatives.
  • V - The difference between how a work of art is viewed, cult or exhibition value.
  • VI - Photography (portrait) expresses a cult value.
  • VII - Has the invention of photography transformed the nature of art altogether?
  • VIII - Film has introduced an impersonal way of viewing performance, audience acts as a camera/critic.
  • IX - Art has left the notion of just being beautiful.
  • X - The film industry is trying to spur the interests of the masses.
  • XI - A painter produces a complete image with equipment (tools) whereas a photographer produced an image made of multiple fragments of reality which may be more appealing to a contemporary viewer.
  • XII - Reactions of the masses are changed due to mechanical reproduction.
  • XIII - A camera can show us characteristics of our lives that we may unconsciously miss.
  • XIV - A task of art is to create a demand that can only be satisfied with a change in technical advances.
  • XV - Quantity has been transmuted into quality, mass of participants.
  • Epilogue - Expression in relation to the masses and fascism, communism.

Key Quotes
  • 'Communism responds by politicising art' - Epilogue
  • 'In principle a work of art has always been reproducible' - I
  • …'the change which it may have suffered in physical condition over the years' - II
  • …'reproduction as offered by picture magazines and newsreels differs from the image seen by the unarmed eye' - III
  • …'the total function of art is reversed. Instead of being based on ritual, it begins to be based on another practice - politics' - IV
  • 'Works of art are received and valued on different planes' - V
  • 'In Photography, exhibition value begins to displace cult value all along the line' - VI
  • 'The primary question - whether the very invention of photography had not transformed the entire nature of art - was not raised' - VII
  • …'art has left the realm of the ''beautiful semblance'' which, so far, had been taken to be the only sphere where art could thrive' - IX
  • …'the film industry is trying hard to spur the interest of the masses' - X
  • 'Mechanical reproduction of art changes the reaction of the masses towards art' - XII
  • 'Quantity has been transmuted into quality' - XV
  • 'The public is an examiner, but an absent-minded one' - XV

Summary


Walter Benjamin's essay on 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' explores ways in which the reproduction of art has caused changes in the expression of the masses in society and how this differs in relation to original, authentic art.

Firstly, Benjamin explains that 'In principle a work of art has always been reproducible', indicating that, historically, print has been available for a long time. Starting with the use of woodcut graphic art, then progressing towards etchings and lithography which made it generally easier for people to access. The masses in society have a great influence to bring things closer to contemporary life, encouraging reproduction of imagery. Benjamin states that this has been demonstrated in the mass production of magazines and newsreels.

On the one hand, the idea that reproduced art lacks ownership and authenticity is seemingly a valid point. The original piece '..may have suffered in physical condition over the years' where as in print the notion of physicality is removed. This may affect the story of the image and eliminate an element of humanity. On the other hand, authentic print isn't always relevant to the function, such as propaganda posters, which are designed to be reproduced and distributed to the masses. In this case, authenticity is not relevant to the context.

In conclusion, the relation of reproduction and the development of the distribution of print is largely to do with the changes in the divisions of the social hierarchy. Benjamin states that 'Communism responds by politicising art', the power and expression of the working class people to influence society through imagery became available, this changed the way people viewed art in general. Benjamin expresses that 'Mechanical reproduction of art changes the reaction of the masses towards art'.

Thursday 22 October 2015

Task 2 - To what extent does Advertising construct our Ideas of Gender?

‘Feminist Perspectives on Objectification’

http://www.artifaqs.co.uk/come-into-the-factories-poster-c2x8997174

 Tone of Voice
  • Formal

Key Points
  • Kant's view that sexuality is extremely problematic when outside of a monogamous marriage and contributes to the objectification of women.
  • Within Pornography there is gender inequality.
  • Women are more associated with their bodies than men, however men are becoming increasingly aware of the pressure to conform to the idea of masculinity.
  • Objectivity is about the ways in which the mind conforms to the world, this causes women to become submissive because of men's desires and beliefs.
  • Bauer explains that the feminist shift was related to objectification, how to understand the world and one's experience in it.
Key Quotes
  • '..sexual love makes of the loved person an Object of appetite; as soon as that appetite has been stilled, the person is cast aside as one casts away a lemon which has been sucked dry..' (Kant Lectures on Ethics)
  • 'She becomes something to be used by him, specifically, an object of his sexual use..' (MacKinnon 1987, on Pornography)
  • 'The increasing pressure on men to conform to unattainable standards of beauty is far from a sign of progress: it is, instead, a sign that the problem has grown' (Saul 2003)
  • 'Because the world is not infinitely malleable to our wants or needs, reasonable decision making will accommodate ‘how things are’..' (Haslanger 1993)
  • 'If the term ‘sexual objectification’ is critical in helping you make sense of the world as you see it, then, more or less, you will know sexual objectification when you see it..' (Bauer, forthcoming, part I)

Summary
 
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s article on ‘Feminist Perspectives on Objectification’ explores ways in which objectification, particularly of women, is depicted in society through promiscuous behaviour, pornography, physical appearance, worldviews and feminist movements.

Firstly, in Lectures of Ethics Kant explains that sex outside of a monogamous marriage contributes to Objectification of women as it promotes ‘an Object of appetite’ and once that appetite has been satisfied ‘the person is cast aside as one casts away a lemon that has been sucked dry.’
Similarly, in 1987 Mackinnon expressed the view that there is gender inequality within Pornography, that women become something to be used by a man ‘specifically, an object of his sexual abuse’.

Body image is another key point when it comes to the contribution to objectification within society. The article expresses that especially in western culture, people feel that they have to look a certain way to be accepted by others. Saul writes ‘The increasing pressure on men to conform to unattainable standards of beauty is far from a sign of progress’.

Furthermore, the view that Objectivity is about the ways in which the mind conforms to the way of the world is a valid point, historically this contributed to the submission of women to men because of their desires and beliefs. In 1993, Haslanger described the world as ‘not infinitely malleable to our wants or needs’ and ‘reasonable decision making will accommodate ‘how things are’.’ The shift in views came with the feminist movement and therefore some would argue this was related to objectification, how to understand the world and it’s experiences.

In conclusion, the article implies that Objectification is a difficult concept to define and much about how we treat one another. Hopefully, recent feminist work will lead to a more complete understanding of the topic and a change in perspective of society.