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The most commonly used way of presenting womanhood and girl culture today is through photography. During my research, I stumbled upon many paintings and illustrations of women, which presented them in a much more holy and revered light. In times when most, if not all, parts of the world were ruled by religion, women were often portrayed as birth-givers and mothers, as that was considered their primary role. One painting by Matthias Grünewald stood out to me the most because, unlike many paintings from that era that either placed women to the side or barely featured them at all, giving the spotlight to men, this painting gives women the centre of attention.

At first glance, the image seems holy and brilliant; the use of colour and dramatic lines directs the viewer's attention to the figure. When examining the image as a whole, it feels as though Grünewald’s intent was to highlight the importance and beauty of women. The halos above the heads signify that these are holy figures. The use of red on the robe symbolises passion—possibly the passion of being a mother, as the woman is holding her newborn child. The light shining above clearly indicates where the artist wants the audience to focus. However, if you look deeper into the image, one might say it has a darker undertone. The stormy weather in the background reflects the woman's state of mind, symbolising her hidden emotions. Images like these were very common in the past and were mostly, if not all, painted by men. These works reflected their interpretation of what a woman should be like. But times have changed. Today, women have a much stronger presence and can choose how they wish to be represented.

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Everyone has a phone or computer, and social media has become something that everyone, from young to old, now uses in today’s society—you cannot escape it. In recent years, the term "selfie" has emerged and begun its reign in everyone’s lives. A selfie is a photo of yourself taken by yourself. I’ve chosen to analyse this piece by Petra Collins because it shows the raw side of a selfie taken by a group of girls. Many people take a mirror selfie to post on social media, updating their friends and family on what they’re doing or where they’re going, and also to flaunt the way they look. Often, people will only post a photo when they feel they look really good. The focus technique used by Petra Collins is quite interesting. Instead of focusing on the phone, which is typically the main subject, she has chosen to focus on the image reflected in the mirror. The use of dark green lighting gives the photo a rustic and dramatic feel, making it seem somewhat melancholy. Usually, a selfie is a positive way of showing off or bragging about yourself, but Collins has chosen to interpret this in a much more intimate way. The two young girls are doing their makeup and getting ready to go out. Her decision to make this a candid photograph is intriguing, as it contrasts with the types of photos that are usually posted on social media.

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I spent time looking into the topic of womanhood and what it’s like growing up as a woman. One particular artist that stuck with me is Lauren Sinfield, who has a collection of photographs capturing different stages of a girl’s life. Her book, *Girl Culture*, shows various perspectives of girls’ lives, from the age of eight playing with princess dresses and Barbie dolls to growing up and indulging in adult activities. One specific art piece that stuck with me was photographed at a weight loss camp in the Catskills, New York. The image shows a group of girls who, despite being in a place where many would feel embarrassed to be, form a somewhat popular group. The girls are striking poses for the camera, looking very model-like. The ages of the girls are around 14 and 15, but they appear much older due to the way they are presented. At this age, girls are typically starting to transition into young adulthood, and that is evident in this photograph. When you look at the background of the photo, you notice other people who are part of the same event, but they are dressed much more conservatively—one might even describe their outfits as sporty. Knowing this photo was taken several years ago, possibly in the early 2000s, it’s shocking that such an environment existed. Body positivity for women is such a big factor in today’s society, empowering women to feel confident in the way they are without comparing themselves to photoshopped models in magazines or unrealistic portrayals of beauty.

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The experiences of women around the world may seem similar, but where you live can greatly affect how you see life and understand womanhood. For example, in Poland, a country with strong religious influences, women are often expected to focus on motherhood and marriage, a view that is emphasised by the Catholic Church. As the quote says, “They placed at the centre of womanhood the calling to motherhood and marriage, legitimised by sacral justifications.” This view places pressure on women to fit into traditional roles as mothers and wives, leaving little room for alternative views of what it means to be a woman. In such contexts, femininity is often defined by traits like being quiet, passive, delicate, and dependent, reinforcing the idea that a woman's worth lies in her adherence to these traditional expectations. To be feminine, in this sense, “means being, in part, quiet, passive, delicate, and dependent.” In countries with less religious influence, such as more secular nations, women may face different expectations. They may have more freedom to choose their own path, whether that means pursuing a career or starting a family, and they often have more opportunities for personal growth. Additionally, race, ethnicity, and class also impact a woman's experience. Women of different races or ethnicities may face unique challenges, such as racism in addition to sexism. Class is another important factor; middle-class women generally have more access to education and resources than lower-class women, which can affect their opportunities and life choices.In short, while being a woman is a shared experience, the way it is understood and lived can vary greatly depending on culture, religion, and social status.

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One might say that women have formed their own unity over the years, from not being able to speak or give their opinions in public to the rise of feminist organisations and women becoming presidents, queens, and so much more. Upon reading the text ‘All About the Girl’ by Anita Harris, I encountered many topics that highlight the confidence women have in each other and how they make each other stronger. One fragment that really spoke to me discusses women in public bathrooms. Public bathrooms are generally private spaces where many don’t converse, especially in men’s toilets. However, in women’s toilets, you’ll often find gossip, laughter, and happiness. It has become a space where, no matter if you know the other person, you’ll always say something or offer a smile. Today’s standards have led many to believe that a woman should be perfect, gentle, and innocent. However, this has not only been a recent development—it has been a societal expectation for centuries. If you look at art from hundreds of years ago, it often portrays women as heavenly-like figures. While some may interpret this as praise, calling them beautiful and ethereal, others may have a negative outlook, arguing that such depictions objectify women, reducing them to mere trophies to be looked at and held by men. In fact, “young women appear to have it all, and yet many constitute those hardest hit by the effects of the new global political economy on jobs, resources, and community.” This complex reality highlights how, even as women have made great strides, they still face significant challenges. This is true for women of all races and ages—it seems that a woman can never catch a break. While reading Anita Harris’s text, it became clear to me that being a woman is a universal experience. Although we may face these struggles to varying degrees, we can still confide in each other and express our feelings.

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WOMANHOOD

One thing all females have in common is womanhood. I have chosen to write about the life of a woman because it is a topic I can reflect on and share my own views and experiences. Throughout life, being a woman places you in the spotlight of society in many ways. It may be negative, but the positive aspects are often overlooked. Even though there have been many struggles, they have only brought women closer together as they share experiences. Your view of life changes drastically—from being a little girl in love with the colour pink, Barbie dolls, and princesses, to facing the challenges of growing up. Upon my research, I stumbled upon a text by Linda Dutis. She reflects on her childhood experiences with her grandmother. She states, “Girls, young women, and feminine adolescents were highly visible in twentieth-century Western cultures… a marker of immature and malleable identity.” While her statement is absolutely true, times have changed and evolved, and now women have a much bigger impact on society. One might say women these days tend to grow up much quicker and, from a much younger age, miss out on childhood experiences. Instead, they focus on more crucial aspects of life, such as how they look and how others may judge them based on their appearance. I believe that as you get older, innocence slowly fades away like a dimming light, and many women lose their confidence. They choose to hide in the shadows rather than speak out and shine the way they should. As one woman put it, “I��m still not sure when I stopped being a girl, if I did.”

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What is the topic you want to look at and why?

The topic which i have chosen is the unity of cultures. I would like to look at this topic as i believe its a current topic in our time and the future. Globalisation has brought everyone together and shows the difference in everyone’s understanding. And even though were all across the world were all really similar. Then i would also like to look into different identities that strain from sexuality, culture, gender and hobbies/interests.

- What experiences from last term did it emerge from, and what was interesting to you in this?

The artist research and reading assignments helped me gain more knowledge of other people’s experiences and how they bring light to issues which have happened in their personal lives.

- Pick out a work of visual culture that connects to your topic

A artist which interests me is Metis Atash as she uses a statue to interpret different cultures however the statue is always the same. Another is a art illustration by Andy Donato called globalisation. It shows the hard truth of immigration and the hate towards these people.

Another piece which i like is COLLAGE BY ALAINA PANGILINAN which represents different people and cultures by putting everything together with the technique of collaging. She uses different eras of photos and colour to mix things together and tops of the piece with a quote to bring your attention to the message behind it.

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Exhibition Report

The Tate modern exhibition was a wonderful show showing contemporary works of modern. The piece which stood out to me the most was Mark Bradford’s Los Moscos, 2004 [1] as it had an abstract presentation of modernity. The havoc of the piece relates to the globalization of today's society. The rush of movement and the constant noise of transport and people. The work is presented in an aerial view showing the audience the full picture. Bradford seems to have captured his vision very well, as just upon looking at the piece as a whole, you get the gist of it. However, if you look closer, you can see details of graffiti and marks that resemble neon street signs and club lights. Such detail is key with showing the current time. The piece was created in 2004 when city life was still very much alive but now 20 years later it has advanced even more. One might say that many cannot live without the technological advancements which have taken over our daily lives. Humans have become so reliant on technology and this is not a new discovery. It has been happening since the industrialization period of the Victorian era, where machinery has become the new fuss, one might say. Bradford’s use of blur in his piece signifies that there is so much happening in today's world it's hard to follow. Every day there are new things being introduced to us, from computers in the 90s to AI systems in 2024. Many are amazed by these advancements, but for some, they are a concern. These are also issues, as with this, many forget life without them. Addiction to Phones and iPads, anything technological, is a real issue. As many cannot live without them and a slight buzz of a phone can take away their whole concentration.

There are many studies which have been taken out to investigate the effects of technology on people, especially the younger generation which has not experienced life without technology has “Findings suggest that attachment dimensions exert not only a direct but also an indirect effect on technology addiction through self-esteem and persistence” [2] This is rather important as it signifies that technology is a big impact on peoples personality. Through his art piece I believe that Bradford tries to bring this thinking to light and it's quite interesting to see that even though this piece is 20 years old it still has the same significance today as it did back then.

As an illustrator, I think relativity is a big factor in today's art, especially modern art. Pieces that are easy to understand help bring to light today’s issues. However, it's not always a negative. It may also be the admiration of industrialization and how far we as a community and as people have managed to go. As a human being living in the world, I believe such artworks give the power of imagination whether it makes you think whether the artist is trying to be negative or positive. I think that’s important, as today we are fed what is right or what is wrong through social media, and we rarely stop to think about such matters ourselves. Visiting Tate Modern was definitely eye-opening to me as for an artist as there were many amazing pieces, however los Moscos 2004 was definitely the centerpiece of the exhibition.

References

1.Tate, 2024. *Andy Warhol and Mark Bradford*. [online] Available at: <https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/display/media-networks/andy-warhol-and-mark-bradford> [Accessed 10 December 2024].

2.Remondi, C., Compare, A., Tasca, G.A., Lo Coco, G., Chiozza, V., Favini, A., Carrara, S., Greco, A., Poletti, B., Zarbo, C. and Brugnera, A., 2022. The effects of attachment, temperament, and self-esteem on technology addiction: A mediation model among young adults. *Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking*, 25(4), pp.258-263.

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Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking

In the text “Walking After Midnight: Women, Sex, and Public Space,” I came across many eye-opening themes and ideas. The main point of the text is to explore the reasons behind a woman’s discomfort when walking, not only at night but on an everyday basis. The text's intention is to show that this is not just a modern concept but something that has been a large-scale issue for many centuries. The text begins by looking at the year 1870, when a young woman, Caroline Wyburgh, aged 19, goes “walking” with a sailor. At that time, walking was regarded as courtship—a time when two lovers could spend time together. However, in recent years, with industrialisation and the new modern era, this has changed significantly.

The beauty of a romantic stroll with your partner was a dream, but it confined women to only being allowed to walk with a companion or a supervisor. Otherwise, a woman would be treated as a prostitute. A woman walking in the wrong place at the wrong time would quickly be labelled as immoral or, worse, accused of being a prostitute. The way to prove her innocence was to undergo a painful and humiliating examination. If she didn’t pass, she could be sentenced to months in jail. The process was horrendous: the woman would be tied to an examination couch with her feet strapped. Many innocent women in such circumstances would be 'deflowered' unnecessarily. Solnit explains this issue with a narrative style, using text from James Joyce’s novella The Dead. This approach softens the true horrors of the situation while adding fictional exaggeration. However, everything has its element of truth.

Women have always been treated as a minority—some might say as mere childbearing slaves. It is truly heartbreaking that a woman cannot go for a simple walk without being immediately sexualised and facing sexual harassment, or even rape in some cases. Solnit states, “Women’s walking is often construed as performance rather than transport,” which, sadly, is true. Women are seen as objects for men to satisfy their needs, even if it is just with vulgar thoughts. Solnit emphasises that this issue is not just in England but worldwide and has been the same everywhere since ancient times. Richard Sennett states that Athenian women “were confined to houses because of their supposed physiological defects.” Solnit supports her argument with Sennett’s statement, reinforcing the idea that women are mistreated simply for being women. She then continues to mention that women in ancient Greece lived far from the celebrated public spaces and public life of the cities.

Solnit further strengthens her point about the mistreatment of women by mentioning France in 1876. Before that year, watching women get arrested was a masculine pastime. However, the abuse became so extreme that boulevardiers sometimes tried to interfere and got arrested as well. Later on, these women were pressured to register as prostitutes to be released from prison, but tragically, many committed suicide.

I believe that Solnit is trying to bring attention to the mistreatment of women. She references many historical events and tells these stories in a narrative, almost novel-like manner. However, I think that with modernisation, these problems have eased to a significant extent. In the 21st century, it is common to see women walking the streets alone at any given time, even at night. It is no longer seen as taboo, and they are not immediately labelled as prostitutes or associated with one. However, the trend of sexualising women has not disappeared, and many women are still victims of harassment and rape on various occasions in public spaces.

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Film Analysis: Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki (1997) is a masterful anime movie which combines elements of fairytales with complex themes of environmentalism and more ambiguity. Using Anthropomorphism, the movie brings a natural world to life giving a voice to the overlooked natures forces. It also addresses the moral conflicts between human progress and environmental preservation. In this analysis, I will explore how Princess Mononoke uses fairytale tropes and anthropomorphic representation and many artistic decisions to enforce the films exploration of environmental issues.

As Princess Mononoke is not a western fairytale it does not strictly adhere to the traditional structures of the Western fairytales. It does however incorporate several key parts such as the hero journeys moral ambiguity and transformation used from the fairytale traditions to tell its story. By using these elements, it allows the film to frame its narrative within a larger context well also engaging with the humanities relationship with the natural world.

The main character Ashitaka goes onto a journey that reflects Joseph Campbell Bell’s model of a hero journey where the hero adventures into unknown and faces trials and seeks to restore balance. in the story, the main character is cursed by a boy Demon infected by a bullet which then forces him to set out on a quest to find a cure further on his journey takes him through mystical magical landscapes, encountering both gods and humans who take on opposing views on nature and progress unlike the traditional fairytale where hero typically defeat a villain and save the day.Ashitaka has a quest which is one of understanding and healing as he seeks to balance the warring forces of industrialisation and nature (campbell, 1949).

Prettiest Mononoke also on the minds the traditional good versus evil dynamic which is often found in fairytales. The characters in the film are morally complex, therefore challenging simplistic problems. In the movie, Lady Eboshi who is the leader of the iron town stands for that industrialisation and as she does appear as a villain due to her exploitation of nature her motives such as her efforts to improve the lives of women and expand human development compare her role as a foe. Similarly, san, princess mononoke, flights to protect the forest but has a deep hate for humanity. this contradicts her status has the heroic figure. These characters suggest that the true conflict in the film is not between the good and evil but between competing world views human-centred progress versus a reverence for the natural world (Denison,2019).

The main motive in many fairytales is transformation where characters undergo a spiritual moral or a physical change. in this movie both Ashitaka and the land itself on the go these transformations. Ashitakas cause symbolises the damage caused by the industrialisation and his journey mirrors the potential for ecological restoration. by the end of the film Ashitaka understand the importance of the connection of all life suggesting that vindication for both individuals and nature as possible through empathy and understanding. This team of transformation is a hallmark of many factors where the hero must change to restore harmony to the world. (Morgan,2015).

The director Miyazaki uses anthropomorphism to combine the natural world with human traits, allowing animals spirits and even the forest to become characters of their own by giving voice to elements of nature. The film gives the audience a opportunity to emphasise with the non-human forces of the mistreated and given a role as made background in western movies.

One of the main themes of Princess Mononoke is the contrast between anthropocentric and eccentric world views. As lady Eboshi stands for the antic perspective seeing nature as a resource which is exploited for human benefit her industrial ambitions exemplified by the destruction of forests to create the iron in town reflect a mindset that trees nature something to be controlled and owned. In contrast, san the boar god and the other spirit in the movie represent the eccentric view where nature is seen as sacred and deserves to be protected and cared for. The anthropomorphic treatment of these characters highlights the emotional and moral struggles making their actions much more understandable and tragic. The boar god's violent wrath, driven by the devastation of its habitat, is not mindless but a response to ecological injustice (Fadli,2022). My representing these perspectives as equally valid the film challenges the viewer to consider the moral and ecological consequences of both human development and the given desire to protect nature.

One of the most significant uses of anthropomorphism in the film is the portrayal of the forest prayer the powerful deity capable of both lives given in life taking the forest spirit dual nature destructive in one and naturing in another reflects the inherent power of nature which can both sustain life and bring death when disrupted. The dualities in important to the films environmental message of when humanity disrupt natural balance it risks provoking destruction. The transformation of the first spirit from a gentle life-giving entity to vengeful energy consuming force illustrates the potential consequences of ecological harm. The film uses imagery to remind viewers that nature’s power is not something to be taken for granted. (Morgan,2015).

Miyazaki uses colour lighting framing and symbolism to deepen the films exploration particularly the contrast between industrialisation and nature. These visual things enhance the emotional way of the narrative. The clear visual contrast between the industrial as well and the natural environment is emphasised through the lighting and colour schemes iron in town is depicted in harsh cold lighting with a pallet of Grey and brown is representing the humanising effect of industrialisation. this gives the audience a much colder feeling not giving them much sympathising with the town however the natural world especially the forest and its inhabitants is presented in a warm soft light with rich vibrant colours. The feral glow surrounding the forest spirit emphasises the mystical and sacred nature of the natural world reinforcing the film's ecological themes. (Abbey,2015).

Framing place, a key in conveying the relationship between characters and the environment. The main character is often framed exceedingly small in comparison to the tower in gods of the forest. This emphasises his role as a link between order between humanity and nature the wide shots of the lush forest give a sense of splendour and holiness while the cramped industrial space of Iron town emphasise the oppressive nature of uncontrolled human intrusion into the environment. The smallest tree spirits called the Kodama act as symbols of natures fragility presenting delicate balance that exists between the human and natural worlds (Denison,2019).

In conclusion through the use of fairytale tropes and anthropomorphises and visual techniques princess Mononoke address is pressing ecological issues while exploring complex relationships between humanity and a natural world by representing both human and non-human characters with much more depth and moral complexity the film resist simplistic complex of good versus evil and challenges viewers to look at the consequences of their actions. In the end Princess Mononoke called for a more empathetic approach the nature one acknowledges the power and importance of seeking harmony with the human world. I believe this movie gives a very important view on today’s struggles, especially with the constant troubles of climate change due to industrialisation it provides a view which many choose to ignore however through the use of storytelling and fairytales they embedded the deeper meaning to a large audience which hopefully will understand the deeper meaning of the movie.

References:

 Abbey, K.L., 2015. ‘“See with Eyes Unclouded”: *Mononoke-hime* as the Tragedy of Modernity’. *Resilience*, 2(3), pp. 113-119. Available at:https://mdx.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/44MUN_INST/12efun5/cdi_crossref_pri [Accessed 10 November 2024].

 Campbell, J., 1949. *The Hero with a Thousand Faces*. Princeton University Press.[Accessed 10 November 2024]

 Denison, R., 2019. *Princess Mononoke: Understanding Studio Ghibli’s Monster Princess*. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Available at: https://www-screenstudies-com.ezproxy.mdx.ac.uk/encyclopedia?docid=b-9781501329753 [Accessed 10 November 2024]

 Fadli, Z.A., 2022. Representation of Anthropocentric and Ecocentric Figures in Hayao Miyazaki’s *Princess Mononoke*. *E3S Web of Conferences*, 359, pp. 3027-3032. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202235903027 [Accessed 10 November 2024].

 Moss, S. (2017) 'Why *Princess Mononoke* is even more relevant 20 years later', *Dazed Digital*, 18 October. Available at: https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/36735/1/why-princess-mononoke-is-even-more-relevant-20-years-later (Accessed: 10 November 2024).

 Exploring Believability (2012) 'No specific title provided', Exploring Believability, 1 January. Available at: http://exploringbelievability.blogspot.com/2012/01/ (Accessed: 10 November 2024).

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Once Upon A Time By Marina Warner

Analysis

The text that I had read is Once upon a time, by Marina Warner within the text we see the deeper meaning of fairytales and their true understanding. We are told that fairytales are much more than the plot they unfold. The text discusses Bruno Bettelheim’s, ‘the uses of enchantment’ which is a psychoanalytic study of fairy tales he argues that fairy tales are deeply symbolic narratives that express the unconscious truth. Maria Tatar notes that ‘fairy tales are still arguably the most powerfully formative tales of childhood and permeate mass media for children and adults. These stories so called fairy tales also create a path for women and men to cope with personal anxieties, family conflicts and frustrations of life. which supports Bettelheim’s opinion. He uses the psychoanalysis to uncover the true meanings behind fairy tale elements such as forests, glass and wolves interpreting them with deeper meanings. It also intertwines into the psychoanalytic work of Sigmund freud. this connects the two themes by showing them as a mirror to the unconscious and a tool for personal development. Bettelheim highlights the symbolic elements as representations of psychological concepts, for example the forest represents a dangerous, unknown world, and the wolf stands for sexual dangers or the loss of innocence.

Going back to Freud, Bettelheim explains that fairy tales are like dreams, as they reveal suppressed desires and emotional conflicts one may have. The text references ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ by Charles Perrault and how it ends with a moral about dangers of disobedience which lead to sexual seduction. Tying the story to the themes of sexual maturity and societies prohibitions. The concepts of fairy tales are always not just bittersweet tales but deeper psychological stories, which help children with their developments.

The text has a clear standpoint of its argument, “fairy tales are not only. Stories but also serve as a tool for emotional and psychological development” Bettelheim argues that these fairy tales help children with complex emotions by providing symbolic representations of those emotions. His argument stands. Strong point from his use of ‘psychoanalytic theory’ to give interpretations of these stories. He draws a connection using Freuds theories and his personal experiences as a Holocaust survivor. This gives his analysis much more depth and credit. On the other hand, the argument also has weaknesses particularly in the lack of cultural and gender diversity. Bettelheim usually does not consider the social and cultural contexts in which the stories were told. He tends to reinforce traditional gender roles, which has been criticised by feminist scholars. He also tends to overlook some specific historical, cultural, and social functions of these fairy tales. Overall, his approach is successful as it opens a new way of interpreting stories that people usually see as just entertainment, revealing the underlining deep psychological significance.

On the contrary this approach has some problems as it tends to generalise the role of fairy tales across cultures and ignores traditional diversity. His gendered interpretation has been criticised for reinforcing traditional gender roles, particularly the ideas of a female damsel in distress. The text underlines critical issues about the psychological aspects of fairy tales however their cultural and historical contexts need to be reassessed.

As an illustrator the discussion of the text is truly relevant. Bettelheim’s interpretations encourage the use of symbolic imagery. I believe its particularly important that art has a deeper meaning, and it gives it much more depth and sentimentality. The text also explores anthropomorphism that inspire illustrations where inanimate objects and nonhuman beings can take on human-like qualities. This opens a much wider range of creativity for illustrators and a way to depict deeper themes without explicitly telling them, allowing more symbolism to visual stories.

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This life drawing piece is focused on the theme of identity. throughout the piece you can see the two figures as a female and male however with a closer look you may see its true understanding as the models have switched gender. Through this switch we can see a deeper connection of both the genders understanding of each-other. But you also get the sense of societal norms of how one should dress to associate with their identity. The representation of the body is selective and it shows that you are what you would want to be. The position and use of tone makes the image seem somewhat upsetting. As it seems like the womanly presented figure is providing some sort of support towards the other figure. Ultimately i believe the outcome of this image has a good and encouraging impact as it shines a light on those who are trapped as a identity they dont wish to be as society doesn’t always allow one to express themselves, as it may seem too extreme or not the norm and you may be alienated. But the outcome of this image shows a light on the deep impact of such problems in todays world.

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Carolee Schneemaann Artist Research

Carlolee Schneemann (1939-2019) was an innovative artist who specialised in performance and multimedia art, which reflected and influenced feminist ideology. Her art was shaped by the society and politics of the 1960s, especially the civil rights movement and second wave feminism. In her work she constantly challenged traditional art where women were presented as delicate. With her work she presented provocative ideas such as in her piece “Meat Joy”(1964) in which she had a set of “Eight performers— including Schneemann—covered in paint, paper, and paint brushes crawled and writhed together, playing with raw fish, meat, and poultry.”1 This art piece critiqued the society's constraints on the female body while celebrating it.

In another of her works “interior scroll” (1975) schneemann pulls a scroll from her vagina while reading the text from it which is a feminist monologue, confronting male narratives within art. With this act she presented the female body as a site of power challenging its objectification. She had once stated “i am not a female artist, i am an artist” reflecting her desire to fight the gender labels. This art piece could be interpreted as a shot at those who have questioned whether a woman can be a female artist. Schneemann had taken the images from her performance and inserted them within text that was criticism from her male peers, you could see this was her way of mocking them back for mocking her ideas.

Schneemann also explores the connection in her art, addressing race, sexuality and identity. In her art piece “fuses”(1965) she had documented (recorded) her intimate relationship with her partner James Tenney. In this performance art piece she questions societal taboos relating to sexuality and intimacy. It is believed that her approaches to presenting identity and blending personal experiences with political criticism have created a new way for future artists to engage with complex themes of race, class and gender. Her legacy is still believed to be celebrated in contemporary art, as her work continues to inspire discussions around the body as a canvas for expression. Some believe that her contributions have reshaped the course of contemporary art.

Schneemanns art is not particularly something I enjoy , however when looking into her art pieces and performances, I have seen her reasoning and it does give you a sense to think about society's interpretations of identity.

Museum of Modern Art. n.d. "Untitled" [Artwork]. MoMA. Available at: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/126279 (Accessed: 12 October 2024).

Schneemann, C. 1964. Meat Joy [Performance]. Available at: [https://artlyst.com/news/carolee-schneemann-pioneering-feminist-artist-dies-age-79/] (Accessed: 12 October 2024).

Schneemann, C. 1975. Interior Scroll [Artwork]. Available at: [https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/schneemann-interior-scroll-p13282] (Accessed: 13 October 2024).

Schneemann, C. (1964-67) Fuses. 29:37 min, color, silent, 16 mm film on HD video. Available at: [https://www.eai.org/titles/fuses](Acessed:13 October 2024)

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Summary of Lynda Nead's "Theorising the female nude"

In the text by Lynda Nead “theorising the female nude” we explore theories of the representation of the female body. This is within cultural and social areas that define the feminine. Within the text there are references from theorists like Kenneth Clark, Jacques Deridda and Mary Douglas suggesting that the female body is often associated with restriction, order and the male-gaze. Clark argues that classic art reduces females to objects merely there for decoration, reflecting the cultural norms which reflect the control over the female, but not only the female nude but also the viewers gaze. On the other hand Douglas states that bodily representation and disorder are connected. However Freud states that the body shapes identity.

Derrida critiques highlight the role of framing in creating meaning, which suggests that the female nude metaphorically instills the societies attempt to regulate the female autonomy and sexuality. The desired female body is compared to purity and delicacy. In the text we also see the case of Lisa Lyon, a bodybuilder whose representations challenge and also reinforce the traditional femininity. Through a collaboration with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, Lyons images create the equality of empowerment and constrain. In the end strengthening the restriction and enpowerment ending in extending  the strength of patriarchal definitions of femininity.

Foucault's ideas show how power drives women to regulate their bodies to fit social standards, creating harmful ideas like anorexia nervosa. The text compares the “naked” vs the “nude” where one is shown as inferior and linked to femininity, on the other hand the other shows the control, a idealised representation. Clark analyses Manets “Olympia”, and using that blends nakedness and nudity creating a complication. In conclusion the text looks into the difficulties of female representation in art, emphasising how cultural differences change the perceptions of identity, femininity and power.