Maybe we have different understandings of what constitutes sexualization. This work is mildly erotic at most, but I stand by my assessment that it is intentionally drawn to be somewhat arousing to the viewer. I just can’t look at this work in the context of the artist’s ouvre and think that she wasn’t aware of the effect her choices for poses, composition, and expression would have. Because of that, I have to conclude that it is intentional.
If it’s acceptable that she attempted this or not (which is what I think underlies the debate on whether or not this image is sexualized) is not really what I’m trying to establish.
Well, I guess that’s also a question of what is meant by intent. I don’t think that the artist made an effort to ensure that people would not find them arousing, but I also don’t think they were primarily drawn for that purpose. Not every element of art is a conscious decision, and I’m not really inclined to speculate about it. Objectification and sexualization can be present regardless of the artist’s conscious intent.
I’ve accepted the single point that Russia’s pose is somewhat sexualized, but other than that, I don’t agree with any other point of your analysis. Ofc it’s pretty subjective, but I just don’t see it, and honestly I think the idea of “female confidence is inherently sexual” feels more and more to me like it underlies a lot of that perspective, and I just want to reiterate that I really strongly object to labelling them as “dommes,” which aside from the sexist undertones I mentioned, it’s also exactly the sort of thing I was talking about in my original comment asking people to chill. Even if there are some mildly suggestive elements, characterizing the art as fetishistic is an absurd overstatement and overreaction. Tbh I find this sort of discourse over what looks to me like an extremely normal drawing of women to be pretty alienating and kinda gross.
Maybe we have different understandings of what constitutes sexualization. This work is mildly erotic at most, but I stand by my assessment that it is intentionally drawn to be somewhat arousing to the viewer. I just can’t look at this work in the context of the artist’s ouvre and think that she wasn’t aware of the effect her choices for poses, composition, and expression would have. Because of that, I have to conclude that it is intentional.
If it’s acceptable that she attempted this or not (which is what I think underlies the debate on whether or not this image is sexualized) is not really what I’m trying to establish.
Well, I guess that’s also a question of what is meant by intent. I don’t think that the artist made an effort to ensure that people would not find them arousing, but I also don’t think they were primarily drawn for that purpose. Not every element of art is a conscious decision, and I’m not really inclined to speculate about it. Objectification and sexualization can be present regardless of the artist’s conscious intent.
I’ve accepted the single point that Russia’s pose is somewhat sexualized, but other than that, I don’t agree with any other point of your analysis. Ofc it’s pretty subjective, but I just don’t see it, and honestly I think the idea of “female confidence is inherently sexual” feels more and more to me like it underlies a lot of that perspective, and I just want to reiterate that I really strongly object to labelling them as “dommes,” which aside from the sexist undertones I mentioned, it’s also exactly the sort of thing I was talking about in my original comment asking people to chill. Even if there are some mildly suggestive elements, characterizing the art as fetishistic is an absurd overstatement and overreaction. Tbh I find this sort of discourse over what looks to me like an extremely normal drawing of women to be pretty alienating and kinda gross.