The Gaze and The Media

Sophie Dahl for optium

The image when rotated gives the viewer a different perspective of the girl. When portrait we tend to look more towards her face. The horizontal image is focused towards the sexual position. 

Titans Venus of urbino 1538

Manet - 'Olympia' 1863

Both images are compared. We see the different position of the hand. One is more defensive and the other is more attracting the viewer. 

Ingres 

Manet - bar at the follies Bergeres 1882

Women standing the bar. She is about to serve us. Arms open waiting for the order. What's strange is the relfection. It's a false reflection. She would normally be straight behind but we see her at an angle. A false perception. 

Jeff wall 'picture for women' (1979)

We get the same perception with this image. The studio behind is reflected 

Coward, r (1984)

 The camera in contemporary media has been put to use as an extension of the male gaze at women on the streets. Everyone behind is carrying on behind the girl in the city. No attention is drawn to her. 

Eva Herzigova 

Gents are perceived in the same way. Male bodies being treated as objects

Dolce and gabbana 

The men are looking back at the camera as if to say 'yes i don't mind you looking at me'

Cinema 

She looks how the camera is breaks down the body into components.

Cinema viewing. Perfect environment for voyeur viewing.

Lara croft: tomb raider

Perfect example in games. She is a visual spectacle for males. Overly sexualised.  

Sarah Lucas 'eating a banana'

Gives us the impression of a sexual act she gives us a look that is very confrontational. 

Sarah Lucas 

Self portrait with fried eggs. 

Gives a reference to small breasts with fried eggs