Transformation Project

            Since the feminism movement started forty years ago, woman’s role in society has changed dramatically. Yet, media’s representation of women has remained the same. Women in media tend to be represented with the following “feminine” characteristics: beauty (narrowly defined), small physique, emotional (as opposed to intellectual), and dependent (as opposed to independent). Does this reflection mean the status of women has not really changed? I’m not sure. But men have also fallen victim to misrepresentation in the media. “Masculinity” is rigidly defined with the following characteristics: strength (physical and intellectual), power, large physique, and independent. These “typical” male/female stereotypes inspired my transformation project.

            I wanted to address gender misrepresentations in the media. While flipping through the February 2010 issue of Glamour magazine, I ran across a five-page photo spread of Katy Perry. Each photo clearly portrays the “typical” male/female stereotypes. In the first photo, five young, attractive, strong, male models hold Perry in their arms. Their large muscular bodies dominate Perry’s small physique. She lies passively on her side, depending on them for support. She wears bright pink lipstick, a short blue dress and powder blue heels. She clearly represents the “typical” female stereotype of a small, beautiful, weak and dependant woman. The men wear large baggy blue jeans and white tee shirts. They also clearly represent the “typical” male stereotype of strength, power, large physical body and independent man. I had found my image of gender representation in the media. 

            To transform my image, I wanted to mix-up the “typical” male/ female gender stereotypes and give Perry a stronger persona.  Since she is a popular pop musician, I wanted to represent her as a powerful and solid woman.  Perry sits alone confidently, on top of a Pedi stool away from her admiring fans.   Her body language exudes confidence and self-esteem. She is wearing a suit but still has on many accessories from the original photo spread including: a pink belt, a heart shape ring, and  the power blue heels. The male models are represented as secondary to Perry. Their presence in the photo is simply to show Perry’s popularity. That is why they are located at the bottom of the image. I chopped their bodies and intertwined them to create a male mass, which represent Perry’s fan base.  I cut hearts out of the material from one of Perry’s dresses and glued them around their heads. The message I tried to convey is that Katy Perry is a successful female musician who is independent and strong.  She is popular and is admired by many. -Robin