Discussions Questions #3

1. In the second episode from the beginning Berger addresses his own distinction and take between the two terms that are interrelated. He states that based from Western art, nakedness is where one is true to oneself and being content whereas when it comes to a nude it’s to be naked for others typically spectators while not being acknowledged as a human being but rather as an object. I believe it’s significant as “nudes” are targeted toward a certain audience which caters to the male spectator judged as a sight for them. Yes I do believe this does apply today towards images I’ve seen everywhere which includes various forms of entertainment like movies and television shows, advertisements,magazines,social media and more where society imposes what a woman
   or beauty should seem for themselves and to others who may be surveying them.
2. In Western works it shows the women being submissive and obedient, implying an awareness of being seen by the spectator but this sign is not of her own accord or feelings just to the male demands, compared to other art works such as Indian,Persian and African art contrary to European tradition in these art works it displays nakedness as a celebration of active sexual love between two people both woman and the man actions being active and complement of each other. It’s significant as it was relevant in the past and still remains present somewhat still in our society where the female has no emotions or desires of herself and treated by her beauty as objects in society where back then males were considered to be better as they were part of a higher hierarchy while the female is simply there to accompany the male and fulfill whatever is needed for the male just to flatter and address to his every desire and whims. Yes I believe these deceptions are still in effect in our thought process between men and women roles in our society that are shown in advertising, television and even on social media of the way the females being treated and illustrated throughout many industries.
3. Berger states the significance of the mirror as a principal part using the subject Sussannah from the painting since as she uses to look at herself in mirror while also being spectated from the elders, he states the mirror as a symbol of vanity for a women which isn’t the case at all. She uses this object to see how she views herself in front of the men in which turn ultimately considers herself as a sight for men disregarding any notion or self worth of herself allowing men to freely use this as a form of pleasing their own desire and pleasures. Berger exhibits paintings such as “Allegory of Time and Love” and “La Grande Odalisque” throughout this program that upon closer observation you can notice that the female gaze is often towards an unknown stranger, the man who would be spectating her the only who matters in this case. Even when there’s a male lover the female gaze is rarely if ever directed towards him but still towards the male viewer looking at the painting or image. To further prove his point he shown examples from paintings and photographs from magazines that both show similar expressions which the female exhibits expressions from their gaze, to the way they’re posing their body to even something simple as showing no hair on them (this was a form of sexual passion) just to submit towards the spectator so he may feel as if he’s in control. This applies today even towards many magazines and adverts that illustrate the same expressions and actions of the female where the spectator is judging and objectifying them based on their beauty.