Pretty Isn't Beautiful

Prompt: Why do you think there is a double standard when we look at gender in art verses in advertisements? Women seem to be idolized in fine arts while being exploited in advertisements and commercials.

I think the reason we consider the women idolized in fine arts is because we idolize fine arts (say it a couple times, I swear it makes sense). We place the great painters of the world on pedestals and don't dare think about the people in the picture. But if you take the time to think about it, all too often the women in the painting are being abused rather than idolized. Let's look an example.

Degas: The Ultimate Voyeur

When he wasn't painting Ballerinas, Degas had a fascination with the women of the Burlesque houses. He frequented the French Burlesque houses and often watched the performers dress, undress, and bathe. In these paintings, the models are often not facing or not looking out towards an audience (Think Woman Bathing and Le Toilette). The perspective appears rather voyeuristic Pablo Picasso composed a hilarious set of caricatures of Degas in 1950's. Many of theme feature Degas peering through a secret viewfinder into the private dressing rooms of the dancers. Many people in our class thought his paintings were the most beautiful. I couldn't get through my head that he was nothing but a Dirty old man.

Nevertheless, that is art. An advertisement first and only priority is to make you look. They don't want you to think about the angle that woman is lying on the ground. They want you to want the super hot man that is on top of her to be on top of you. And they want you to believe that Dolce and Gabbana "The One" can do that for you. And, because it makes us want, it is dirty and gross.

YET Andy Warhol covering copper with urine and semen from the New York bathhouses is artistic and deserves to be hung in the MOMA? (It exists. Google: "Andy Warhol" "Oxidation Paintings" "Piss Paintings")

Art makes you think. Advertisements make you want.