Gender, Gaze and Otherness Photography

Otherness is defined as being different or differentiating from the dominant race.

Stuart Hall - The Spectacle of the Other

This was a slide from a student presentation. It uses a case study from Stuart Hall's 'The Spectacle of the Other'. Richard Dyer argues that black people are considered to be "other" and the actor/singer, Paul Robeson, is considered to be desirable because of this otherness. It is suggested that being black in this case is considered to be exotic, which is supposed by Alvarado's theory. Moreover, Robeson is either naked or nearly naked in the photographs, thus creating a fetish over his body. This representation is supported by Hall's argument that black men are objectified to something that is a fetish.

"In psychoanalysis, 'fetishism' is described as the substitute for the 'absent' phallus - as when the sexual drive becomes displaced to some other part of the body. The substitute then becomes eroticized, invested with the sexual energy, power and desire which cannot find expression in the object to which it is really directed" 

In the photographs of Robeson the penis is not directly shown because it is "forbidden", but its connoted signification is appealing to the audience. This fetish then emphasised with the use of a black model, who signifies the other.

This case study implies that photography becomes more interesting when using subjects of the "other" since their difference fascinates the viewer. It is implied that the average viewer is not meant to relate to the subject but instead reduce them to their differences and simply view them as something to look at.

Lee Miller

Lee Miller was an American photographer who was active during the surrealism period from the 1920s. A lot of her work focuses on the binary opposition of men versus women.

The image above shows a woman in a stereotypically male role. The use of shallow focus makes connotes that she is important, which flouts the stereotype that men are inferior to women. Furthermore the woman appears to be looking away from the camera which makes the image look more natural rather than posed. Her facial expression connotes that she in determined. Altogether I think this image represents the topic of the other because it is a woman being represented in a way a man usually would be seen.

Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin's photography challenges stereotypical portrayals of gender and sexuality.

The photo above denotes two drag queens. The use of bright colours compliments their eccentric style whilst the use of muted tones connotes a sense of edginess thus emphasising that they are considered to be other.

In relation to this photograph Goldin states: "I was eighteen and felt like I was a queen too … they became my whole world. Part of my worship of them involved photographing them. I wanted to pay homage, to show them how beautiful they were."

Sarah Maple

Sarah Maple uses her photography to subvert the representations of gender, race, religion and so on.

In the above photo, Maple uses the character Snow White who is traditionally represented as a ditsy woman who exists to serve men. Maple subverts this representation of women by showing that she can be smart instead.
"I wanted to empower the princesses with the thought in mind that this would empower young girls."

I like the idea of using the other in photography in order to establish a relation between the subject and its audience. 

Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus was an American photographer who took pictures of people with abnormalities, representing them as "freaks".  Although it seemed harsh she thought that by using photography she had the power to represent these people in the most honest way. Throughout her life she suffered from depression and eventually commit suicide.

The picture above denotes twins looking directly into the camera. Their faces look different to many people since their ears are really large and protruding. Their direct address and facial expressions make them look intimidating. This emphasises the stereotype that different people are usually not socially excepted and that people are uncomfortable with them. The use of shadows across their faces  makes them look mysterious, again emphasising their otherness.