The Binding and Control of the Female Form within the Masculine Gaze Essay

The Binding and Control of the Female Form within the Masculine Gaze - Essay Example Through Georgia O’Keefe, however, the association of the female form at its most intimate when it is revealed through the aspects of nature allows for a sense of desire to be viewed without overtones of violence or degradation. As the discussion turns to the public sphere, the idea of the female in the work place, the concept of domination becomes more acutely visible, the vulnerability of the nude replaced by the idea of male domination over female office workers whose existence is dependent upon their beauty and sexual appeal. Within the span between the mid 19th century to the mid 20th century, the vulnerability of the female form turned from the willingness to accept those chains to the tension of patriarchal subjugation in the public sphere. The female nude has been a subject for art for centuries. The nude form reveals human beings at their most vulnerable. One of the best examples of this type of vulnerability can be seen in the sculpture titled The Dying Gaul (Figure 1 ). In order to understand the human belief in the idea of the nude it is interesting to examine this expressive piece of sculpture from the Hellenistic period. While the original does not exist, antiquity has saved the Roman copy of this piece in order to give to posterity an example of the human view of nudity as it relates to vulnerability. The warrior is nude in order to humiliate him and his homeland, unclothed to denote his weakness without weapons or armor on the field of battle (Perry, 1882). His death is not complete; he lives in the state between life and death as he leans against his hand contemplating the wound that will take his life. He is vulnerable to all things at this point, his strength waning as his body is without protection. In looking at this nude, the viewer can begin to see how the female nude can be understood in relationship to her environment. Figure 1 They Dying Gaul (Ancient Encyclopedia History, 2012) The female nude, on the other hand, is in a conflict ed state for the viewer. The female nude has the power of her sexuality to move those who view her. Being nude leaves the female in a state of vulnerability, an essential violence on the fringes of how she is viewed. The nude and the romanticized idea of rape are never far from one another as she is represented in a form that evokes fear and sometimes anger. Anger can be found through the fear that her sexuality can motivate, manipulate, and make men violate their own principles in order to get near her in that state. It was, after all, the desire for a woman that launched a thousand ships against the city of Troy. The female nude is in a state of vulnerability, but she also has power and creates a conflict upon the viewer. This element of vulnerability and the conflict of sexual power that is held by women has been a resource for artistic creation throughout history. In the history of American art, however, the female nude has been a resource from which to identify the changing rol es of the female gender as it has been reflected through

Journal #8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Journal #8 - Essay Example According to Apex website, Mills Branch Wind is expected to occupy approximately 5000 acres of local open farming land in Eastern Kent and is capable of generating up to 100 MW of homegrown energy, with a potential of powering approximately 30,000 homes every year. The expected number of turbines is 25-30, with approximately  ¼ to  ½ mile spacing on active farmland. Demand for new infrastructure will be limited due to the existing highways and high-voltage power cables. The project intends to cause very limited disruption to farmers hence an opportunity for them to continue with their farming activities. Mills Branch Wind would constitute an important investment in the rural economy by providing revenues to farmers, schools and the government. During construction, 70-100 full time jobs are expected to emerge and 6-8 permanent opportunities at each local facility of operation and maintenance. Kent County is favorable for this project after examination of several potential sites due to: existence of high- voltage cables, affirmed wind resource, adequate commercial farmland for expansion, an existing highway network and location far from sensitive environmental and military areas. Landowners and farmers hosting the wind turbines would benefit adequately from payment of annual lease for a projected period of 25 years, injecting revenues amounting to millions of dollars into the local economy of Kent County. The construction of Mills Branch Wind is in its early stages as extensive studies, community input, permits, engineering and other activities must be finished first. Therefore, Apex is working closely with The Local Government of Kent County and the public to get the project on track. Mills Branch Wind project is not without challenges. The project is facing a lot of opposition from both economic and political environments. The major players in opposition are Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Keep Kent