Comments on: Denise Prince

By: DeniseP

DeniseP — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:57:28 +0000

But underwear are such an interesting factor in female sexuality. For whom are they worn (when more than utilitarian)? And the appearance of the thong (I’m told it is a trickle down from porn like so much of what serves for popular culture’s definition of female sexuality – not in the service of feminine pleasure). I must say I no longer have a keen ear to feminism which would help me handle this discussion more as I’d like.

I’ll look at Milana’s work but I must say I don’t want to identify myself as alienated. I felt that by owning both a more culturally identified (and gorgeous) brassiere and inelegant underwear I could somehow create an in between. Loyal and of service ultimately to neither.

Denise

By: Cathy

Cathy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:25:34 +0000

Dear Denise and Stacia,

I became very caught up in your conversation…found myself wondering how seriously we can take any definition of sexuality prescribed by the nature of our underwear!

The notion of the alien/alienated body is explored by Milana Braslavsky in her curiously distorted photo portraits on this site.

Best regards,

Cathy

By: DeniseP

DeniseP — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:09:18 +0000

I agree and I think it is probably the most loaded if not the most difficult space to work in as a woman. How do we claim our sexuality without objectifying ourselves within this society /history? While it is important it is also dangerous ground. At least for me as a woman who strives towards a voice that honors women.

By: StaciaY

StaciaY — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:31:00 +0000

I understand what you are saying about the choice of underwear. That makes a lot of sense. I hadn’t thought about it before because I was thinking of the protagonist (it seems weird to keep saying “you”) as an individual, and not representative of a group. But it’s true that she resists being a sexual object, despite being in her underwear. She is also not un-sexual. She is a sexual subject, as well as many other things. I like that about the piece.

By: DeniseP

DeniseP — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:01:02 +0000

I do think the subject of looking good is interesting and relevant. In many ways.

The difficulty in making this work is in moving past my boundaries of shame and my desire to appear attractive, composed and normal (among other things). While the French brassiere is lovely, exquisite the underwear I chose were not only torn but thin and unflattering. I wanted to use a piece that reflected a desire to look “good” and one that was practical, honest, humble and not meant to be seen much less displayed. I tend to watch my own work through my fingers. While we each have our own internal perception of self and self in the world, by pushing past my own I hoped to stand for that internal activity in general.

The dancing was spontaneously choreographed but I see several impulses within it; different styles referenced. The important element was that it followed an internal drive. Because of the disregard for boundaries I believe it moves into territory that could be called freedom. The Jagger reference rises from this willingness to be seen and lack of shame in my opinion. I ran across some old footage of Jagger performing. That element is part of what performers seem to offer. Whether actors, dancers, musicians, etc. We hold a space daily life does not give permission to embody regularly. I’m questioning what function the self-control (self image.. sense of shame..) we (and I as a woman) employ in daily life serves. And what disregard for it makes possible. In the same way that I follow the lead of fashion I also follow the examples of performers – semi-consciously. I’m interested in the ways popular culture becomes common language. Becomes motivation and example. Becomes internal voice.

And about vlogging. I don’t watch it or television although I’m aware of it. My strategies are certainly informed by this but moreso from the language of cinema, art and dance. There are fundamental differences in motivation and professionalism. I work to create a space for intimacy and possibility that serves feminism more than myself as an individual. I choose narratives that speak towards the universal, towards the political. I hope to speak for women.

I love the image of the train wreck. I do like to think I allow myself to be laughed at (and not comedically), make mistakes and allow for greater freedom for it.

By: StaciaY

StaciaY — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:16:57 +0000

This is a very interesting video, for lots of reasons. Firstly, (as it was already brought up in the post) you DO look good in your underwear. That may seem superficial, but the perception of looking bad or looking good is relevant. Everyone is going to experience that part of the video differently and through the lens of their own experience of their bodies or of other people’s bodies. Some might watch you as a sexual object, others as a stand in for themselves. To me, an overweight female trying to be more present in my skin, I’m delighted to see the way you move and look. The energy of the dancing IS a bit like Mick Jagger (is that what they meant?), but also like an adolescent with spazzy energy that has no where else to go. The movements seems to swing back and forth between categorization. It’s never the same thing. Sometimes it’s dancing, sometime playing with the dog. Sometimes it’s like a seizure, sometimes it is just rocking out at a concert.

I’m also interested in this piece in relation to Vlogging on YouTube and the like. Is it something you are inspired by or responding to? The personal confessional has new resonance in our culture, because everyone can do it and post it on the internet. Sometimes it’s extremely boring, other times inspiring, and other times like watching a train wreck. The need to see truth in individuals or to express personal truths is highlighted and called into question by the prevalence of user-generated content. I’d love to hear what you think about this? And I can’t wait to look at more work on your website. Thanks for posting.