Project Statement

In the contract, Gender, Sexuality & Imagery in the Burlesque Revolution, the student will study burlesque and pinup as a cultural, gender and sexual phenomenon and revolution. The project will be centered on documentary and photography work.

The student will go in depth into the creation of the images relevant in burlesque and pinup by creating photographs and calendars inspired by this style in order to gain a better understanding of the effect that this imagery had on sexual history. For research materials, he will watch several documentaries on burlesque including, A Wink and a Smile, Burlesque, Gender Rebel, and Gypsy. Additional research will include the books, Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective by Linda L. Lindsey , Our Sexuality 10th Edition by Robert Crooks and Karla Baur, Horrible Prettiness: Burlesque and American Culture by Robert Clyde Allen.

Every three weeks the student will be expected to have finished one book and completed a seminar with the students’ partner and written a weekly response on what the student has read in his blog. Every other week the student will be expected to have watched one film and completed a video response in his blog. The students’ main focus is on the production of burlesque and pin up imagery and interviews. During the whole 10 weeks the student will schedule interviews and photo shoots with different subjects in order to explore more in depth the effects of burlesque and pinup on modern American culture. A minimum of 6 photo shoots and interviews shall be done. Each photo shoot will accompany a questionnaire completed by the model to provide feedback to the student. The student will pursue an ACE certificate during the quarter as well. Towards the end of the quarter the student will prepare a final product displaying the images in a calendar along with their counterpart interviews. A final evaluation will be completed displaying what the student has learned from his research and experiences during the quarter.

Week 1 Summary

As week 2 begins I look back on week one. The progress I made I feel was unsatisfactory, though I am pry wrong. I met with my contract sponsor and my partners and 3 other students who have common artistic contracts similar to mine. It was quite nice, it bolstered my confidence in this project, as did writing everything out including a week to week schedule and doing the Human Subject Review form, that settled my wavering mind. A mind which has been going a mile a minute worrying about whether or not I will be registered on time. Sadly, most likely not, just a matter of 50 to a 100 dollars. Trudge on, as they say.

I began reading Horrible Prettiness: Burlesque and American Culture by Robert Clyde Allen, which so far is quite fascinating and well written. Giving a synopsis of the phenomena of burlesque in America. I will go into further detail on the book in my next post at the end of the week.

Things to look forward to this week

First photo shoot with Carly
Reading, reading and more reading
Friday seminar