31st July 2020: Analysing Primary Research from Dissertation for Shoot 1: Sexual Objectifican

A large part of my primary research in my dissertation was quantitative data, in the form of an extensive survey, questioning all members of the public on their emotional reactions to controversial works from Vogue Italia, and if it would incline them to purchase the magazine or not. The latter is not as important as the former when it comes to this project, as I am focusing on creating my own concepts for art direction rather than pleasing an audience. Also, it was clear from my dissertation results that the more controversial the work, in a negative manner, the more impact is made on the audience in terms of communicating important societal topics which may be seen as 'taboo'.

One of the most strongly reacted to shoots in my dissertation was the one regarding sex in an overt manner, especially the ''Tom Ford For Men'' Shoot. A key term describing the work was ''objectifying'', leading me to want to create a work communicating the prevalent problem of female objectification in society. I have done lots of research so far into visually exactly how I am arriving to my idea, so please see the R and D book for many reference images and concepts. The general consensus however is that similarly to the ''Tom Ford For Men'' shoot, I want to portray the woman as not a human, but more as something to be used. I have also been inspired by Guy Bourdin, in the sense that he often portrays women in a almost furniture like manner: as if they are a commodity to the home rather than a contributing, living, breathing human.

(Terry Richardson, Tom Ford For Men Advert, 2007).

(Louise Alexander Gallery, Images from Guy Bourdin Biography on Website for Louise-Alexander Gallery, 2020)

References:

-Richardson, T. (2007). Tom Ford for Men Advert [Online]. Available at: https://www. wmagazine.com/gallery/most-controversial-fashion-ad-campaigns/ [Accessed 27 June 2020]

-Louise-Alexander Gallery (2020). Images from Guy Bourdin Biography on Website for Louise-Alexander Gallery [Online]. Available at: https://www.louise-alexander.com/artist/guy-bourdin/ [Accessed 31 July 2020]