Lecture NINE// Identity

Theories of Identity

Essentaialsim ( Traditional Approach 

Our Biological make up makes us who we are

We all have inner essence that makes us who we are 

Physiognomy- The facial features, if you had a straight face you were said to be intelligent, if you had a slanted face you were considered to be stupid.

Phrenology - Black science meaning it is not a real science, based on a idea that its made up, based on a white skin blue eyed person. Allows for anybody who doesn't have a perfect look to be considered more human. Cesare Lombroso (1835 - 1909) was the founder of Positivist Criminology- The notion that criminal tendencies are inherited. 

Physiognomy Legitimising Racism

Examples in Fine Art- Artest sometimes exaggerating racial face types, portrayed as being Sub Human. Hieronymous Bosh ( 1450 - 1516) 'Christ carrying the Cross, Oil on Panel 1515.  

Chris Ofili, Holy Virgin Mary, 1996 

Pre-Modertn Identity- Secure Identifies such as Farm workers, Soldiers, Factor workers, The House wife, The Gentleman. Modern Identity 19th and early 20th centuriesCharles Baudleaire - The Painter of Modern Life (1863). Thorstein Velblen- Theory of the Leisure Class. 

The Flaneur - Gentleman stroller. Veblen- 'Conspicuos consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman leisure. 

Modern identity, 19th and early 20th centuries. Simmel

• Trickle down theory 
• Emulation
• Distinction 
• The 'mask' of Fashion' 

Georg Simmel writes about the feeling of isolation.  Discourse Analysis. Possible Dicources 

• Age 
• Class
• Gender
• Nationality etc.

Discourses being considered.

• Class
• Nationality 
• Race -OTHERNESS
• Gender and sexuality -OTHERNESS

 Class

Humphrey Spender/ Mass Observation, Worktown project, 1937 

Martin Parr, New Brighton, Merseyside (1983)

He photographs people on holiday, is he making a social comment on the way people live. Other photos of Martin Parr, Sedlescombe. 

Vivienne Westwood, Anglomnia Collection, Autumn/ Winter. 

Las Vegas- The idea that in the modern age do you really have to travel to see things. Most Americans don't have passports, why do you need passports when you have the internet? 

Race

Chris Ofili 'No Woman No Cry' & 'Captain Shit and the legend of the Black Stars'1994.

He's work goes on top of elephant dung because that what he thinks the white race thinks about the black race. As a teenager he begins thinking about Black super heroes and how their aren't any.

Gillian Wearing, A series of photographs. Is she taking photos of the black stereotype?

Alexander Mcqueen, Its a Jungle Out There collection 1997-8. 

Gender and Sexuality

Edmund Bergler draws attention to how woman are dressing and how it is men that dress them, design them. 

Sarah Lucas, Au Natural

Sam Taylor, Wood, Portrait

Tracey Emin, Everyone I have ever slept with 1963. 

The Wounderbra 'I can't cook, Who cares? 

Gillian Wearing, Lynee, 1933-6.       

The Post-modern Condition 

Post modern theory

Identity is constructed through our social experience.

Erving Goffman, The Presentation of self in everyday life (1959). 

Zygmunt Bauman 

Identity (2004)

Liquid Modernity (2000)

Liquid Love (2003)              

Gillian Wearing's photographs, From Signs that say what you want them to say and not signs that say what someone else wants them to say 1992. 

Postmodern Identity

Rene Descarted (1596 - 1650) 

quote by Tom Hodgkinson (2008) 

Real and Virtual chase for second life divorce couple. a couple started a second life.