The image I chose to write about is a picture that was actually taken by Diana Davies that shows Donna Gottschalk holding up a sign that reads “I am your worst fear, I am your best fantasy.” I chose this image because I feel I can make a few connections to Berger’s analyzation of oil paintings in episode 2 of Ways of seeing. The way vanity was shown in oil paintings v.s the way that the image has a woman looking at another woman. The objectification of Women as seen in the oil paintings v.s the non-existent objectification in the image by Diana. You don’t see “nude”, you see “I am your worst fear, I am your best fantasy”. You don’t see men choosing women, you see women choosing themselves. You see something much more different than the oil paintings. I’d like to also take the time to find out how the oil paintings are similar to the image and not just different. For a moment it occured to me how if people don’t know that the picture was taken at a Gay Liberation Parade, one would think that the quote is for a women’s rights march. This made me think of Episode 1 of Ways of seeing, and how the context in which you see the image can change your perception of it. I’m not sure which lens i’ll use yet, but i’m weighing my options. 

The photo above goes against all the traditional European oil painting norms. This woman is standing her ground and is exuding power. Power that belongs to her and only her, and not for the purpose of a man’s gratification. her head is tilted upwards, with a slight smirk, making her look confident in herself and not as if she is trying to please someone else. her feet are planted firmly and spaced apart, a commonly thought “man’s” stance. the sign she is holding is incredibly powerful, “I am your worst fear, I am your best fantasy”. this is alluding to the fact that men constantly fantasize about women, but feel intimidated when they have power or an edge over them in some way. Whatever the case may be, this photo oozes confidence, individuality, and independence. but not just independence in paying her bills, and independence that she has to speak up and not be held down by someone with opposing views. And oddly, this is seen as powerful and encouraged in much of todays society in America, in the sense that the feminist movement is urging women to speak up about their rights, and equal rights for all. Whether that be gender, sexual orientation (like what is being protested here), and race. This is all directly AGAINST what Berger spoke about in the third episode of “Ways of Seeing”, where women were always being depicted as subservient to the men staring back at her.

this video shows how a bisexual muslim women stands up for her rights to be herself, and others like her.