COP Lecture- Identity

we all have an inner essence that makes who we are

Modern Identity 19th and early 20th century 

Charles Baudelaire the painter of mental life

Above Gustave Caillebotte paris street rainy day

Simmel:

-trickle down theory

-emulation

-distinction

-the 'mask' of fashion

The painting above is about the upper class distinguishing themselves by their fashion, and how the middle class look up the the upper class fashion, it all bubbles up. This idea works the same within other things such as street artists may get inspiration from graphic designers. 

he introduces the ides of 'flaneur' (gentleman-stroller)

George Simmel suggests: inividual withdraw into themselves to find peace, he describes this as the separation of the subject. 

Veblen- 'conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure' 

Le pont de l'Europe 1876

possibel discourses

-age

-class

-nationality

-race/ethnicity

-gender 

-sexuality

Class

The above photos were taken in Bolton of the working class, the photos were taken by Humphrey Spender who works for mass observation, the project called 'work town' (1937) documentary photography. He captures the working class of the thirties perfectly with these black and white film photos, they take us back in time. 

Martin Parr, New Brighton, Merseyside from the last resort 1983-86

These photos really make a statement and show the middle class. Parr has little things in the photos to show that they are working class for example on the top image the stain on the ladies dress. It also shows that they are middle class by sunbathing next to a digger.

Above are some images of Alexander McQueens 'Highland Rape' collection 1995-6 

McQueen is a very controversial fashion designer and some people say this is how how he became so famous. Down the catwalk the models would stagger and not walk the models apper brutal in conjunction with the word 'rape' 

Nationality 

Las Vegas

Las vegas is a new culture and has a mini everything, mini Eiffel tower, pyramids ect. 

76% of Americans don't have passports as they feel they have it all in Las Vegas, however this is a dumbed down version and they don't really experience any culture, with peoples busy lifestyle Las Vegas is a quick fix. 

Racial 

Chris Ofili- no woman no cry 1998

this piece depicts radial identity, it is a unique piece held up by elephant poo

Sexuality

Tracey Emin- everyone I have slept with

This is another controversial piece, it is titled 'everyone I have ever slept with' we automatically think thats all the people she has had sex with but its actually just the popele she's shared a bed with for a night, the names include her nan and grandad and friends from when she had sleepovers. this produced a lot of controversity of girls being 'slag's' or 'sluts' but if boys sleep around it almost gets celebrated.