Contemporary Families An Equity Lens Textbook Chapter 6 Visual Culture Art and Beauty

. VISUAL CULTURE ART AND BEAUTY CULTURE PREVIEW 185 VISUAL CULTURE QUESTIONS As you read this chapter , consider the following questions What is the value of creativity , art , and beauty to American families ?

How does art as representation affect our understanding of American history and current experiences ?

What are the unique challenges and gifts that accompany protest and public art ?

What is the role of the dominant culture in what is as art ?

How do socially constructed ideas about beauty affect American families ?

How does visual culture affect family outcomes ?

What is the effect ( of on potential creators , artists , and ?

186 I EXPERIENCE , EXPRESSION , AND EQUITY EXPERIENCE , EXPRESSION , AND EQUITY Elizabeth Pearce Christopher Byers and Carla for your soul . Proverb If you have only two pennies , spend the first on bread and the other on In this chapter , we will study the effects culture on how families function in the United States . You may wonder about the inclusion of art and beauty in a text that discusses the needs of families . But it can be argued that American individuals and families need art both as individuals and as a civilization . In addition , how society art and what is considered to be ful is relevant to equity and family outcomes . Visual culture is described as the combination of visual events in which information , meaning , or pleasure are communicated to the consumer . The information that we take in through our eyes is both immense and psychologically powerful , affecting us in ways that take time and cognition to understand . It is Figure 81 . Outdoor mural of two boys in the natural world . the intent of this chapter to highlight the ways in which visual culture affects families , both in the way we view ourselves , and in the ways we can access resources such as education , employment , and wealth . Art is one way in which people share ideas , express themselves , and communicate . Consider the painting or print hanging in your doctor office . What about the graffiti you passed on the Way to the bus stop ?

Artistic ledge . 1998 ) What is visual culture ?

In . Ed . The visual culture reader ( , EXPRESSION , AND 187 expression the richness of a culture and energizes our thought processes . We are exposed to art , design , and creativity all day long , whether we realize it or not . How and where an individual is able to access art is largely related to the values and beliefs a culture holds as a standard for determining what is desirable in a society , both by artistic and by beauty standards . Individuals have , individualized beliefs , but can still share collective values . An example is the quote , You can be too rich or too An underlying value that engenders this quote would be that being wealthy and being thin are good and desirable . Values shape how a society views what is beautiful and what kinds of art are valued . Beauty is a concept that is Figure 82 . Art is one Way in which people share flexible and contains contextual depending ' express themselves and on where you live and the time you are living . A family access to art that speaks to their culture , interests , and imagination depends on what is available in the popular media and accessible in their geographic region . In Western Culture , art was historically housed in museums . In Indigenous cultures , art often takes the form of useful objects , such as baskets and clothing . Today art and other imagery are easily accessible in digitized forms of technology , which are accessed through Fig . 83 . One representation ofa Fig . 84 . Another representation of Fig . 85 . Another representation of family . families . a family . the internet . These readily available ways that people can use and access visual culture can breed unrealistic expectations for many people . For example , with the rise of , social media platforms such as Instagram , Facebook , and Snapchat can provide individuals outlets to shape and shift self images so that they can conform more easily to the dominant social standard of beauty . It can be posited then that the dominant culture expectation of physical beauty can and has been what has most heavily Western Culture . The media and films portray a particular standard of beauty setting up a tension between conforming to this standard , individualistic preferences , and cultural practices that may conflict with the idealized concept of beauty . Beauty perceptions affect family members of all ages the relationship of families and society

188 , AND affects the and of children , which in turn affects the kids , and the , and so on . The are shown in the wa we rear our children , which is the emotional connection within the family . In this chapter we will discuss the ways in which art , beauty , and visual cultures affect families in the United States . Art An Historical Context Expression is a fundamental need for human beings . Some human developmental theories , like the Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham , demonstrate that once humans have their basic needs such as food , water , ter , love and , and housing , humans can begin to move into more creative avenues of and . Throughout history , humans have produced artworks . One would be surprised at how far back in time humans were attempting to engage in expression . Scientists have recently found shells dating back years ago that were engraved with small geometric incisions on the While these shells can be debated to be considered art by historians , it important to note that long before the concept of art was created , homo sapiens were trying to do it . The question What is art ?

is one that continues to be debated . Some art historians believe that the oldest piece of art to date ( March 2020 ) has been discovered and originated from the Late Stone Age and the Upper Paleolithic Period , from between and . 2014 , December ) Homo erectus made oldest doodle years ago . Nature News .

. EXPRESSION , AND EQUITY 189 Fig . Prehistoric art carving . Throughout history , art has been passed down from our families , rituals , and ceremonies that are given to us by our communities and interactions with the dominant culture Do human beings have equitable access to create art now ?

Are there barriers that are present in the lives of individuals today that make it or impossible to be able to engage in self expression ?

Systemic barriers that limit families in the United States from meeting basic needs also inhibit equitable access to self expression . Using Art to Teach Visual representations are strong the popular saying a picture is worth words speaks to this power . When it comes to teaching history in the high school setting , it has been found that art is a powerful pedagogy that moves students beyond the understanding that they gain from text alone . Students develop more interest in history , and the potential for examining multiple viewpoints via artistic representation can help students to develop critical thinking skills related to understanding history . Suh summarizes much of the literature related to how students absorb history via artistic . 2008 , November 26 ) Towards a collective understanding of art as a commons . On the Commons .

190 I . AND ( visual , photographic , and musical among others ) in the study , Past Looking Using Arts as Evidence in Teaching Suh focuses on pedagogy and notes that the way in which teachers expose students to art highly students abilities to sort from fact . Unfortunately , exposure to art from the past is not enough , and in fact can harm students abilities to think critically . Teachers must also provide scaffolding to students that helps them to consider the perspective of the artist , the time in history , and the choice about which art is included in textbooks and other historical summaries . Without this guidance and , learners are left to see representations as fact instead of a particular viewpoint of the past . History books ( and the accompanying artistic representations ) are typically presented from the viewpoint of the settlers , also known as the conquerors , or victors . It is important that we understand the experience of all families , not just the families who belong to the culture that now dominates . In the process of establishing dominance , Indigenous families were harmed . For example , children were frequently separated from the rest of the family and sent to schools where they were harshly punished for exhibiting any native language and Violence against Native women was and is still perpetuated at higher rates than against other women , and under Another example comes from Community College in Albany , Oregon . A student made this observation in an art history class I took an art class and when my teacher was showing a painting of the gin Mary it seemed very normal to everyone in my class except for me , until she showed a picture of the Virgin Mary the way that Latinos are used to seeing her the one on the left is a Mexican Virgin Mary and the one on the right is Italian . If my teacher would have never said that it was Virgin Mary who was depicted in the art , I would ve never known because that not how I have seen Virgin Mary growing . Suh , 2013 ) Using arts as historical evidence in teaching history . Social Studies Research and Practice , Little , 2018 , How boarding schools tried to the Indian through assimilation . Amnesty International . Maze of injustice . Retrieved February 26 , 2020 , from

EXPERIENCE . AND EQUITY 191 Figure . Artistic representations of the Virgin Mary . The Virgin Mary is associated with qualities considered positively in Western Culture , which include purity and beauty . Look closely at these images to see how the expression of those characteristics are represented . While these are topics that need greater exploration and explanation , the point of this section is to illustrate the ways in which art always has a viewpoint . While the dominant cultural viewpoint is the one most often seen , art can also be used to express other viewpoints and to initiate critical discussion about the past . Protest Visual art as protest is used both to promote and to express dissatisfaction with ideologies , policies , and social movements . Creative expression is used to express individual and group views , thoughts , and emotions . Because makin art isn alwa an ex venture , man can ate in it . Dis la of art are not limited

192 EXPERIENCE , AND EQUITY to inside the doors of a museum with admission fees . Anyone can access it while out and about in their daily lives it is everywhere . This brings us to the notion of power when people express their thoughts and feelings on paper , on canvas , through media or other outlets , it can have a powerful effect on its audience . This kind of is more equitably available to people in groups and with fewer socioeconomic resources . Fig . 88 . Street art in Berlin , Germany of a portrait of George Floyd . This current example ( June , 2020 ) is a visual reminder of the number of Black men and women who have been killed by police when in helpless circumstances . The protest is not only about George Floyd murder , but also about the overall dominant culture of the police force in the United States . Privileged groups who have a higher distribution of resources , such as wealth , may present their views via protest but also have the means to use art to catch people attention and promote their agendas via advertising , media , and political campaigns . Art has a special place amongst activists and social movements because it can be used as a message to pay attention to a particular issue or injustice . It exists in part to freely express oneself and emotions , gain attention , plant a seed of thought , and inspire passion in some way , shape , or form to actively do something about the issue .

EXPERIENCE . AND 193 Fig . Gay Pride parade marchers holding sign . From , royalty free Both protest and artistic expression are fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment of the of the United States . The melding of the two creates messages that can and empower and families . Artistic expression that protests and argues for power of the underserved is expansive , subjective , and can not into any one Public Art Much of this chapter discusses art that has some kind of museums with entrance fees , or films and other media that require a ticket or subscription price . In this section , we will pay attention to art that may be considered public in one form or another . Public art is often as art that is visually and physically . Wikipedia . Protest art . Retrieved February 28 , 2020 , from

194 . AND accessible to the While it is also often described as representing universal concepts rather than those that are partisan , political , commercial or personal , these authors challenge that notion from two perspectives . The is that the funding for and about public art is still often controlled by dominant or political groups . While efforts have been made to equalize decisions , the tension between money and ideals is real . Secondly , it can be said that all art is personal . What is more personal than an artist vision and creation ?

Some public art is commissioned by a public group , and this can come with restrictions or for the artists . For now , we will stick with the that public art is art that is easily accessed by any member of society . By its nature , public art may be viewed by anyone who can get themselves to the location it is presented . While it is more equitably accessible than art housed in museums , galleries , and media conglomerates , it is important to note that transportation , location , and resources ( both time and money ) prevent many families from accessing public art . Creating and maintaining public art presents unique challenges to equity . Some citizens may hold art that is viewed or funded by the public to a different that emphasizes societal norms . Others may argue that some subjects are inappropriate to display publicly , in particular if children or young adults could view the display . In Community College and Drawing the Line The tensions that can exist around public art displays was demonstrated during the 2017 exhibit Drawing the Line in the hallways of North Hall at Community College ( Curated by Art faculty and students , the art of Andrew Douglas Campbell lined the halls through which the community traversed to class , the lunch commons , and offices . Generally , Campbell explores themes of difference , connection , and identity in his work . He is an artist who merges the mediums of photography and to focus on the response and interaction of social and narrative tensions . To read more from Campbell , view his website here . Wikipedia . Public art . Retrieved June , 2020 , from

Fig . 810 . Art quilt of abstract images made of fabric and thread . All rights reserved . Used with permission . Fig . 811 . Abstract art piece with fabric and thread . All rights reserved . Used with permission . EXPRESSION , AND 195 The public art display at explored multiple subjects , but attention rapidly became focused on one series that examined the relationship of the porn industry and its marketing strategies to the queer community , titled And Then What Could pen Bent to What Will Happen The series is here , on Campbell website . Campbell describes his process I was thinking about the porn industry as a market that I personally had not yet held with the same skeptical eye as I do a lot of other economies , and so I started to look at that and part of it is true , they have tapped into a tain desire of mine . Part of it is I very skeptical of it , said Campbell . It made sense to me that I should render their material sort it so fragile it can be blown away . It important but unimportant at the same time , it present and not present , it solid and transparent . That where I came up with these very loose airy images that are barely there but still very . Guy , 2017 , October 25 ) Drawing the line Artist Andrew Douglas Campbell speaks on behalf of his controversial work . The Community College Commuter .

196 I . EXPRESSION , AND Fig . and then what will happen bent to what could happen All rights reserved . Used with permission . A local company that pays employees tuition at , and a member of the Board of Directors of the College were most outspoken in their belief that this work should not be displayed in a setting that was publicly ble . There were discussions about this display at every level of the college in offices , classrooms , and the rooms . Ultimately , there were some alterations and adaptations to the exhibit , and it remained in place . read more about the outcomes and to view additional photographs . read this article from the Commuter , the student written newspaper . When considering the diverse structure and viewpoints of families in the United States , it is important to think about whether all families have access to viewing art that speaks to them , that represents them , that inspires them . Limiting art to the viewpoint of any dominant group limits the expression and growth of families . Drawing the Line is the catalyst for related questions would similar artwork that expressed experience have invited the same controversy ?

And why is sexuality considered an offensive or inappropriate subject for public artistic display , and yet scenes of conquerors , violence , and dominance are habitually displayed ?

Examples of and responses to the latter will be discussed in the next sections . In Focus Bellevue Community College Mural In an example of the clash between the dominant culture and the portrayal of a discriminatory act at Bellevue Community College in Seattle , Washington , several administrative leaders lost their jobs when they bowed to pressure to alter the artist statement on a public mural . This is a literal example of whitewashing history , as was used to eliminate the names and based actions of a prominent citizen in March 2020 .

. AND 197 Dilly may hasty arrangements to store or get rid ol a accumulation of property . equipment and personal belongings . Day of Remembrance Japanese immigrants and their descendants did and dangerous work to clear the land you stand on and make Bellevue suitable lor farming and homes . A After decades of . agitation , led by Eastside businessman Miller Freeman ' and others , the mass incarceration ofjapanese Americans Included the so families ( Individuals ) who May we be reminded that Americas racial policies have always had many economic motives and . Each year on this Day ol Remembrance . Japanese Americans alongside other communities strive to reflect and stand up against similar injustices occurring in the United States and elsewhere . Now more than ever . we must work together to make Never Again a reality . Fig . 813 . Images from The Seattle Times . More will be written about this event in future editions of this text , but here are links to the articles describing what happened and what consequences ' Bellevue College apologizes after administrator alters display on American incarceration ' Bellevue College president vice president out after mural on American incarceration was altered Access to Art and Culture Families have unequal access to viewing and experiencing visual culture . Geographical location , nomic status , and social characteristics all access to art . In particular , families in rural areas , families with lower socioeconomic status , and families in groups have less opportunity to accrue wealth in the United States and have fewer opportunities . In addition , they are less likely to have in terms of what is considered worthy to appear in curated exhibits behind museum doors . One way to measure equity in art is to examine the ability to view curated art . Access to art in childhood is especially important because activating the developing child and adolescent brain impacts eventual life comes . In 2011 , a unique opportunity presented itself to study how child access to art affected adult outcomes . Alice Walton , a heir , founded the Bridges Museum of American Art , a space with an 800 million dollar endowment , in , Arkansas , Most children in this area had little or no exposure to art or other cultural experiences . Class visits were provided for free via the gift of a donor , demand was high , and not all groups who desired the visits could be accommodated , Scholars from the University of Arkansas set up a lottery system to mine which school groups would visit the museum . During the following months all students ( those who

198 . AND EQUITY and those who did not ) were offered free tickets to visit the museum with their families , and were also administered a survey . Nearly students and 500 teachers participated in this Fig . 814 . Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art both images from Commons . Students who visited the museum with their classmates demonstrated stronger critical thinking skills , displayed higher levels of social tolerance , exhibited greater historical empathy and developed a taste for art museums and cultural In addition , students who had visited the Museum with their class groups were teen percent more likely to use the coupon to visit the Museum with their families ! Importantly , this effect was stronger for minority students , rural students , and students than it was for White , suburban students . While there are additional questions to be answered , this study demonstrates the of exposure and access to art and cultural experiences for all children and indicates that arts education inclusion in school curricula will help students develop critical thinking , along with understanding of diverse ideas and experiences , as well as empathy with those who are different from themselves . Licenses and 10 . Green , 2013 , September 16 ) The educational value of trips . Education Next , 14 ( 11 . Green , 2013 , November 23 ) Art makes you smart . The New York Times .

. EXPRESSION . AND 199 Open Content , Shared Previously Figure . Photo of street art in Colombia . in ure . Water lily pond by Claude Monet . Public domain . in ure . Ourfamily watercolor by . Licensed BY . in ure . Family Festival Once a Time by The Walters Art Museum . License 20 ' in ure . Mother Child by . License . in ure . Stone Age Animal Carving , Cave , 28000 by Gary Todd ( er ) in ure juxtaposition of two images of the Virgin Mary de and del by Raphael . Public domain . in ure . Mural portrait of George Floyd by Eme Street Art in ( Berlin , Germany ) photographer ) Photo by fuel . License license . The Experience Art Studio at the Crystal Bridges Museum ofAmerican Art in Arkansas ( United States by Michael . License . Crystal Bridges of American Art Arkansas USA architect photo of one of bridge pavilions by . All Rights Reserved Content Figure . Rend and Mend ( Andrew Douglas Campbell . All rights reserved . Used with mission . Figure . hold ( Andrew Douglas Campbell . All rights reserved . Used with . Figure . and then what will happen bent to what could happen ( Andrew Douglas Campbell . All rights reserved . Used with permission .

200 ART AND CULTURE ART AND DOMINANT CULTURE Elizabeth Pearce Jessica Hampton Hannah and Katie Art has been a part of history and daily lives for centuries , but what is considered artistic and valuable as by worth has been shaped by the same preferences and oppression that shape other aspects of our daily life . Many individuals face discrimination and underrepresentation based on their gender , race , or other social characteristics . Even in the century , we see the perceived differences between men and women art in the way that artists are often described in the media . Why is a woman referred to as a female artist ?

A person of color as a Black photographer ?

Or a sculptor ?

In contrast , when created by a White man , race and gender are not usually mentioned . The topic of whiteness as the dominant culture can be an uncomfortable topic for many , while seeming quite obvious to others . Dominant culture expresses itself in the United States as the typical or regular way of being . Sometimes White people express that they don actually have a culture . This is part of the ness experience . When we describe this experience , it includes the power given to a particular group of people , and oppression to another group of people , otherwise known as White privilege . art can be described as giving privilege to a group of people based on their social characteristics and perpetuating a system that favors ( mostly White people ) When we talk about whiteness in art , it allows us the opportunity to peel back a layer of denial . Western expansion and dominance of Indigenous communities is one reason that there is a preference for White and westernized art and institutions . It is interesting to note that implicit bias , the attitudes and stereotypes that affect our actions that we aren aware of , can affect how and what we feel and think about the word art when we hear What do you think of when you think of art ?

An example of implicit bias would be when an individual from Western culture is asked about art , it is a relatively common bias to think about art in the context of social characteristics . For example , social characteristics such as being male or being White are in Western culture , especially in the United States . The David statue , created by one of the most famous and revered artists of the century , Michelangelo of Florence , Italy , is commonly recognized and is one of the most famous sculptures in the world . The David sculpture is created by individuals ing dominant social characteristics have made the arts , by association , a practice that is dominantly White and male . We learn early on as children in the through our experience with social institutions . The Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity ( 2015 ) Understanding implicit bias . Retrieved February 18 , 2020 , from

CULTURE 201 Social institutions are complex systems that both their members and which can be by individuals as well . For example , schools and museums are both examples of institutions in which children and families participate . They are exposed to art that is , for the most part , White and through the selection process that has occurred throughout history . Increasing awareness of these biases has led to and mentorship of individuals in underrepresented groups related to gender , ethnicity , race , ity , ability and other social characteristics . Individuals and allies contribute to institutions by advocating for change . Examples within this chapter show both the biases and the ways in which artistic expression helps us move beyond socially constructed bias , preference , and ideas this expands our of art and beauty . Art , Race , Ethnicity , and Culture Ken is a North American artist well known for his paintings that reexamine the past . He frames his work by noting that these past experiences the present . describes his use of visual art to examine the experience of Indigenous people in North America , both during the period of and the effects on the present day families . His paintings depict the violence that European settlers acted upon Indigenous people , and the cultural beliefs that have been silenced . He creates works of art that tell the story from the perspective of those who were harmed and emphasizes the heroism of Indigenous families , the aspect of gender they expressed , and other cultural aspects . In the video below , describes his use of visual art to examine the experience of Indigenous people in North America , both during the period of colonization and the continued effects on the present day ies . One or more interactive elements has been excluded from this version of the text You can View them online here families ?

Wiley is another artist known for using his work to expose hypocrisies in the framing of European history , such as the Age of Reason , or Enlightenment period , which is known for its progress in liberty , separation of church and state , and freedom . This same time period is known for the colonialism of many Indigenous people and people of color , including Napoleon Bonaparte himself who slavery in the French colonies a year after the famous David painting Bonaparte Crossing was painted .

202 ART AND CULTURE Fig . Two paintings of Napoleon Leading the Army Over the Alps . Artist Wiley ( left ) and David ( right ) Wiley of this painting , Napoleon Leading the Army Over the Alps , pictures a young Black man in the same pose , but in a way that questions the heroism and softens the military masculinity portrayed in the original . He confronts and critiques the portrayal of Black people in art . The paintings hang in the Brooklyn Museum , through May , 2020 . Art . Sex . and Gender Art , of society , has been work dominated by men . Men work was more likely to be sponsored , commissioned , featured , publicized and preserved . Women artists have often been seen as secondary . The known artist Frida was a Mexican painter who was inspired by artifacts of her culture and used a folk art style . She explored themes of identity , class , race , and gender . A prime example of taking place in Frida lifetime happened when she lived in Detroit , married to a male artist named Diego Rivera . In Detroit , Frida never showed her portraits in any exhibitions however , she did get the opportunity to be interviewed . Although she was praised for her work through this opportunity , when the article came out it was titled Wife of the Master Mural Painter Gleefully Dabbles in Works of Art .

CULTURE 203 Fig . 816 . by Frida ( left ) and Poster by ( right ) Through this lens , Frida was publicly known to her peers and the world as Diego Rivera wife and not as an artist . But work surpassed Rivera in terms of artistic and social recognition . died in 1954 at age 47 , and her work became best known between the 19705 and 19905 . She is regarded as an icon of the civil rights movement , feminism , and the community . Many paintings considered classic representations of ancient myths and events were painted by men . men , a 2019 graduate of Oregon State University Bachelor of Fine Arts program , has recreated some works from a female , feminist , and lesbian perspective . For example , she has reinterpreted Francois Boucher 1741 painting , Leda and the Swan , which tells the story of the seduction or rape of Leda by Zeus in the form of a swan . Fig . Painting Leda and the Swan , Francois Boucher ( left ) Carmen ( right ) I wanted to reinterpret that as a feminist , as a woman and as a contemporary painter , said in

204 ART AND CULTURE an interview with the . In the original ( the women ) were smiling , which is interesting for a male painter because it the story of sexual violence it not a happy version shows a dark , stormy background , and the women facial expressions and body language suggest more fear and resistance than does the original . Centuries ago , genders were oppressed and underrepresented in their creative aspects . We can acknowledge that although there has been an improvement , there are still groups , genders , and individuals who face representation , discrimination , and oppression . New York is known as the hub of art and yet it is estimated that 76 to 96 of the art showcased in art galleries is by male artists . We can see that to this day there is a der gap in the art industry that continues in the century . Film Film , another visual medium , is a part of many family daily lives . Mainstream movies are accessible to via many formats . Although women and people of color are represented in audiences in greater ages than their population base , they are vastly underrepresented in lead roles both on and off screen . In 2018 , only one female , Greta , and one person of color , Jordan Peele , were nominated for Best Director in the Oscars competition . And in an analysis of speaking roles for women in the 900 most popular from 2007 to 2016 , fewer than one third of the roles went to women . Representation is worse for people and when of color and gender are When a child goes into the movies , they are exposed to a variety of people . What most of these actors and actresses have in common is that they are White . As of 2017 , only 20 of all lead actors and actresses on screen were people of To the children watching these movies , this is the majority demographic being . When they do see a prominent character that looks like them , it shows them that they can into roles . When movies such as Home , Blade Panther , or Crazy Rick came out , people of color to see them . These movies lack obvious stereotypes , and people of color play leading roles . Movies with successful people of color are important because , without them , they are pushed to the back of the mind and this forces the dominant culture of White as the norm . When people of color are featured , parents have the chance to bring their children to see a main character with the same skin color or hair type as their own . Tip , in Home , is a young African American girl with natural hair that helps save the day and gets her mom back home . Having a strong young child of color is important . In one study , researchers found that when . Tan , 2018 , February 28 ) This year Oscar nominees are more diverse , but has Hollywood really changed ?

Washington Post . 2020 , February 17 ) Ethnicity actors in movies in the 2019 . Retrieved February 28 , 2020 , from ART AND DOMINANT CULTURE 205 preschoolers were asked to draw a main character from a fairy tale , most of the students drew a with blonde hair and light skin . This implies that these children , even the children of color , saw that White skin meant a happy In their minds , only blonde people with white skin were allowed to save the day and be stars . Figure . in The Help Figure in The . Representation in movies also pertains to how the characters are portrayed . Do they follow common , times derogatory , stereotypes ?

Are they seen as the villain ?

Are they the first to be killed ?

While a film may have a more diverse cast , when people of color are being represented through stereotypes or type casting ( when a person is repeatedly cast for the same type of character , usually based on looks ) it sheds a negative light on those people . In March , 2020 , the Post magazine featured a project in which actors of groups were asked what kind of roles they typically were cast in , and what kind of roles they would like to This powerful series emphasizes how easily stereotypes can be embedded in our minds . You can see Haruka San Martin full photography series at the Typecast Project . people contributes to the reinforcement of stereotypes of people of color and other groups it emphasizes the centrality of White people both as the norm and as the keepers of interesting plot lines and life stories . Hurley , 2005 ) Seeing white Children of color and the Disney fairy tale princess . of Negro Education , 74 ( San Martin , 2020 , March ) How Hollywood sees me and how I want to be seen . Washington Post Magazine .

206 I ART AND DOMINANT CULTURE Representation of of Color How are people of color represented in visual mediums ?

And which people of color are prominent ?

Notice that when leading roles are cast in visual mediums , they are often people of skin . This is called and is distinct from racism in that it shows a preference for the visual look , as opposed to ing that there is inferiority based on A recent example is the prominence of Jennifer Lopez ( and Shakira in the 2020 show . While both women are Latina , many people of color do not feel represented by people who have dyed their hair blonde . Understanding Another way that can help us to understand the world is to view how an ism affects a group that we are not a part of , such as understanding how women experience sexism , or Black people experience racism . But how do we identify which movies can help us understand what the actual experience is for the individual , and what feel like ?

One of the best ways is to listen to a member of the group that experiences it . casts such as the Movie Club program The Help Doesn Help in une , 2020 , can help to explain how stories about racism fail to expose the actual experience of discrimination and to teach and deeply . refers to stories which are told primarily from the White person , with a lead or leads who are White , and sometimes feature what is called the White saviour meaning that it takes someone who is White to solve the problem , save the day , or otherwise some aspect of racism . Instead , the podcast hosts and guests recommend the following movies , amongst others 13 ( 2016 ) 2018 ) Get Out ( 2017 ) Am Not Negro ( 2016 ) I ( 2019 ) See ( 2019 ) Farrow , 2019 , January 10 ) How the camera sees color . National Museum American History Culture . Retrieved March , 2020 , from

ART AND DOMINANT CULTURE I 207 . Fig . The table with actors Adam Driver , John David Washington and director Spike in a relaxed moment during a commercial break in the live broadcast of the annual Critics Choice Awards in January , 2019 To listen to the Movie Club lively discussion and debate about movies , Rotten Tomatoes and other movie rating systems , racism , health care , the racial empathy gap , history and current events , listen here . Employment While our discussion has focused on representation and on the effects that lack of representation has on , it is important to mention employment . An obvious outcome of fewer people of color or other groups in media means people in these groups have fewer employment opportunities . A person who has multiple intersectional characteristics has even fewer options . In this video , actor Rosie Perez talks about how the of being a woman of color , weight , hotness , ethnicity , and age affects her employment . Because movies so many consumers , the effects on Perez also indirectly affect the and families who view media . Perez takes a blunt approach in her description of social characteristics , especially related to age and to body size . She is conveying the message that while what is deemed less desirable by society may be acceptable for white males , it is less acceptable to have these traits as a woman of color . Her language may be triggering to some

208 ART AND CULTURE readers . The second video , from the group and YouTube channel Film Courage contains similar descriptions from actors and actresses of color . One or more interactive elements has been excluded from this version of the text . You can View them online here ?

One or more interactive elements has been excluded from this version of the text . You can View them online here ?

These descriptions by Rosie Perez and other actors are supported by research . Family made between 2006 and 2009 in the United States and Canada were studied for gender bias , but also included and age in the assessment . Beautiful women , with unrealistic body types , exposed skin , and waists so tiny that they would leave little room for a womb or any other internal organs are Featured in these with possessing these features . In addition , it is most common For women to be under the age of 39 years ( about 74 ) with a higher percentage of men over the age Licenses and Open Content , Shared Previously Figure . Napoleon Crossing the Alps by David . Public domain . Figure . Frida by . License . Smith , Gender disparity on Screen and behind the camera in family . Davis tute on Gender in Media . 2020 , from

ART AND CULTURE I 209 Figure . Leda and the Swan by Francois Boucher . Public domain . Figure . Adam Driver ohn David Washington and Director Spike Lee at the 2019 Critics Choice Awards by Chris . License . All Rights Reserved Content Figure . Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps ( Wiley . Image used under fair use . Figure . Coconuts by Frida ( Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Trust . Image used use . Figure . Leda and the Swan ( Carmen . Image used under fair use . Figure . Screenshot from The Help ( Walt Disney Studios . Image used under fair use . Figure . Poster from the Green Book ( Universal Studios . Image used use . Shame and Artist Kent man story of resilience ( University of . License Terms Standard Youtube license . Rosie Perez on Roles for Women of Color ( License Terms Standard YouTube license .

210 WHAT IS BEAUTY ?

WHAT IS BEAUTY ?

Elizabeth Pearce Although the famous saying Beauty is in the eye of the beholder originated in the and was revived in its current form by Margaret Wolfe in 1878 , it can also be said that society , and the media in particular , create and reinforce stereotypical ideas of beauty . Beauty is a social construct . It is based on societally agreed upon ideas that have been ingrained into our systems and our psyches over time and have been accepted as the norm . These ideas of beauty slowly become embedded into our minds on a micro level , and affect the way we operate . There is a relationship with societal forces including media , marketing , businesses , government , and other institutions . These forces youth , affecting appearance , cosmetics , behavior , and clothing . The media , of which 90 is trolled by four media conglomerates who are owned by predominantly White and wealthy males , are for creating and reinforcing preferences and biases which reinforce the dominant culture idea of beauty . Western society has particular aspects of physical appearance as being beautiful , or desirable . ple with these characteristics are favored and featured . This is known as the halo effect , in which additional favorable characteristics are associated with One example of this effect applies to academia . While it is acknowledged that the face physical appearance may indicate important characteristics such as physical health , it has also been found that it is used inaccurately to predict a person academic performance . Using the faces of university students , researchers learned that subjects inaccurately attributed competence and intelligence to more attractive This can have long term implications for success in education , as other research has found that teachers expectations of learners can have a positive or negative effect on their Another example from academia describes how gender , perceived attractiveness , and age intersect to affect how students perception of physical appearance moderate their experience of the actual behavior of faculty . When students rated the perceived qualities of instructors based on appearance in a 2014 study , women age and attractiveness were linked ( older women were judged to be less attractive ) Less attractiveness correlated . Wikipedia . Media conglomerate . Retrieved May 29 , 2020 , from ate . I . 2016 ) Blinded by beauty Attractiveness bias and accurate perceptions of academic performance . ONE , 11 ( 1968 ) Teacher expectations for the disadvantaged . American , 218 (

WHAT 211 with judgments students made about prospective faculty that those less attractive ( and older ) were also less likely to be organized or have rapport with their students , illustrating the halo There have been some insightful analyses of attractiveness and facial symmetry related to pay and job ment in sports . The most relates to Using computer measurements , found that while taking into account career statistics , experience , Pro Bowl appearances , and draft position , one standard deviation of symmetry of facial structure led to an eight percent increase in This holds true for starting quarterbacks in the National Football League ( and even more strongly for up quarterbacks . Beauty can and does change from place to place , from culture to culture , and from person to person . It is demonstrated via society products , patterns , trends , wants and desires . It is biologically , by pheromones and natural physical attractions . This shows us that it is a social construction . The threat to family is when that socially constructed idea is assigned different value or worth , based on physical appearance . Bullying , fewer academic opportunities , and loss of employment can all be linked to the idealized conception of beauty . The halo effect can lead to a prophecy , where those who the social of attractiveness , are perceived as being more valuable members of society , which then may lead to preferential treatment and more life chances , thereby increasing the person likelihood of So what does this mean for us , the readers and writers of this text ?

It means that we need to be aware and pay attention to what we might call our intuition or gut feelings about who is deserving of the of the doubt , or of an extra opportunity . Sometimes those instinctual feelings are masking some preference for attractiveness or an implicit bias . We can teach our children , students , peers , and colleagues the same . By ing this topic discussable , we can work toward achieving equity in education , employment , and experience . Beauty , Art , and Identity The dominant culture is powerful . Finding ways to in is important and sometimes people go to extremes to into what is deemed desirable . For example , in the Crazy Rick , the movie rewards Rachel Chu for mimicking European beauty standards . She is preparing for a big wedding , and has a friend who how they need to get her eyelids taped , which is a popular method for East Asian and Asian Americans to remove their and appear more . In this movie , whiteness is provided as the aesthetic for . Wilson , 2014 ) Professor age affects student ratings Halo effect for younger teachers . College Teaching , 62 ( Berri , 2008 , September 16 ) Do quarterbacks make more money ?

The New York Times . Wikipedia . Physical attractiveness . 2020 , from 212 BEAUTY beauty standards , particularly standards . The continual reinforcement of one kind of beauty creates tension and conflict for families between this ideal , their own culture , and individuality , Fig . Examples of body art . Art and beauty matter , and both culture and idealized beauty standards . Native American men use face paint to identify themselves , align with hopes and dreams , demonstrate their honor , and before battle . Paints came from a variety of natural materials and held related to color and Drag families that form with various familiar family roles use costumes and to express identity , role , and Tattoos and piercings have a long history of affiliation with beauty and expression and have only grown in recent decades in importance related to identity . And yet there are questions and related to employment when one has tattoos bias against those with tattoos is a worry . The complexity of how each person and family member sees oneself , by the societal norms that favor certain , continues to affect functionality of both families and society , Diversity in culture can inspire people to express and reinforce their own identities whether or not they are in the dominant group . Miranda , the creator of the wildly popular Broadway musical and , Hamilton An American , talks about his love of theater as an adolescent , but the limited view he had of his own expressive abilities until he saw Rent , the 19 rock musical with music , lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson . Hamilton premiered in 2015 and has won both critical and popular acclaim , including tiple Drama Desk and Tony awards , selling out performances on Broadway , and after three national tours , was ended only by the pandemic in 2020 . In an interview with Terry Gross on ' in June 2020 , Miranda said , Really , the only thing I saw that really gave me permission to write musicals was Rent , which was an . 2011 , 21 ) Face painting traditions meanings . National Center for Transgender Equality . 2017 , April 28 ) Understanding drag .

) 213 incredibly diverse cast . And I went from being a fan of musicals to writing musicals when I saw that show because it was the thing that gave me permission it was contemporary , and it had Latino actors and Black actors . And it told me you re allowed to write what you know into a show . No other musical had told me that So it was truly the contemporary musical I seen and and , I think , got me from being a kid who was in school musicals and loved them but just thought they were written by other people , like , by , like , old White people on the Upper East Side , to giving me permission . And it been gratifying to see how these shows , and Hamilton in particular , like , not only provide employment but also provide , like , permission and of a lot of other Miranda statement demonstrates explicitly the importance of diverse voices being created , produced , and publicized . Identity and art are intertwined and individuals and families in their development , ture , and daily lives . Conclusion Visual culture family , in both the public function of and private function of emotional bonds we share with one another . Equity in access to and representation of visual culture will foster the ability of every individual and family to meet their potential . Art brings families together and simultaneously displays how we view the family at any point in time . It helps us notice the socially constructed nature of the family , and of our ideas of beauty . It can be a tool that is used for expression and to foster change . Visual depict ideas that we may not be able to put into words . After all , we are humanly wired to do this to understand , categorize , to express , and to make sense of meaning . Visual Culture creates the avenue for both our own creativity and for us to better understand the world . Miranda , 2020 , une 29 ) creator Miranda . Gross , Interviewer ) podcast .

214 WHAT IS BEAUTY ?

Fig . The Learning Child by Gilbert Licenses and Open Content , Shared Previously BEAUTY ?

215 Figure . native american dancer by . License 20 . several piercings by Sara Marx . License BY 20 . celtic Cross by . License . Ea by . Licensed Figure . he Learning Child by Gilbert . License