[...] out ad campaign for the bash back 2010 convergence, and bashback call for workshops. You know its going to be [...]
[...] Someone by the name of Louis Vuitton Night from the radical queer activist group Bash Back emailed us to let us know their group’s 2010 Convergence is going to be held in Denver May 27-30th. You’ll remember a few months ago I posted about a Details Magazine feature story on the group. Louis Vuitton Night’s email also pointed us towards a promotional photo shoot for the event. Here are two images from that shoot, the rest have some nudity and can seen in all their glory here. [...]
[...] out some of the ad campaign photo’s over at the Boulevardier HERE, as always great work by a fine queer artist and sexy. Honey you know we love you over here at [...]
I hate to be this guy, but why are you advertising with such a typical skinny pretty gayboy? Don’t we have to cope with this ideal enough from corporate ad campaigns? This turns me off. It makes me feel the same way an advertisement for American apparel makes me feel: like somebody doesn’t get it.
I see your point, but these pictures were derived from the people that happened to be present at the photoshoot as an exploration of their sexual identity within a radical context. While it is true that the pretty gayboy’s body is skinny and something that we are seeing a little of more often, the exploration of radical sexwork, and portraying sex work in a natural and non-stigmatized way is almost never seen, which is why that picture is nothing like what you would see in “corporate ad campaign”.
As well, the feminist in me is completely comfortable objectifying men and male bodies as a tactic to disrupt the privileged spectator position that all men have in our society. Therefore, as this is an ongoing ad campaign and you will be seeing a greater variety of body sizes and gender expressions to come, in terms of cisgendered men, you will most likely be seeing more skinny pretty boys…
Well, being that I am that “skinny pretty gayboy” in the picture, I want you to know, I get it. But does that mean that I should not have photos taken of me, nude or otherwise?
This is my body, and I fucking love it. And just because I have a certain body type, doesn’t mean that I hold others to any sort of standard. I enjoy all body types. Including but not limited to, shape, size, color, etc.
I hope that clears some stuff up for you, Aaron.
“the feminist in me is completely comfortable objectifying men and male bodies as a tactic to disrupt the privileged spectator position that all men have in our society.”
Awesome quote.
One doesn’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot, but it can be an instructive experience nonetheless.
i fucking love these photos. i had a similar “aw man why all the skinny pretty light skinned kids?” but also a similar “gawd that is fucking hot and i love it.” the only solution? MORE! more bodies more nekkid more rad more sexy. pretty please?
advertising for an event that is promoted as being inclusive with images that are anything but….and then using the “that’s who showed up” excuse both speaks to the underlying problem. If we can not even realize the privilege, entitlement and ism in our images how can we ever be a part in creating change. You can’t change your privilege but at least start to admit it.
sarita, this ad campaign is informed by andalzúa’s notion of of identities that transcend borders and dichotomies, and because of that, each of the models in the shoot inhabit that borderland space between either gender, size and/or race, to name a few. They are all real people, with real feelings and it takes a lot of courage to put your vulnerabilities out there in such a public context. In Israel’s case, he occupies a space between Japanese and white cultures, butch and femme, aggression and passivity and the liminality that is sex work. This ad campaign could certainly be expanded as there are infinite identities to explore, but as it stands, I think it definitely accomplishes the goal of radical inclusivity. Maybe you could clarify your complaints a little?