Here it is, ya'll, the fruits of my labor. I handed in my final copy of the SuicideGirls Ethnography. I'm gonna post it here, bit by bit, for the sake of suspense.
Here's the Intro:
Pornographys discourse has rarely stepped into the realm of those women participating in the industry of their own volition, as well as for their personal sexual expression and fulfillment. Of particular interest within this industry, playing upon these concepts is the alterna-porn internet website, SuicideGirls. Alterna-porn refers to pornography that features male and female models largely absent from traditional, mainstream pornography (Altporn, 2005, 1). As with most pornography of this sort, the models on SuicideGirls are largely made up of those girls with body modifications, such as tattoos, piercings, or unnatural hair colors. The website heralds the concepts of creativity, personality and intelligence (Suicide, 2005, 1) in its models, as well as feminist overtones, and a strong stance against their exploitation. Co-founder Missy Suicide would even go so far as to entirely shed the concept of the photos being referred to as pornography, saying we have never considered SuicideGirls to feature anything but beautiful and interesting women in sensual pin-up style poses (Suicide, 2005, 14).
Socrates tells us that to come to sound conclusions every discourse must begin by defining the topic (Plato, 1973, p. 36), which, in turn, declares the ambiguity surrounding the definition of pornography. The aforementioned has its root in Greek terminology as picture of a whore, and The Oxford English Dictionary asserts this definition, calling it the description of life, manners, etc. of prostitutes and their patrons (Bradley, Craigie, Murray, & Onions, 1989, p. 163). Taking it further, the term whore refers to a prostitute (Bradley et al., 1989, p. 301).
Erotic Art similarly has its root in Greek, referencing Eros, the Greek god of sexual love. To borrow from the words of Socrates again, he asserted that sexual love, or Eros, was the vehicle by which mankind may get to the good (Plato, 1973).The Dictionary of Art elaborates further, calling it art with a sexual content, and especially art that celebrates human sexuality (Turner, 1996, p. 472).
In essence, this study was created to peer behind the veil which distorts the concept of the SuicideGirls in the eyes of the population. Questions of the morality and decency of these girls have circulated in the form of rumors and slander directed at those participating in this internet-based purveyor of sexually explicit materials, particularly the models, as they are the mastheads of the company. This particular group referenced is a motley crew of women embodying twisted ideals of the mainstream social constructs of beauty, femininity, and expression.
Freedom of expression, as protected by the U.S. Constitution, and artistic representation are the pillars of the SuicideGirls. Legally defined as pornography, and obscene, the website has come under political scrutiny and fallen victim to censorship laws. The premises upon which these laws are based are both flawed and inadequate in number. They are premises that the following study has managed to refute. The SuicideGirls are willing participants with intelligence, creativity, and a distinct personality they are encouraged to display on the website. They are not morally devoid individuals with taboo sexual proclivities; they are empowered women wishing to display their unique individuality and empower their sexuality in an artistic medium within a society that greatly under represents their beauty and identity.
It must be said that in doing this research I felt I could identify a great deal with the models. Inspired by this work, I have developed a respect and appreciation for them and their expression. The physical data may speak for itself, yet I must maintain this assertion, as I took into consideration modeling for the website, though I have chosen not to do so at the request of my significant other. May these findings help to alter those misconceptions which inevitably lead to the negative connotations associated with this material.
Oh, and there is so much more to come, stay tuned.
LOL
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
~the munky saiz DESTRY~
Here's the Intro:
Pornographys discourse has rarely stepped into the realm of those women participating in the industry of their own volition, as well as for their personal sexual expression and fulfillment. Of particular interest within this industry, playing upon these concepts is the alterna-porn internet website, SuicideGirls. Alterna-porn refers to pornography that features male and female models largely absent from traditional, mainstream pornography (Altporn, 2005, 1). As with most pornography of this sort, the models on SuicideGirls are largely made up of those girls with body modifications, such as tattoos, piercings, or unnatural hair colors. The website heralds the concepts of creativity, personality and intelligence (Suicide, 2005, 1) in its models, as well as feminist overtones, and a strong stance against their exploitation. Co-founder Missy Suicide would even go so far as to entirely shed the concept of the photos being referred to as pornography, saying we have never considered SuicideGirls to feature anything but beautiful and interesting women in sensual pin-up style poses (Suicide, 2005, 14).
Socrates tells us that to come to sound conclusions every discourse must begin by defining the topic (Plato, 1973, p. 36), which, in turn, declares the ambiguity surrounding the definition of pornography. The aforementioned has its root in Greek terminology as picture of a whore, and The Oxford English Dictionary asserts this definition, calling it the description of life, manners, etc. of prostitutes and their patrons (Bradley, Craigie, Murray, & Onions, 1989, p. 163). Taking it further, the term whore refers to a prostitute (Bradley et al., 1989, p. 301).
Erotic Art similarly has its root in Greek, referencing Eros, the Greek god of sexual love. To borrow from the words of Socrates again, he asserted that sexual love, or Eros, was the vehicle by which mankind may get to the good (Plato, 1973).The Dictionary of Art elaborates further, calling it art with a sexual content, and especially art that celebrates human sexuality (Turner, 1996, p. 472).
In essence, this study was created to peer behind the veil which distorts the concept of the SuicideGirls in the eyes of the population. Questions of the morality and decency of these girls have circulated in the form of rumors and slander directed at those participating in this internet-based purveyor of sexually explicit materials, particularly the models, as they are the mastheads of the company. This particular group referenced is a motley crew of women embodying twisted ideals of the mainstream social constructs of beauty, femininity, and expression.
Freedom of expression, as protected by the U.S. Constitution, and artistic representation are the pillars of the SuicideGirls. Legally defined as pornography, and obscene, the website has come under political scrutiny and fallen victim to censorship laws. The premises upon which these laws are based are both flawed and inadequate in number. They are premises that the following study has managed to refute. The SuicideGirls are willing participants with intelligence, creativity, and a distinct personality they are encouraged to display on the website. They are not morally devoid individuals with taboo sexual proclivities; they are empowered women wishing to display their unique individuality and empower their sexuality in an artistic medium within a society that greatly under represents their beauty and identity.
It must be said that in doing this research I felt I could identify a great deal with the models. Inspired by this work, I have developed a respect and appreciation for them and their expression. The physical data may speak for itself, yet I must maintain this assertion, as I took into consideration modeling for the website, though I have chosen not to do so at the request of my significant other. May these findings help to alter those misconceptions which inevitably lead to the negative connotations associated with this material.
Oh, and there is so much more to come, stay tuned.
LOL
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
~the munky saiz DESTRY~