Representing Gender Fluidity in Photographic Art, Article Review Example

The purpose of photography has always been to capture the essence of the individuals in the photo. At the beginning of the photography trend, the main aim was to produce pictures of people that would be able to transcend time (Baylis 2009). Thus, their relatives would know what their appearances were like. However, during these early photographs, gender was emphasized. It was expected that women would appear in culturally relevant dress and men would be adorned in their gender counterpart. Even babies and young children that appeared in these pictures were provided with some symbol of their gender, even if this was not discernable based on their immediate appearance. As photography has become more prevalent over the past two centuries, there has been a need to capture more than just image. Now, photography is used to capture ideas, art, and identities.

Modern photography has been used to bring gender statements to light. Whether created in print or electronic form, individuals are able to make statements about sexuality or lack thereof by posting photos of themselves or others. In an examination of gender fluidity, one researcher examined pictures on Flickr to determine perception of gender or whether such a definition of gender truly exists (Carbery 2011). The purpose of this analysis was to demonstrate that gender identity is an ambiguous concept; we cannot simply classify individuals as male or female. The author determined that traits that are typically held as female can be exemplified by men, regardless of their gender identity. Furthermore, many individuals that presented as female exemplified male characteristics and style choices. The author also presents a discussion of gender variant visual arts to demonstrate that beauty can be found within gender fluidity. An individual’s identity or lack thereof is independent of other characteristics that personify them as an individual.” As Berger and Luckmann suggest, “reality is socially constructed and the sociology of knowledge must analyze the processes in which this occurs” (Berger and Luckmann cited in Habermas, 1985, p.139). Thus, while photographers attempt to capture the reality of their images, this definition of reality can differ based on the individual conducting this work in addition to the interpretations of viewers.

It is important to consider the value of psychological understandings when analyzing gender fluidity in photography. Historically, the definition of a man is one that is born with a penis and the definition of woman is one born with a vagina. However, even biologically, these definitions are problematic because there are medical cases in which individuals that are born with both or neither genitalia. In this sense, these individuals can be classified as having both or neither genders, which confuses the typical definitions provided. When scientists discovered chromosomes, they found that individuals born with vaginas typically have two X chromosomes, while those typically born with vaginas have one X and one Y chromosome (Velissariou et al. 2009). However, even within this biological definition of gender, there is variance. Some females can be born with three X chromosomes, while individuals that present as males can live with two X and one Y chromosomes. Some individuals that appear to be women can also be born with only one X chromosome. Thus, it is challenging to understand the connection between physiology, genetics, and gender identify in scientific terms.

Because we cannot rely on biology for defining gender, many prefer to provide a psychological definition to the state of male and female. Thus, even those born as men can feel that they are women and those born as women can feel that they are men. However, many people are confused with the concept of gender fluidity because we are accustomed to assigning things that have names with extremes (Davis 2009). Therefore, many individuals assume that men that feel like women act and dress like women. This is not correct; each individual expresses their gender identity differently, contributing to the strong sense of gender fluidity that there are degrees present due to the complex interaction between biology and psychology. We are an extension of our genetics, and while our thoughts are influenced by these genetics, we have the liberty to choose who we are and express how we feel.

Many theorists have attempted to determine how we perceive ourselves and how our brains work to contribute to feelings and actions. The father of psychology, Sigmund Freud, is the best example of using an understanding of human thought and upbringing to demonstrate the expression of gender fluidity. Freud used his understanding of the Oedipus complex to define gender (Schur 1972). However, in this understanding, he took on a more traditional definition of gender that may have impaired his ability to effectively describe decisions based on gender. In essence, he demonstrated that women were likely to be jealous of their mothers and vie for their father’s attention during early stages of life, while men were likely at odds with their father to compete for their mother’s attention. Freud claimed that development would be impacted by the individual’s ability or inability to cope with this crisis. However, a modern understanding can be applied to this Oedipal complex. We cannot say that all children react to their mother and father in the same way. From birth, it is possible for the male child to instead prefer the attention of his father figure, or it is possible for the female child to prefer the attention of the mother figure. Furthermore, children could strike a balance between the want for attention from both parents, or prefer to be independent altogether. If we compare the child’s parental preference to their sexual orientation, we therefore have a broader understanding of human biology and choice. To an extent, parental preference is a biological phenomenon because young babies rely primarily on instinct during the first stages their life. However, this sense of instinct has the potential to direct future decisions throughout the lives of these individuals, drawing a possible connection to decisions regarding sexuality and gender identity.

Many individuals draw a sense of separate understanding between gender fluidity, identity, and the concept of feminism. However, it is important to consider that gender identity transcends concepts such as feminism, and it is possible for individuals of any gender to identify with the feminist movement. According to Edith Cowen, “I saw these performances as empowering, a total dismantling of all that made these men masculine, through the confident donning of an outrageous parody of a female alter-ego in pancake make-up, wig and heels. It was only later when I befriended some of these drag queens that I started to learn about the concept of Trans-sexuality and Trans-gender and the associated politesse. I was taught that a drag queen is a man performing a parody of femininity for entertainment purposes, whereas male to female Transsexuals were women who were born anatomically male”. Thus, the classic definition of binary gender no longer exists. Instead, we recognize that gender is a social construct that is directed by our internal feelings and interpretations. In this sense, gender differs significantly from biological gender, in which the purpose of our gender is to direct our involvement in reproductive processes. Interestingly, Judith Butler’s work contrasts this sense of gender identity, stating that people must ultimately identify as male or female. “It appears that research surrounding gender identity predominantly focuses on the traditional binaries of male and female, even whilst exploring trans-sexuality. Researchers discuss the subversion of gender roles within Transgender individuals by suggesting that the individual must eventually identify as either male or female.” Thus, gender fluidity pertains to the concept that an individual born male can identify as a female and vice versa.

The binary gender system broadly classifies individuals into groups as men or women, and it is typically held that only women could be considered feminists. However, this thought contradicts the purpose of feminism, which is a concept and not a sexuality. Feminism states that women should have equal opportunities as men. When considering that the definition of woman is broad in a more in depth understanding of gender, this means that individuals that partially identify as women and those who do not identify as women can take place in this movement (Peterson et al. 2013). The feminine state, and perhaps increased talk concerning gender identity in general has arisen out of need for continued conversations about what gender is, how it should be expressed, and how individuals should be treated as a consequence of it. While all individuals push for equality, these goals are somehow undermined on the basis of gender, whether biological or psychological.

The gender fluidity photography movement is a direct response to the need for change in society. Many of the photographs published are as amateur photography, indicating the broad support for this movement. In this manner, it is possible for each individual to express their voice and to be heard by the public. On a more extreme level, many professional photographers have become an integral part of this movement, demonstrating gender fluidity in art galleries across the world. It is important for individuals to be exposed to this concept because doing so has the potential to ignite social change. By altering our viewpoint concerning our perception of gender, we can reasonably help facilitate societal change that will allow the population to have a greater understanding of the meaning of gender and how this unfair definition influences the lives of many. Based on a biological and psychological perspective, the binary definition of gender does not exist and continues to pose a danger to the well-being of individuals that reject this convention. Photography is a direct response to the need for expression, and gender fluid photography will continue to be an essential component of allowing for real change to take place in society. Increasing understanding through art is a value that is beneficial to society, independent of gender association.

Bibliography

Baylis G 2009, ‘Gender in the frame: photography and the performance of the nation narrative in early twentieth-century Ireland’, Irish Studies Review, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 184-206.

Carbery R 2011, ‘Queer Genders: Problematising Gender through Contemporary Photography’, Durham University, Available from: <http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/3190/>. [11 November 2015].

Davis E 2009, ‘Situating “Fluidity”’, GLQ, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 97-130.

Peterson, Tim Trace; Tolbert, T. C. (2013), Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics, Callicoon: Nightboat Books.

Schur M 1972, Freud: Living and Dying, New York: International Universities Press.

Velissariou V, Christopoulou S, Karadimas C, Pihos I, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Kapranos N, Kallipolitis G, Hatzaki A (2006), ‘Rare XXY/XX mosaicism in a phenotypic male with Klinefelter syndrome: case report’, Eur J Med Genet, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 331–337.