I’ve decided to go out into the ‘real’ world to observe femininity in the everyday. An old drama teacher of mine used to greatly encourage me to sit on pavement cafes and people watch. It’s the best ‘discreet’ way to view mannerisms and behaviours. It’s fascinating to see how people carry themselves, especially if they are by themselves and without today’s obligatory ipod.
I also took a reconnaissance mission to window shop (like I need an excuse!), I needed to take an objective look at fashion and beauty in terms of masquerade and concealment to further my understanding of today’s take on the feminine.
One place I loved was a party shop. Every conceivable clichéd caricature was in there. Policemen, Playboy bunnies, cowboys, nuns, Indians to hen party paraphernalia. I spent ages looking at the facemasks and even bought a couple! I liked the thought of people going to social gatherings but putting on a ‘masquerade’ of them as another being. The ‘hidden self’.
I also took some photographs of handguns at the local police station. The two handguns (and air rifle which I didn’t need) had been seized in a raid of some sort and were awaiting destruction. I managed to handle them myself and was amazed at my reaction. First I was extremely cautious but then it dawned on me how I had the power of life and death in my hands. This same gun I was holding could have ended someone’s life for all I knew. I’ve never seen a real live gun before then much less handled one but there is a definite feeling of ‘power’ (for want of a better word) associated with such a masculine item. My immediate thought of whom the previous owner had been was that they were male. My automatic assumption being that a masculine item such as this belonged to a man. I never did find out if it were true or not but it reiterates the nature Vs nurture debate. Personally I think it’s down to nurture or culture.
So future plans….
Carry on with research, take photographs to see what develops.
