Hotel fashion: sexist or art - YouLookFab Forum

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Hotel fashion: sexist or art

bj1111

Veteran

On the walls of a boutique hotel in Bergen. Sexist or art?

Yay=art
Nay-sexist

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22 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Gigi

Veteran

I would say a little bit of both. I think that for those who are emotionally mature and honestly appreciate and respect women, these have artistic merit. But I would expect them to be in an art gallery rather than in a hotel; I am not sure that hotel clientele would appreciate these as art. I would think that the hotel clientele would be more inclined to view these as soft porn. I know that if I were in this hotel, I would feel extremely uncomfortable and like I was being viewed as an object. I don't know that I would feel that way if I saw them in an art gallery.

I look forward to the other responses.

Sal

Veteran

I probably see them as on the sexist side, they have chosen young gorgeous women in an almost nude state, and in a hotel, it is fairly provocative.

I can see there is a fuzzy line at times, and I don't see myself as an expert.

Peri

Veteran

Sexist because there is no point to it. What do nude women have to do with violins or playing the violin? Being nude contributes nothing to an image of music, and the violins contribute nothing to an image of nude women. Have we seen any museum paintings where nudes are paired with violins? Seems more like they are paired just to emphasize the "sexy" shape of both...therefore, sexist. Which makes me wonder...where are the nude men playing trombones?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Boutique Hotel is telling.
Edgy, blah blah blah.
I don't know if Norway has the same level of gender equality as Sweden.
Though the second one seems like something I'd see in Russia.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Agreeing with Anna's - edgy, blah....comment. It's called trying too hard in my opinion.

rachylou

Veteran

Also agree with Anna. Also think it's cheesy art. Also think it's reflective of sexism at large - because let's be honest, no one wants to look at naked men except for ancient Greeks who are dead.

Anonymous

"Cheesy" is indeed the operative word here. Pass the wine.

I think they should've used cats instead. Kind of like the notorious painting of dogs playing poker.

BrieN

Veteran

Cheesy, very sexist and I can't believe they are in a "boutique" hotel. What's the messsge? I'm here for your enjoyment. Yuck.

Diana

Veteran

Cheesy and tacky! And yes, sexist and objectifying, but to be honest I find it hard to get riled up about stuff like this because I'm too busy rolling my eyes.

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, I'm a spanner here because I don't have any problems with the pictures. They actually put a smile on my face because I was amused by the juxtaposition of shapes--a bit of cheeky slyness.

I doubt that most Scandinavians would see the pictures as sexist--or even edgy--since nudity is a pretty common sight on the beaches and in many parks for both genders and for all ages--as I say, a bit of sly fun which is a pretty common type of humor for most Norwegians.

It's interesting, though, to read others' comments and reactions.

Anonymous

The subject matter itself, woman as musical instrument, is trite and without any fresh interpretation so not even close to an art rating from me.
The style is a little obnoxious, airbrushed and polished, and also a missed opportunity to do something unusual with the subject matter.
The nudity is irrelevant to me personally, but the type of eroticism does in fact seem sexist.

Gaylene

Veteran

*laughing*
Isabel--trite, yes, much like my reaction to fruit bowls and pastoral meadow scenes?

These pictures wouldn't be seen on my walls, but, then, that applies to much of what I see in galleries. But, judged on the kind of "art" hanging in most hotels, these pictures just seemed cheeky (bad pun!) instead of offensive. I'm more offended by those "black velvet" paintings of little kids that were so popular a decade ago; now those, to me were creepily suggestive. I'd prefer a an adult nude any day given those standards.

Hey, but isn't it fun to have an art discussion on YLF?

rachylou

Veteran

Ok... So the next question is... Is this better than those watercolor flowers in teal and peach that you often get in hotels?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Gaylene are you talking about these?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126590/

ETA I haven't seen the movie, though I've heard lots of interviews when it was released

rabbit

Veteran

Like Isabel for me it just reads as bad (trite but not ironic) art if intended as contemporary art. I can see it as effective commercial art, though now I've spent ten minutes wondering what product it's selling exactly (classical compilation album of seduction mood music destined for the $0.99 bin? ).

A boutique hotel in our town which reopened recently has a blown up photo of Bridgette Bardot smoking a cigar on one wall. That's iconic in it's own way, but then they have these other random stylized women's faces around that look more like Cosmo covers. I got confused and thought the business center was actually a beauty salon because of them. It's basically a head shot only example of the same thing --- images of 'sexy' women as interior decor. Which is a little off-putting I guess.

Heh Rachy I end up studying those faded prints of floral paintings a lot and wondering about their process of de-evolution from some original 19th century still life as reimagined in the 70s and then churned out in a reproduction factory for the next several decades...

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I don't like it

Marley

Veteran

Hahahaha - Peri - (Men playing trombones!) Love it!

rachylou

Veteran

Ha, rabbit! $.99 bin mood music... That's it!

Ohmigosh, tho, you have to tell what all else you learned about those prints (!!) I find them not in poor taste but a taste blackout. My suspiciousness about 'pretty' may have to do with things like this... I think a lot of times pretty equals invisible and this applies to people too. As in models. I don't know where the notion came from that models are the prettiest of the prettiest because it's the clothes on show and the models are not to get in the way of the clothes.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hmm. By sexist, I assume you mean that it objectifies the women in the images. You may find this article interesting:

http://www.elephantjournal.com.....ectifying/

For the record, I think it's art, but it's tacky art. Kitsch. That kind of thing. I also think it's on the objectifying side, but that doesn't stop it from being art. Fine art has a long history of objectifying women.

(To be clear: art is still art, even when it's sexist).

Actually, I think you're pointing to a couple of bigger questions here: one, what makes an object a work of art, and two, what makes good art? The second is certainly subjective.

Cococat

Veteran

Yes it's art. It's not the type of art I would like to see in a hotel, but it's art nonetheless.

DH has an art colleague who produces similar work. He manipulates photographs such as this and adds paint. His work is quite popular, and not just with men. He also does amazing abstracts but he shows and sells more of his 'female form' work.

bj1111

Veteran

The Challenge: Embrace your Summer bodies just as they are
by wearing outfits that would have as recently as today made you feel self
conscious about your body. Or perhaps did in the past. (So much the better!)

The Goal: To practice self-acceptance and positive body
image, to gain perspective, to encourage other women, to boost confidence, to
enjoy fashion, and to enjoy the weather.

Timeframe: Now until your Summer ends.

It doesn't matter how small or large the insecurity about a
part of your body is because at the end of the day - it's meaningful to you.
And we respect that.

Please post a separate thread for each outfit. I'll start
the ball rolling with these pics. You've read that I am embracing my pale skin
and ample spider veins. The last TWO outfit posts have been dresses, and I
continue to wear lots of skirts and dresses in our glorious warm weather.

Who will join me take a stand with their Summer body?

I salute you for doing this. And I'll try and wear some
shorts (or maybe a sleeveless blouse--I have more problems with my arms) as
soon as it warms up.YAY, Nancy. Thanks for your pro-active and positive
attitude.I will join you! It's about time....

In the last year or so, I have moved away from anything
sleeveless. I feel I look slimmer when my tops/dresses have sleeves because I'm
visually top heavy (even though my shoulder & hip measurement is the same).
I've still kept some sleeveless dresses though....and I'm going to start
wearing them. I love the idea of them, but don't like the way they emphasize
that the top of my thighs are my widest area. I'm going to find a way to wear
them because they're insanely comfortable!This is the best challenge EVER. I
will definitely participate!I'm joining you and Nancy in my own arm-bearing moment
and will embrace the challenge with confidence.I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! (and
yes...I'm yelling that at the top of my lungs
)

I'm so tired of hating my body - that kind of negativity is
exhausting, isn't it?

My first plunge into this challenge is actually my outfit
today - wide legged culottes. On short me! Not traditionally flattering and
combined with pale bare legs. And you know what? I feel great in my swishy
pants I will be participating in this
challenge for the remainder of the summer season. Love love love love love love
love love love

Thank you Angie...thank you for challenging us in a way that
helps boost our self confidence. Thank you for encouraging us to have fun.
Thank you for reminding us that ALL bodies and body parts are beautiful because
they are OURS. You are a gift to us. I hope you know that I'm in! I'm in!

Thank you for this wonderful idea. Love love love love love
love

I am and always have been very self conscious of my muscular
thighs. As a result, I have been dressing around them. Well let's change this!
Welcome skinnies and flats. Let's see where it takes me. My push back has
always been that I don't believe in cutting myself a break, because that it
implies that I'm giving up or thinking I don't deserve to look better. challenge.What
a positive challenge, Angie! I am in, of course.

The main three things about my body that are making me feel
self conscious are my very pale skin, short legs and stretch marks on my upper
legs I got when I was 11 or so and were completely out of my control as I went
through a growth spurt. So my outfits should feature shorter shorts and
proportions that are not leg elongating.Maneera, those are GREAT examples, and
I have no doubt that you will rock the looks.

Krish, you have fabulous thighs. Love healthy healthy
healthy healthy

Aliona, go for it.

Shannon, I know you to have a stellar positive attitude and
great body image. Your comment here confirms that. And I thought that your
outfit was Killer.

Vicki, your haiku on the blog post was AMAZING, and you also
have great arms. Rock on.

Lisa, I don't think it matters. You can perceive the
challenge just how you want to. Some people can't control their weight or level
of exercise in the same way that others can - and they shouldn't have to feel
shameful about their bodies because of it. The point of the challenge is to
self-accept, embrace and encourage each other. Feel free to interpret that as
you wish. It's all good.Tanya, I proudly bat for Team Healthy Vampire Skin with
you, and you have great legs.This a challenge I can get behind. Unfortunately
it's cold today and I'm wearing my winter "uniform". What am I self
conscious about? An easier question to answer would be what am I not self
conscious about. However I am grateful for my functioning arms and legs, and
general good health. Another player for team What a great idea Angie! Helena,
you crack me up. And I do eat chicken.

JAileen, see where this challenge takes you and feel
liberated. BTW, Angie I'm planning to come in July and look forward to meeting
you!!Great challenge! I need to think about this.Oh boy. this is going to be a
major challenge for me since I have quite a few issues with my body which is
pretty much anything below my waist, and now arms aren't looking the best
(although I'm working on it). This challenge will definitely force me to wear
my summer sleeveless tops that I've collected the past few years. Great challenge,
and yet another example of why I love YLF - the positive-ness we get so little
of in our society. Thank you so much, Angie.

I can't win, so must embrace. And will document. If the sun
ever comes out again here in the DC area! I think we've swapped weather
patterns with Seattle this spring. Great challenge! I will stop avoiding
sleeveless tops and knee-length skirts (must ignore prominent veins). Instead,
I will focus on wearing more color and I might even wear a swimsuit at the
beach again! This will make summer so much more enjoyable. I've always been
perversely proud of my paleness and never wanted to tan, fake tan, or even use
bronzer. I wasn't thrilled about the way my legs look, but I thought it would
be odd to fake tan them and nowhere else, so I never have. So that won't be
new...that's the stand I've taken forever.

Laurie, you crack me up. You are gorgeous. And I know your
boys think so too.

Sara, it's wonderful to be at a zen place with your body.

Peri, how about you grace us with a skirt or dress with
comfy shoes for your cute feet.

Katya, that's the spirit.The only real hang-ups I have are
not showing cleavage or muffin top. And we don't get all that many hot days to
show off body parts! I will participate as best I can considering surgery
recovery.I cannot wait for the summer challenge. Angie you have once again set
the standard.

Ya'll are very funny and brave.

My Challenge is showing my legs. I have had teenage chickenpox
and the scars from scratching are still visible at least to me.

It is something I'm very self conscious of. I will make an
effort to show my legs in some way this summer. I am me though and I try to be
my best me. That is what it's all about right?

I will join this challenge and look forward to it even.

Thank you Angie, and all, for the positive support and
reminder. I'd need a burka to hide my biggest flaw. haven't cared about my pale
skin in decades and I've never minded being a little hippy. Those are things
that millions of people are born with and there is nothing wrong with them.
Middle age has thrown a few extra pounds at me and I'm trying to shed them, but
in the meantime I'll still dress in things that are fun to me. My one real
figure flattery rule What a great challenge, Angie!

I'm also in the process of transitioning to my natural hair
colour. We'll see how far I get. I may have to cut it all super short because
I'm not loving the in-between state of it right now especially with the long
side fringe. I'm also not loving the long side-fringe, period. Just tired of
it, I think. So, onwards! I wear shorts even though my legs are not tanned (and
will not be) and look like my father's. Why could I not have inherited his
perfect teeth? I don't think about it much, if at all, anymore.

I will wear shorts when it warms up.

Great challenge Angie.Suz, you are wise. I have never
noticed your "knee bulges". All I see is Queen Radiant Health. Give
the long fringe a while. I was ready to chop it all off half way too. That
said, you're after your natural hair colour, so the chop is a good idea after
all.Ooooh, Angie, I like that challenge!! I had already sort of thought challenge.

And then, I could say I owned something denim so that would
be groundbreaking too. Except it would
have to be that denim looking, not really denim material...whatever that is.
The thin, soft kind for summer. Chambray?

So now to find a denim-ish dress that would look good on an
IT/Apple in gym shoes! Open to all suggestions. Love this post and reading
about how so many are in for the challenge! Woohoo! I will be cheering everyone
on

Chris, I’m excited to see what you come up with.

Joy, I have always admired how well you wear sleeveless tops
at almost 70.

Aida, thank you. Your challenge is to figure out why you are
still adjusting to your current size! You look 100% natural and at ease to me
though.

Marianna, I have always admired your skin and how well you
apply your make-up.

Peri, YES. Go for it. You are going to look adorable in a
denim dress. Try Tencel - a VERY soft denim look alike.

Rachy, bring on the cleavage.

UmmLila, you have great legs.

Krish, extra positive hugs for you. Thanks for the
cheerleading.

Jeanne, you always dress beautifully, and I miss seeing your
bling.

Peggy, that’s the spirit. Rock on.

Kerry, good for you.

Wow. This challenge has exploded and I am sooo happy about
that. WOOOHOOOOO.

Chris, I’m excited to see what you come up with.

Joy, I have always admired how well you wear sleeveless tops
at almost 70.

Aida, thank you. Your challenge is to figure out why you are
still adjusting to your current size! You look 100% natural and at ease to me
though.

Marianna, I have always admired your skin and how well you
apply your make-up.

Peri, YES. Go for it. You are going to look adorable in a
denim dress. Try Tencel - a VERY soft denim look alike.

Rachy, bring on the cleavage.

UmmLila, you have great legs.

Krish, extra positive hugs for you. Thanks for the
cheerleading.

Jeanne, you always dress beautifully, and I miss seeing your
bling.

Peggy, that’s the spirit. Rock on.

Kerry, good for you.

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rachylou

Veteran

I just realized for the challenge we all need to take our outfit pic with an instrument ... Just kidding!!