ARTIST STATEMENT:
The cultural representation I chose was something that is
near and dear to my heart: Shakepeare’s Sonnet 130. This is a unique sort of
sonnet, going against the usual conventions of the day. Shakespeare speaks of a
mistress who is not the fairest of them all, not the best singer, but still the
greatest lover a man could have. More than any other piece of his writing, I
connect with these 14 lines like a magnet. I do not consider myself to be the
prettiest or most accomplished female, but still I believe that would not
hinder any relationship.
I was inspired by the Jenkins piece we read, How Texts Become Real, to delve into the
world I know best to remix this representation. Due to my tastes, interests,
even my job, I have found myself as a woman in a man’s world. Anywhere I go
this is an integral part of who I am. Most representations of the female in
today’s world are either hyper-realized in which the nuclear family is
represented with a stay at home mother, or it under-estimated in which females
do not have much responsibility or purpose other than physical entertainment. Statistically
speaking, female representation in films has gone down in the last five years,
according to Rose Eveleth of Smithsonian.com. There is not much in-between, or reality which
saddens me.
Throughout the years I have noticed a few characters in the
media who have nailed that “in-between” area where women can be powerful and
work well alongside a man. For my project, much thanks to Mr. Jenkins, I
decided to piece together clips and images of all of these women whom I have
studied for some time and consider being “real” women. These “real” women fall
under the same category that I do: the unorthodox mistress. Some may not be
pretty in the conventional sense, but I consider all gorgeous for their
combination of wit and personality. Some may not be as accomplished as most
Renaissance men would prefer, yet they are just as capable of handling
themselves with their own skills and experiences. I chose to underlie the entire sonnet with “Princess
Leia’s Theme” as composed by John Williams. When asked what he was thinking
about while writing a traditionally “romantic” theme, he wanted to show a
softer and delicate side to this wildly masculine tale, but still have a
driving force behind the music. It adds a lyrical element to the video, but
also keeps a rhythmic pulse like a heartbeat. Movies are what I know best;
hence they became the elements of choice to build upon the Shakespearean ideal.
This piece is nearly a mirror of what I believe of myself. I
am not the sort of female to sit quietly by while a man works by himself. My
opinions matter to me and I will give them with full confidence, no one will
change my mind until I have made the decision first. This video is full of
strong, able bodied women who I think are much more real than most because I
can relate to them. The pride of Lizzy Bennet, the courage of Hermione Granger,
the sass of Donna Noble, and the determination of Padme Amidala, all of these
traits are not traditionally praised by the Renaissance poets idolizing their
lovers. In fact, these would all be frowned upon in that time. Yet today, in
this increasingly feministic world, I find these traits more admirable than
condemnable. Shakespeare had something with his Sonnet 130; real women last
much longer in love.
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