This is the original Allen Jones chair on which Dasha Zhukova sat for the photoshoot. The copy on which she sat shows a black mannequin but that is what I would call artistic liberty,
I personally would not buy it or sit on it as I think that it is in poor taste and I doubt very much that it will be comfortable for me.
But to call it racist just because the colour of the back rest, seat and parts of the bottom is black, I think is absurd. It will be equivalent to calling me racist for wearing a pair of black shoes instead of say brown. Or, perversely, sitting on exactlty the same chair with white as the predominant colour with the mannequin being white.
Being politically correct is getting to be absurd.
Couldn’t agree more, Ramana. On all counts. Not least because those stiletto heels would dig into my head.
Yes, political correctness has gone mad. I know it sounds ridiculous but I sometimes ask whether it’s ok to say … You name it. Anything. To think I lost a friend over one word which was apparently inappropriate (I said ‘preference’ rather than ‘orientation’ – what the hell do I know about these matters?). I remember my father coming home giving me what was then called a ‘golliwog’. I loved my golliwog (despite the fact that it was a blow up plastic number). It was black and its eyes were hugely white in contrast. Do I ever mention golliwog unless I am among friends who, with a bit of luck, have no idea what I am talking about? Of course not. I keep my mouth shut. I don’t even know any longer what to call anyone unless they are white. In which case it’s ok to say ‘a white person’. Hallelujah.
U
Ursula recently posted..Lace
I have been preoccupied and have come late to read many other comments and find that my assessment of the depth of revulsion has been low.
Well, I would say someone sitting on a chair made of a doubled-up black woman seems pretty racist to me, but does it seem racist to black people? Maybe not, I’m open to all points of view! I think the original version was also criticised for being sexist, but again I’m open to persuasion otherwise. Is it just a clever work of art?
nick recently posted..Wot, no kids?
Frankly, it never occurred to me that it could be sexist too.
It doesn’t appeal to me, and it wouldn’t no matter what the person holding up the seat looked like.
Cheerful Monk recently posted..A Comforting Thought
It does not appeal to me either but it certainly has raised a big storm even from some of my readers.
It’s not racist at all. It is, however, shamefully misogynistic. And I don’t think it’s fair to cast off an objection to something that sexist as mere political correctness. I find the thing outrageously offensive.
Secret Agent Woman recently posted..Yo no hablo español…yet.
Interesting point you are making, Agent. Yet, I wouldn’t call the ‘art’ work misogynistic or sexist as you do. Or ‘outrageously offensive’. I dare say, and stone me for it, the only reason women are made into objects of desire because, as any man will agree with, they are more attractive. And men are visual. Glove in hand.
U
Ursula recently posted..Romans and countrymen
That is NOT the only reason. It is about maintaining power, just as rape is a crime of power rather than sexual desire.
Secret Agent Woman recently posted..Yo no hablo español…yet.
I just showed this to my son, who is 17 and solidly heterosexual. He said that since it is art, he thinks the point is to make you a little disgusted so that you think about the societal implications of treating women like that. Definitely, as WWW points out, pronunciation of women – it is meant to demean omen not admire them. WOuld you be okay if the woman in the art was your wife?
Secret Agent Woman recently posted..Yo no hablo español…yet.
Your son has a square head on his shoulders and I suppose due to his age and the peer influence, he is more clued in to nuances that escaped me.
There is this new angle to it which frankly had not occurred to me.
I’m with SAW on this one, Ramana, when I saw it on FB I was horrified, the pornification of women, yet again. Think a man or child in this position and how appalling it would be.
XO
WWW
wisewebwoman recently posted..5%
WWW, certain facts we just have to accept as part of human nature. As unpalatable as they may be.
There is a danger (you call it ‘pornification’) of making women into victims and men into predators. I don’t think it fair (to men).
U
Ursula recently posted..Romans and countrymen
Ursula:
I have a lot of difficulty with the fact women have to be perceived as always perceived as “f*ckable”. And to be made into a chair in a pornographic position (does she look comfortable) just adds to my outrage.
XO
WWW
wisewebwoman recently posted..5%
I would offer the same response that I offered SAW.
oh good grief charlie brown.
being politically correct is definitely absurd. as is the chair.
tammyj recently posted..hark!
Quite! As Jeeves would say.
Ramana, I have to totally disagree with you on this one. Think about it from a black American point of view. On the birthday and holiday for Martin Luther King Jr a picture shows up of a rich white woman sitting on a chair with a black woman in bondage. Of course we saw it as racist, and you’ll notice how quickly the company pulled the image. This is the kind of thing that will keep the races in this country at each other’s throats for, well, probably forever because the majority could care less and others don’t get it either. And probably being the only black American male who’ll respond to this, I expect I’ll be the only one who sees is as the race issue it is, even if it’s also a mysogynistic statement against women.
Mitch Mitchell recently posted..10 Ways Diversity Improves Our Lives
I see where you come from Mitch and can relate. It had not occurred to me that this could be a reaction from black Americans.
Racism? This is beyond the pale, looking for any excuse…
blessings ~ maxi
Maxi Malone recently posted..I’m Never Eatin’ Froglegs Again
After reading all the comments, I am in agreement with you Maxi.