9/22-Idea-Androgyny

an·drog·y·nous (n-drj-ns)

adj.

1. Biology Having both female and male characteristics; hermaphroditic.

2. Being neither distinguishably masculine nor feminine, as in dress, appearance, or behavior.

The picture posted is from my studio set that I did recently. I figured I was there and the lights were prepped so I might as well get some candids. I was focusing too much and needed to just shoot. I was particularly interested in this shot because I felt like my sex was mutable. If I cloned my cleavage out it seems even more genderless. I only cropped out my mouth from the original image. I've always been interested in the idea of androgyny in general.

I came across Ann Chwatsky's work when taking a documentary class. She has an androgyny series that is very interesting. 'I am interested in the blending of genders and in exploring what identity is today. These photographs explore the shifting boundaries between conventional gender distinctions. Their aim is to investigate the unique sensuality of the androgynous experience from the point of view of the aesthetic, rather than socio-political: I am concerned with the beauty and eroticism inherent in this redefinition, rather than with ideologies of sexual preference.' I think her work is really interesting and find it hard for me to leave gender out of my work.

Relating to my project, I'm not sure where gender fits in. When I think of what is important to me the word identity comes to mind. Gender resounds more than race to me. Black people were oppressed but women have always fought hard and still are inferior to men. There are so many expectations relating to gender as well. I feel like there are binaries in so many situations. There is a black and white binary in America. Black or white? When you are multi-racial, whether or not it is just black and white, you get categorized. Black/white/indian/not of hispanic origin/pacific islander.... Check one. The pressures on gender are even heavier. Most people don't really think about it. They either appear how they want to or dress how they are expected. I feel very fluid in my identity. Fluid and flexible. I may be more feminine one day and switch up the next.

In a perfect world I would rather be genderless. Genderqueer. I do what I want because its how I am feeling. I think that is why I keep thinking of a neutral starting point. Blank slate. Its almost impossibe to be neutral though. What is neutral?