Faculty Sponsor

Sarah Jantzi, Aimee Tomasek

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Art, Commnuications

Presentation Type

Artistic Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 3-20-2020

Abstract

The media has the ability to be detrimental when it comes to how we think about our bodies. What our society has deemed as the most beautiful body—thin, fit, and light skinned—is shown through celebrity culture, in advertisements for beauty products, and even in how we talk about ourselves to each other. “Media literacy” is having the knowledge that the media influences each one of us, and our culture on a daily basis.

My project consists of four mixed media pieces which all include a piece of a self-portrait, whether it be my face, body, or hands. Surrounding the images of me are phrases that I found in magazines like “How do you fix me?” and “Break down time old hierarchies.” Although at first glance some words may seem to have a negative connotation, but they symbolize my struggle to develop better ways of thinking about my body after being exposed to media literacy. I hope that people who view my art will actively work to disprove society’s beauty standard simply by having the knowledge that they are constantly influenced. If I can create more agents of change who can make us all feel confident about our natural bodies, I will consider this project a success.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Claire Utzinger is a senior studio art major and communications minor. She became interested in media literacy after taking the class "Gender, Race, and Class in the Media" with Dr. Tiffany Bell. Claire wanted to combine this new interest with art, as it is a form of media, and also a passion of hers. In the future she hopes become an art teacher and show students the impact art can make on themselves and others.

For Artistic Presentations

40 inches x 48 inches, 5 pounds

Additional Files
SOURCE2020-Art-6.pptx (49586 kB)
Utzinger_SOURCE Presentation.mp4 (191014 kB)
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