Where is the Supermodel Game Going?

My childhood was in a time when it was perceived as the golden age of supermodels.  One however, seemed to separate herself from the rest.  Cindy Crawford was a valedictorian and discovered at 16 while working in a corn field in Illinois, by a local newspaper photographer.   She was different but not too different being able to maintain her All-American girl image.  She also marketed herself as a product with name and face recognition. 

With the rise of gossip magazines and TMZ, celebrities replaced models as the cover stars on all magazines when they were selling better.  On a Vogue cover, a modern icon like Gisele still sells fewer copies than Jennifer Lopez on the newsstand.  Perhaps that is because there are avid J. Lo fans and relatively few Gisele fans, but rather than capitalize on personality, models have continued to get more focused on their name (or making of that name).  If women are not averse to worshipping ideals of beauty, they at least want some difficult personal backstory to go with the ideal.  The problem with the idols that America makes is they are too generic.  They convey nothing in pictures beyond physical beauty.  Chanel Iman is the best of the bunch, but that is because it seems like she might have a personality.  It would be nearly impossible for one model to control media the way Crawford was able to do in the '90s, because there is so much more media now to monopolize.  In an industry often considered to be one of the most frivolous on earth, she took the selling of her own appearance seriously.  How can modeling be considered frivolous when it has such a large impact on our culture?

And ultimately that is what Cindy Crawford had that the other supermodels did not have.  Not a diva or a ditz.  Warm and present rather than cold and distant.  She still understands how to maintain a fantasy, which is why she makes occasional appearances in commercials as the MILF next door.  She made it through the gauntlet of the fashion industry, where constant physical criticism is routine and aging is frowned upon (and then injected with Botox for frown lines), with her dignity intact.

The thing about Cindy that especially sets her apart visually is her mole that some people find disgusting.  But it is memorable, and it became her image, tied to the American tradition of Marilyn Monroe's beauty mark.  And because Crawford's mole could be seen as a flaw, it made her slightly more relatable.  That is why she is more specifically iconic than Christy Turlington or Stephanie Seymour, who are objectively equally beautiful.  Having one obvious "imperfection" became an asset.  Even Heidi Klum tries for something similar, but Klum cannot be relatable no matter how much she tries.  Being down-to-earth is not in Heidi's DNA, which traffics in haughty German perfectionism.

Cindy embodied the clash in the '90s between European fashion (flashy and baroque) and American fashion (obsessed with cleanliness and simplicity).  Rather than the image of a model as a fussy and feminine living doll, Cindy Crawford was James Dean. She did not invent the model-as-American-rebel idea, she was imitating Gia Carangi, to whom she was often compared.  But Cindy, like Gia and Angelina Jolie (whose breakout role was her portrayal of Gia in an HBO movie), brought the same sort of incorruptible strength of presence and associated sexual energy.  Even in a ball gown or styled to look demurely feminine, Cindy broadcasts toughness, a kind of forthright cowgirl confidence. 

She branded herself as American, constantly.  As much as Michael Jordan did.  She established an iconography of white tees and blue jeans and soda, an American flag rippling somewhere in the background.  She might as well have been Wonder Woman.  Megan Fox in Transformers is just Michael Bay's heat dream of the Cindy Crawford persona.

Her real successor is Tyra Banks, who also understood how to latch onto the whole "all-American" thing, how to build yourself into a brand that could last past a modeling career.  In Tyra's case patriotism was also invoked to counteract the institutionalized racism in the fashion world (particularly prevalent overseas, where much of the industry is located).  Banks both embodied the hypertraditional California-girl ideal and flipped the ideal by being black.  She was the first black Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover girl and the first black Victoria's Secret model, thereby extending the unforgivingly impossible ideals of youth, beauty, and sex appeal for women somewhat, but not nearly far enough.  Banks also stays relevant by using reality t.v. 

 I wonder if all this public vanity will reach a point where people will start to reject it outright, to consider the negative mental effects and self-esteem problems that constant physical comparison and competition create in everyone, male and female (especially children), or whether it will continue infinitely into a narcissism event horizon.  The whole concept of an "ideal" beauty is so false, so blatantly subjective, why do we valor something no mortal person can achieve?

Orientalism

Recently, I was treated to a presentation in class from a group discussing James Bond and the influence of Orientalism.  I greatly appreciate the point of view displayed by the group but something inside of me felt different from what they were saying.  I have always known Orientalism to focus on the Muslim culture in the Middle East and North Africa.  The group made Orientalism come across more as a universal view of the east to include india, south Asia and the Far East.  I didn't want to argue any point and take away from their presentation, so I felt it best to not dispute on prior knowledge that I didn't research.

Overall, I became almost obsessed in my own personal research of this subject just for the interest of the subject.  The group in class performed great and gave me a need to kind of want to feel things out.  I think in conclusion that we are both correct (if that is possible).  Orientalism kind of has a conflicting definition but I think overall, the main focus is placed upon the Middle East and North African cultures.  Orientalism is based in Europe and portrays their view of the culture mainly in a derogatory sense in that the Muslim culture having a lack the current technologies in the world was inferior.  But there was also the fascination with its exotic elements.  The colors, architecture, food and especially the women attracted many European men to become almost obsessed in visiting and even living in these areas. 

My argument with having the Far East included in Orientalism is that China and Japan have their own titles, Chinoiserie and Japonisme respectively.  Also, Asians are often offended by having anything referred to as oriental because it is not their culture.  In talking to Asians about that, I was told that it oriental was disrespectful and a put down to there culture.  Not sure that I agree with that because it was explained to me that it was the same as being called Negro.  Well, while it is an outdated term, I don't find it derogatory at all. China, Japan and alike Asians cultures are not considered has exotic as the Muslim culture.  Mainly because the element of mystery is not as prominent and also these cultures are superpowers in the trade industry.  Being familiar with the West also helps in the national relations.

Still, I wouldn't deny the influence that these cultures have upon each other.  Having a fascination with each other and a need in trade leads to bonding and dependence on each other to survive.  The importance of having to get along was brought up by the class group but they also focused on taking it for granted and in a way not having respect for a certain culture because it is seen as inferior.  They stressed having an awareness that is not always displayed and hopefully people have grown over time to value the differences we all have.  Orientalism is a big part of that.  Being used in a general sense (which is okay) or being technical in your terminology (also right), doesn't defer from this message and hopefully people can show greater interest in things that are outside the comfort zone.

Hawaiian Culture: Greatly Loved but Sometimes Underappreciated

Recently, there was a discussion on the campus of Cal State Northridge about the Hawaiian/Polynesian Culture Month that is to focus different events and promotions in celebration.  I talked to a few students and civilian of this decent and asked their feelings in order to get a feeling of America and its place with this culture. 

There was a tone of resentment towards the American government from the fact that they came to Hawaii and overthrew the royalty and current structure of their livelihood.  The Hawaiian language was even outlawed for a time while the islands were colonized.  Over the years though, I think that the merging of the two cultures were able to appreciate each other and grow within a bond starting with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. 

A lot of the Hawaiian culture is taken for being kitsch which, Hawaiians find disrespectful, starting with the exploitation of the women being perceived as sexual objects.

The Tiki culture itself began in the United States in 1934 with the opening of Don the Beachcomber, a Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood.   The proprietor was Ernest Raymond Beaumont-Gantt, a young man from Louisiana who had sailed throughout the South Pacific and later he legally changed his name to Donn Beach. Three years later, Victor Bergeron, better known as Trader Vic, adopted a Tiki theme for his restaurant in Oakland, which eventually grew to become a worldwide chain.  The theme took on a life during the restaurant's growth in the Bay Area. The Trader Vic in Palo Alto not only spawned architectural choices, such as the architectural concept behind the odd looking Tiki Inn Motel, which still exists as the Stanford Terrace Inn. There also currently exists a modern sculpture garden from Papua New Guinea that was made to celebrate the modern form of art that was a large part of the original inspiration for tiki culture.  Tiki kitsch culture is a theme used in Polynesian-style restaurants and clubs originally in the United States and then, to a lesser degree, around the world. Although inspired in part by Tiki carvings and mythology, the connection is loose and stylistic, becoming that American kitsch form and not a Polynesian fine art form.

Polynesian design began to infuse every aspect of the country's visual aesthetic, from home accessories to architecture. The peak of its popularity seems to coinside with the 1960's.  Single family homes, apartment complexes, business and even large shopping and living districts of some cities were heavily influenced by Polynesian aesthetics. However, by the 1980s, most of the Polynesian aesthetic had been completely wiped away in the name of progress, some architectural examples of homes, apartments and restaurant buildings remain. A small handful of locations still contain carved tikis. 

Post-war America saw the rise of the middle class as an economic force. This coupled with ever increasing affordability of travel, particularly newly established air travel to Hawaii, helped to propel the nation's interest in all things tropical. Hawaiian statehood was a major factor which further drove the tropical lifestyle popularity, and Americans fell in love with their romanticized version of an exotic culture. Another related factor was the excitement surrounding the Kon-Tiki expedition.  Today, Polynesian traditions such as dancing even in good faith can be taken into account of being disregarded in its sense of a scared and religious art and more of a entertaining good time. 

In learning this, the focus was not the fact that it is incorrect but the fact no one cares it is incorrect. 

I wonder about the importance of exploiting this culture under the goal of gaining tourism and the economy.  Personally, I believe that doing all these activities, even if not even performed by authentic natives have to provide a substantial percentage to the entire economy of all Polynesian countries.  But is this different in any other culture?  It turns out it is mainly because the Hawaiian culture is at a threat of being wiped clean from record.  There are less than 150,000 native Hawaiians left and maintaining a sort of purity of their culture and history become more difficult with every generation.  I commend the American people for being able to draw attention to one of it smallest states and value its contributions to our society but I hope that understanding that having a good time on the beach is not all Hawaii and its fellow Pacific Island kin have to offer.

Jerry Maguire Review

Jerry Maguire is a movie that makes you want to hug yourself.  Jerry Maguire (played by Tom Cruise), is a high ranking sports agent who has a large amount of clients that he can't really focus on any of them. He spends most of his time travelling, going hotel to hotel, constantly meeting up with client and doing the bidding of the company.   Jerry is then fired for having a revelation is the sense that he should be more personal with his client and the company should be more like family than employees.   Being perceived as going insane all of his clients stick with the secure corporation.  Only one client doesn't leave Maguire when he is fired.   Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a wide receiver for Arizona, who fights with Jerry but sees him as being sincere and believe in his ability to make him successful.  Rod's wife Marcee (Regina King) is Tidwell’s most supportive, dedicated and all-around biggest fan, and their marriage is a true love story. Jerry’s own engagement to the power-mad Avery Bishop (Kelly Preston) is then shown to be exposed as some sort of relationship out of convenience instead of love.

Renee Zellweger (Dorothy Boyd), whose lovability is one of the key elements in a movie that starts out looking cynical and quickly becomes a heart warmer.  She is a single mother in a seemingly dead end job and is instantly infatuated with Jerry Maguire.  She has moments where she is standing in her kitchen and tells her older sister that she really, truly, loves a man with her whole heart and soul.  Cruise plays Maguire with the earnestness of a man who wants to find greatness and happiness in an occupation where only success really counts.  She plays a woman who believes in this guy she loves, and reminds us that true love is about idealism ( ``I love you because of who you are--and who I am when I am with you.'').  There are also lines that have resonated with the current culture of the world and keep this movie as a constant reminder to classic moments in film (“You complete me….”, “You have me at hello.”)

To keep the male audience somewhat engaged; there is an actual sports element and comedic dialog that relates to guys. 

The actual sports scenes are actually very predictable.  Yet the focus is to give the feel good satisfaction and also keep the sports from overshadowing the focus on Jerry and dilemmas.  Finally the movie is about transformation: About two men who learn how to value something more important than money, and about two women who always knew.  Both Jerry and Rod have to fight through the trials and tribulations of wanting to be successful without having to sell out or having to sacrifice the idea that it can’t be done while being dedicated family men.

The Rules of Attraction

Recently, I have read a book by Bret Easton Ellis called, The Rules of Attraction.  It is a satirical novel that also has comedic elements in it.  It is based on a fictional college in the New England area named Camden College.  The story follows a few students that become involved with each other mainly through their own personal attraction and relationships with each other.  It is a complicated environment and they continue to fight and yearn for each others attention in one way or another.  The setting is based on a typical 80's campus so love in that time is different from today in the sense that sex is more promiscuously accepted and drugs are a bit more reckless among the student body.

The struggle of being a college student alone is enough for a person to handle.  Trying to find love in the sense that you are either lonely or in the need of affection is an asset that can help you succeed or become such a distraction that you can sabotage yourself.  Love is something that is nostalgic in anyone's recollection so the culture of the time defiantly as an instant effect at times.

My focus in our group is to bring into light the main point but somehow set in a sort of underlining plot of novel which is the fight and complex nature of love.  Being directly involved with pop culture, love is a major part of everyone's lives.  Be it a song, movie, book or historical moment, you can usually point to it connecting you to someone special at the time giving you a feeling maybe missed or felt for the first time.  A first kiss with a song in the background, love at first sight upon someone wearing the hippest outfit and immaculate hairstyle, and having that first dance to "our" song while having your heart race and embrace someone who's side you never want to leave.  These are memories that transform people into being able to connect with society on a intimate level.

The novel also puts into play the difficult hurdles that people face in this environment.  Being from different classes, stressing the torture of a long distance relationship, being of a multiple sexual preference, even having the trouble of trying to express yourself without knowing the words to say.  During our class discussion, I plan to involve the class by first trying to relate to them with and express there own ideas of pop culture and love.  Things that bring certain memories or even basic cultural references such as going on a first date (dinner and a movie) or bringing roses and candy.  Next, relating those things to how they differ today or if it is a staple in our society and therefore graduating into a tradition.  Our group as a whole is going to have the class help analyze the story by bringing in their own point of views into the story and bring it in a full circle by comparing it to today.  Overall, The Rules of Attraction did give me a aspect of personal struggle and agony that I did not realize and although exaggerated  seemed fairly believable.