Related to Scharfstein's text in chapter 1, he makes a point that stuck out to me. On page 50, hé explains that in the European culture, foot binding was a popular way to make women more beautiful, or visually pleasing. He goes on to explain that this was usaully done by women of upper-class, and sometimes by women of lower class. This stood out to me because I interpreted it as mans quest for beauty. And if man, or women, found this beauty, then they would be viewed as perfect.
Another interpretation could be this: if it was women of upper class that practiced this strange "mutilation," then maybe it is was because people who were thought of as "ideal" or wealthy, had a responsibility to look the part of upperclassman. Just as men would wear rare, expensive clothing, women were expected to look delicate and small.
This could be related to art in that people who have the luxury of finer things, must prove it in the way they display it. Just as artists must make their art visually pleasing, they must display it properly as well, so people can see without doubt what that art was meant to say.
No comments:
Post a Comment