Dos de Tres Caidas, mixed media on canvas, 12 x12 in., 2009.
This artwork by Misty Ovalles gives off mixed messages in regards to Chicana feminism, which is why I chose it. In class we have focused on political and social equality in many of the art pieces that we have seen. Dos de Tres Caidas does send a message of womanly power in the strength of the subjects body, and in the crown she wears on her head. But, I think that in first looking at this piece, the eyes automatically go to the center, where the subjects breasts are prominent and cater to the male gaze. It is what photoshopped images of models usually look like. The most obvious thing about this work is the woman's highly sexualized body.
Second to her being mostly naked and portrayed in a non-realistic way, she is dressed to fight. Her luchadora costume does have functionality for her legs to move and be free for the fight. The top part of the costume would let her breasts be free for the fight too, but I'm not certain what function that would serve in battle. She also wears the crown on her head, and has her hand on her hip in a stance that exudes confidence. She has a bit of a scowl on her face, letting people know that she is not to be messed with.
The conflicting messages in this work tell me that it was not necessarily intended to be part of a political or social movement. But, the work does stand out because like other Chicana artists, the Chicana herself is the subject matter. It seems like if there were a slight difference to the piece (as in her breasts not being glamorized), the artwork would have sent a more powerful message of Chicana feminism. It is interesting how small decisions that the artists make can send powerful social directives.
Second to her being mostly naked and portrayed in a non-realistic way, she is dressed to fight. Her luchadora costume does have functionality for her legs to move and be free for the fight. The top part of the costume would let her breasts be free for the fight too, but I'm not certain what function that would serve in battle. She also wears the crown on her head, and has her hand on her hip in a stance that exudes confidence. She has a bit of a scowl on her face, letting people know that she is not to be messed with.
The conflicting messages in this work tell me that it was not necessarily intended to be part of a political or social movement. But, the work does stand out because like other Chicana artists, the Chicana herself is the subject matter. It seems like if there were a slight difference to the piece (as in her breasts not being glamorized), the artwork would have sent a more powerful message of Chicana feminism. It is interesting how small decisions that the artists make can send powerful social directives.
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