Universal Surveillance

Foucault uses illustrations of purification strategies, architectural significance, and institutional constructions to reveal the importance of the power of surveillance in society. For example, he introduces the piece with the strategic way a plague is contained through quarantine. This process of purification and fear of disease depicts the power of discipline from society. Also, this aspect of power highlights the fact that everyone is subject to observation and analysis. The architectural significance is the panopticon building. The panopticon allows for constant surveillance from a central tower, which observes the cells within the structure containing prisoners of visibility. The illustration of architecture shows the efficient operation of power. Lastly, societal institutions depict the process of disciplinary concepts in society through schools, factories and hospitals. Students, workers, and patients are conforming to acceptable roles in these institutions, rather than expressing independent liberties and rights because roles of citizens are influenced by an “omniscient eye” present in society.

Within Berger’s work the presence of capitalism in art effects society by the perpetuation of mystification. I feel Foucault would venture to discuss how the mystification of art is not only from capitalism, but also from excessive perspective considered within the omniscient eye. The abundance of perspectives to consider when having an opinion of art is limited to the knowledge one possesses. Fortunately, within a panopticon the aim is to strengthen social forces to develop the economy, spread education, and raise public morality. Therefore, Foucault’s importance of power in surveillance parallels Berger’s idea of power in capitalism.

Bordo presents body image as a result of constructed conventions being challenged, proving the power of perspective in society. Her example of Michael Jordan’s success as an athlete and his embrace of male decorativeness, supports her idea of the conditional acceptance of conventions. Foucault focuses on the power of institutions to bestow a conviction on individuals in certain circumstances. The institutional “eyes” involved allowed the ability for a man to be athletic and fashionable. Michael Jordan knows he is being watched and feels confident he isn’t conflicting with his acceptable role as a celebrity by liking nice clothing. Once again the omniscient eye reigns regarding the shifts in conventional views.

Lastly, Nochlin’s historical approach when evaluating body image parallels Foucault’s historical respect for the “technical program” of surveillance. They each try to target a constant factor that influences perspective. Their historical awareness is important to understanding the formation of the disciplinary society.

One is always influenced by the perspectives of other’s when trying to understand the world. Human nature programs an awareness of institutions affecting our decisions. When considering the mystification, conditional conventions, and historical progression of acceptable behaviors in society, the omniscient eye trumps all these influential factors. Foucault reveals that convictions are the result of feared judgment from universal surveillance.   

Body Image

Nochlin, a professor of modern art, and Bordo, a philosopher, both have an interesting way of presenting the body in relation to culture. Personally, I feel Bordo speaks more powerfully to my generation about body image. Bordo highlights the conventionalized reaction to our idea of "appropriate" body image. Through the use of examples in modern culture she emphasizes the constructed acceptance of certain views of the body. On the other hand, Nochlin focuses on a more historical construction of body image, revealing the foundation for our modern conventions of image. The work of Nochlin allows one to perceive the perpetuation of views regarding image in different time periods, with different cultural characteristics.

Bordo's work makes more sense to me because of not only her writing style, but her use of helpful examples to convey her points. In "Beauty Rediscovers the Male Body," she connects with specific aspects of culture that are present in my time period and my current culture. One example Bordo uses for the constructed view of body image was very enlightening, concerning the convention of a women's shame for curiosity. Bordo begins the piece discussing her surprise when being aroused by an advertisement, which featured a male model. Traditionally men are the starers and women are the subjects observed, when these roles are reversed it displays an unnatural occurrence. The presence of more male models in advertising was a shift that challenged the conventions of a woman's appropriate level of curiosity. This shift also challenged a male's appropriate display of body image in relation to gender roles. Bordo used the example of Michael Jordan, as a representative of both masculinity and fashion to question the present cultural convention of masculinity. "Male decorativeness" was acceptable for Jordan because he is an athlete, meaning our culture is circumstantial and manipulated by what the majority views as acceptable. Therefore, Bordo conveyed that the reversal of roles regarding starer and observer; and the circumstantial cultural views in society challenge body image.

Nochlin's research on Renoir's painting, "The Great Bathers," posed as the central example of constructed views of body image. This work of art from the late 1800s poses little inquiry without Nochlin's view of the importance of perspective, while examining the piece. Renoir's work inspired a collection of art in a "Bathers" genre. The evaluation of this work challenges the foundation of conventions constructed through different time periods. For example, the Greeks featured men and boys in the nude, yet after the rise of Christianity only women were featured in the nude. This shift created a convention that objectifies women and allows men to be starers, without conviction. Nochlin doesn't present a clear view of her perspective, revealing the importance of respecting numerous opinions. By observing the broad spectrum of perspective, one can see the importance of a historical understanding of conventional changes in different time periods.    

Through the use of examples in modern culture Bordo emphasizes the constructed acceptance of certain views of the body. Nochlin focuses on a more historical construction of body image, revealing the foundation for our modern conventions of image. Both, Bordo and Nochlin's work, are necessary to have a complete idea and understanding of body image. They discuss present and historical information to develop a clear timeline of conventions, and the reason for conventional shifts.