Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Stills
Photos!
The title of this series is fictitious - Sherman’s series of photos depict the artist herself representing the various tropes/roles/characters that women take on in Hollywood.
These photos highlight the relationship of male observer vs. female subject put forth by Linda Mulvey, specifically in film: 1) the male characters in the movie, 2) the camera perspective, and 3) the ultimate audience place the female characters as objects purely for the male viewer’s enjoyment.
While the essay is much more complex, Sherman’s photos work as a visual aid and perfect example of the point.
Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still #21 (1978), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #17 (1978), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #43 (1979), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #52 (1979), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #32 (1979), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #24 (1978), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #33 (1979), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #62 (1977), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #12 (1978), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #13 (1978), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #42 (1979), MoMA, New York
Sherman, Untitled Film Still #39 (1979), MoMA, New York
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Laura Mulvey’s 1973 “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” essay that describes and (rightfully) critiques the male gaze.
The series page, with further info, from MoMA (who acquired the full body of work)