Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis - ECU Access Only
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Contemporary Arts Honours
School
School of Contemporary Arts
Faculty
Faculty of Education and Arts
First Supervisor
Dr Dean Chan
Second Supervisor
Dr Nicola Kaye
Abstract
Employing reflexive praxis as its methodology, this Honours project has been constructed around two exhibitions of creative work. The theoretical research is framed by Judith Butler's (1990, 2004) notion of gender performativity. Specifically, this research addresses Butler's conceptions of gender transgression and ecstasy as strategies for reflexively engaging with the social and cultural forces that frame gendered bodies. In particular, it investigates the ways in which Butler's notion of the transgressive, ecstatic gendered body exposes possibilities for generating subjective agency under normative hegemonic structures. The creative research component of this research has entailed further development of my existing creative practice. It has involved manipulating inner tubes, creating both sculptural objects and video works, to explore and test ideas around constraining gender norms, agency and the embodied self. This creative exploration resulted in works that were shown in two exhibitions, in September 2009 and May 2010. The period leading up to and between each exhibition was employed in reflexively engaging with the creative works and theoretical research to further refine and develop those ideas. A final period of reflexive praxis was undertaken in the creation of this exegesis.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is restricted to the exegesis
Recommended Citation
Carter, J. (2010). Bodies in ecstasy: An investigation, through creative praxis, into gender, transgression and the possibility of generating politically engaged subjective agency. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1339