Visual Communication Reflection 1: Nudity

At the Visual Communication conference this past weekend, I saw a panel about the representation of the body that I feel merits additional discussion. I was fascinated by the topics that were all linked by images, visuals, and the body: nudity in sports magazines, the narratives of tattoos, and eyewitness testimony. I will devote a blog post to each of these ideas and then finally connect them all with an important communication concept and a personal example of that connection at work.

The first paper performed a critical rhetorical analysis of the visuals in ESPN Magazine's "body issue" that shows athletes in censored but mostly naked poses. As opposed to a pornographic magazine, the photographs were of athletes who covered genital and chest regions with creative posing, sports equipment, or other people.

Serena Williams - Tennis

The tagline for the body issue is the "bodies we want", an ode to the athletic form as the most desirable for both males and females. The issue even states that the reason for the special issue focusing on nudity is to "celebrate the athletic form", emphasizing the body as the ultimate tool of the athletes. Even though athletes may use soccer balls, nets, rackets, and bats, their fundamental tool and skill remains within the capabilities of their body. Strong legs, arms, and torsos, speed, agility, strength, and power are all attributes of the perfect athletic form that strives for victory and perfection.

"Each year, we stop to admire the vast potential of the human form. To unapologetically stand in awe of the athletes who've pushed their physiques to profound frontiers. To imagine how it would feel to inhabit those bodies, to leap and punch and throw like a god. To ... well, gawk. So go ahead; join us."

The idea is that "normal" people cannot achieve such physical fitness and athleticism is something "god-like", to be worshiped and praised. Athletes, though, arguably occupy a wide variety of physical fitness. From the small, thin frame of the jockey to the lean muscle of the runner to the bulky, muscular form of football players, athletes come in all shapes and sizes. Their bodies are thus icons of perfection, not because they fit a certain mold or standard of perfection, but because they are perfect tools to fulfill their specific role. Interesting additions to the body issue, infrequent, is the representation of Paralympic athletes such as Esther Vergeer (2010 issue) and Oksana Masters (2012 issue). Although their bodies may not be the "perfect", "god-like" bodies that one would initially think of, these athletes have become titans in their sport, serving as a symbol of the power of the athletic form, however one may define it.

Sarah Reinertsen - Marathon/Triathlon Runner

The part of the magazine that the researcher's focused on was that although the audience is almost exclusively young and middle-aged males, the magazine had nearly equal proportions of male and female athletes which would contradict heteronormative assumptions. Instead of only focusing on female forms to attract the attention of their target market, the magazine also included naked male bodies, complicating its association with pornographic material. 

The rationale behind the male/female frequency in the magazine was justified by the researchers in the comparison of the types of images. The female athletes were consistently shown in stoic, full body poses performing no action besides being a subject for the camera to focus on. For example, Venus Williams was shown supine in a bathing suit beside a pool, performing no action but relaxing. Julia Mancuso was standing facing the camera, bending a leg and crossing her arms to cover herself. From these photographs, we would have no indication of their sport, physical abilities, or skills as an athlete, but can only focus on their form as an attractive body.

Julia Mancuso - Olympic Skier

The male athletes, however, were consistently performing actions, such as aspects of their sport, exercising, or interacting with teammates. Instead of focusing on the body, the male photographs created action, a narrative, and activity to follow and contextualize the naked male form. For the female athletes, the only focus was directed to their body, showing no skill, talents, or actions specific to the sport or athletes. For example, Tim Howard was shown in goalie gloves diving across the photograph in an attempt to save an imaginary goal. Patrick Willis was shown exercising, lifting larger weights and emphasizing his strength, power, and muscles.

Jose Reyes - Baseball

Evaluating these differences as evidence of heteronormativity, the researchers conclude that the publication still objectifies female athletes for their attractive bodies and worships the male body as a site for action, victory, and athletic ability.

The methodology the researchers chose was based in gender and feminist studies, but I wish that the overall issue of the body and power had been explored. I find the inclusion of Paralympic bodies, the bodies of jockeys, bobsledders, and sumo wrestlers, and non-traditional athletic forms is a powerful statement about who can and should be considered an athlete.