Photography and Text by Kanako Taijima
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Gaze of Eroticization
From an art history perspective, “oriental” women have traditionally been portrayed in the erotic manner. Yet, this notion still remains even now in fetishization of Asian eyes, and misrepresentations of traditional clothing. This series of photos illustrates how we see eroticization of the Asian female. With red skirt and hair color with exotic styling, she immediately becomes an oriental, exotic dancer from somewhere in Asia.
With long winged eyeliner, vibrant lipsticks and kimono, she instantly becomes a typical “geisha” that western eyes portray obsessively.
But she fights the gaze. Wanting to express the inner sexiness that does not get objectified by a generalized view of the Asian woman.
She confronts the gaze as a self-empowered modern women. With black dress and silver heels, she is confident of her sexiness and does not get confined in Asian stereotyping. The revelation.
Photography and Text by Kanako Taijima, Copyright 2015
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About The Author: Kanako Tajima is a junior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2017. To read more articles by Kanko Tajima, go to the search bar at the bottom of the page, type in author’s name, click the search icon.