assignment from last week:
Moving from our case study of gender to general ideas of self and representation, I'd like you to think about Butler's notion of repetitive acts. She'd argue that, while they're done by individuals, they actually entrain the individual within larger regimes of power. For example, I go to the gym (okay okay, it's hypothetical) ostensibly to not puff out and because I choose to be more fit and conditioned. But to a large degree that choice is the result of duress, pressure on me about body image and norms.That said, your assignment is to design an "exercise machine" that helps you do repetitive acts that condition you toward some societal norm. after brainstorming for a bit, the societal norm i chose which would require 'conditioning' was that of gendered hairstyles and hairstyle maintenance. the most 'suitable look' for women is a longer length, with frequent trips to one's hairdresser to mimic the most fashionable cut that's paraded in the glossies. gray hairs are to completely avoided or dyed. men, on the other hand, should have a short, neat, professional cut, with elegant salt + pepper (when appropriate), and should not deviate from a classic look.
exercise for women:
- purchase a 2006 year-of-hair calendar and put it on your wall/download to your palm desktop software. be sure to keep up with each new hairstyle each month as is dictated by the timetable. comes in two varieties, medium and long length, and gives tips on how to make your style versatile ("wear up! wear down! barrette it!")
- subscribe to your hairdresser's rss/xml feed. whenever there's a new cut that's meant to be had, be one of the first on your block to get the fashionable 'do.
- if you find a grey hair on your head, pluck a chicken (you cook, don't you?) as a warm-up, and then go to town on yourself.
- when relaxing at home, make use of your time by hanging lock-lengtheners (TM) on your hair. they're little weights that clip easily onto the ends of your hair. comes in colorful varieties and enables healthy growth by providing tension on your follicles.
- knit (you knit, don't you?) your loose hairs into a wig, to keep around for emergencies such as a bad cut, enrollment into the military, or a lapse in judgment for going 'butch'
exercise for men:
- do not go to any salon (they smell funny anyway), and only trust barbers who cut by menu number--stick with #3
- wear the patented haircutcap (TM) every week, which records how much mass of hair is on your scalp. when it reaches the length threshold, the cap tightens around your temples to tell you that it's time to get it cut immediately.
- if you're over 40, sprinkle some salt and pepper on your 'do every morning, just for good measure.
- avoid anything fruity, floral, vanilla, or herbal in your shampoo/gel. get xx-muskyspicy if it's available in your area.
- be robert redford.
Choose a space somewhere in the city and use your clothing or worn technology to intervene in what happens there.
