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Cowboys and cocks : the heterosexual construction and homosexual appropriation of masculinity

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the performative construction and appropriations of heteronormative
masculinities by heterosexual and homosexual men respectively. My interest in
masculinity as a culturally constructed fantasy is extended to imply a desire for the
masculine. The idea of masculine desire is further developed by indicating a possible
(homo)sexual desire for the heteronormative representation of masculinity.
In highlighting the artificial and material qualities of the assumed stable phallus, the
impassable structure of hegemonic masculinities, such as manifested in the cowboy and
bodybuilder, is turned into the penetrable penis as object of the male gaze. I will
concentrate on the fetishization of heterosexual masculine signifiers in physique
photography in order to demonstrate this shift in the male gaze.
Masculinity as a (de)attachable component allows the de-subjectification and thus, depowering
of heteronormative masculinity by the possible appropriation thereof by gay
men. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die performatiewe konstruksie en apropriasie van
heteronormatiewe manlikhede deur onderskydelik heteroseksuele en homoseksuele mans.
My belangstelling in manlikheid as ‘n kultureel gestruktureerde fantasie word uitgebrei
om ‘n begeerte vir manlikheid te impliseer. Die idee van manlike begeerte word verder
ontwikkel deur ‘n moontlike (homo)seksuele begeerte vir die heteronormatiewe
uitbeelding van manlikheid aan te dui.
Deur die artifisiële en materiële kwaliteite van die veronderstelde stabiele fallus te
beklemtoon, word die ondeurdringbare hegemonie van manlike strukture, soos dit
voorkom in die cowboy en liggamsbouer, verander in die penetreerbare penis as objek
van die manlike (male) ‘gaze’. Ek konsentreer op die fetisering van heteroseksuele
manlike tekens in ‘physique’ fotografie ten einde hierdie skuiwing in die manlike ‘gaze’
te demonstreer.
Manlikheid as ‘n (ont)hegbare komponent veronderstel die de-subjektivisering, en dus
ontmagtiging van heteronormatiewe manlikheid deur die moontlike appropriasie daarvan
deur gay mans.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21758
Date03 1900
CreatorsSchlechter, Willem Philippus George
ContributorsCostandius, Elmarie, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Visual Arts.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format71 leaves : ill.
RightsStellenbosch University

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