Download
1 / 14
161 likes | 1.05k Views
Fetish: How Objects Take on Irrational Meaning Cameron Kippen, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/fetish.html#good. Origins of “Fetish”.
E N D
Fetish: How Objects Take on Irrational MeaningCameron Kippen, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WAhttp://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/fetish.html#good
Origins of “Fetish” • Originally the word was thought to come from Portuguese "feitico" and derived from the Latin, "factitius" or "facere", to do or to make • as in an artefact or talisman • inanimate or animate [e.g., a cross], often religious • By the 19th century, the term had been extended to refer to anything which was irrationally worshipped. • In the 19th century the term “fetish” became associated with sex and the attraction of certain portions of the female body (ankles, breasts, buttocks, hair, etc.) or specific articles of female attire (corset, shoes, etc.) • Generally, a fetish is an object whose meaning has become separate from its use-value (Marx).
Advertising imbues objects with fetish properties • I.e., the value is separate from use-value.
Fetish is culturally relative.Example: Some cultures have no fetish about feet, while others do barbaric things to them.
Causes of sexual fetish? • Ernest Becker argues fetishism is the lucky charm that eases anxieties about sexual performance. • Freud theorized that fetish was a male response to the fear of castration. • That which is taboo becomes a fixation and a fetish (underaged drinking, body parts covered by clothing, etc.) • Behaviourists suggest paraphilia begins through a process of conditioning. • - Sexual phobia, impotence or some other sexual dysfunction, which enforces individuals to seek alternative gratification. • Erotic childhood memory.
Marx: “The Fetishism of Commodities” • http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MODERN/FETISH.HTM • Marx: “A commodity 1 appears, at first sight, a very trivial thing, and easily understood. Its analysis shows that it is, in reality, a very queer thing, abounding in metaphysical subtleties . . .”
Assignments • Blog: Consider the class presentation on Fetish. What is your biggest fetish? What do you believe drives this irrational obsession? What are the mythologies that make the fetish appealing? Blog your thoughts.
Short Essay • Write a short essay response (3-5 paragraphs): OPTION: Deconstruct diamonds or cars as a fetish (or choose another commodity). Historically, how did the diamond engagement ring tradition begin (or the car market begin)? Do some internet research. What drives our irrational obsession with these objects? What are the mythologies that make the fetishes appealing? Deconstruct visual images in advertisements, for example. If you’ve seen the movie Blood Diamonds, you might want to discuss it (including select visual imagery in the movie), or if you’ve seen car movies such as The Fast and The Furious, you might want to mention them and describe select visual imagery in the movie. What are your own attitudes about these commodities? Collect images that illustrate your points.
