Deconstructing Current Representations of Queer Masculinity in Media Through Art-Based Self Study and Interview-Based Research
Ian Koopman
This thesis by Ian Koopman was conducted as a part of Pratt ADE's capstone class, Curating Learning.
Curating Learning showcases the work of ADE seniors at the culmination of the program as they curate their experiences as artists, cultural producers, and learners. The research projects and related artworks created, emphasize student interdisciplinary connections and reflections on how knowledge is constructed and facilitated through teaching, learning, and curating.
Students integrate theory and practice through reflection and research in the field of art and design education. Students develop their voices as emerging professionals as they synthesize their learning in studio, liberal arts, art and design education, and pre-service teaching as well as co-curricular experiences in both formal and informal settings. Working across media and informed by their own research they created projects that ultimately highlight their perspective on integrating their learning across the studio, classroom, and community.
Curating Learning showcases the work of ADE seniors at the culmination of the program as they curate their experiences as artists, cultural producers, and learners. The research projects and related artworks created, emphasize student interdisciplinary connections and reflections on how knowledge is constructed and facilitated through teaching, learning, and curating.
Students integrate theory and practice through reflection and research in the field of art and design education. Students develop their voices as emerging professionals as they synthesize their learning in studio, liberal arts, art and design education, and pre-service teaching as well as co-curricular experiences in both formal and informal settings. Working across media and informed by their own research they created projects that ultimately highlight their perspective on integrating their learning across the studio, classroom, and community.
Artist Statement
Ian Koopman
Thesis: Deconstructing Current Representations of Queer Masculinity in Media Through Art-Based Self Study and Interview-Based Research
Art-Based Study: The Fellowship Project
Chalk pastel pencil
4 pieces, 6x8 in. each
03/2021
This work centers around the politics of representation. In today’s climate, I wanted to see more positive representations of queer men like myself, so I decided to make those representations happen. This project revolves around people who identify in some way as queer men and their self representation as well as representation by other people. The impetus of these works centered around my experience as a queer man navigating social media, and the negative representations of MLM (men loving men) that I began to see emerging in queer circles. By creating naturalistic representations of queer men that I knew, I was looking to create truthful and positive representations of them. This art project also launched me into research around the politics of representation in general. My research was focused around the following questions: How do the representations of queer people in popular media impact the outlooks of queer men around their gender, sexuality, and comfortability in regards to their gender presentation? How are queer men shown and represented in popular media, if they are represented at all? How can creating my own representations of queer men impact that canon? How does queer men seeing themselves represented impact their outlooks on themselves and on queer men in general?
I allowed participants, partially because of the virtual environments I have been working in, to select their own reference photos to send to me so they were in complete control of their own representation. I encouraged full body photos showing their faces, in whatever state of dress (nude or clothed) felt most comfortable to them. Through allowing participants the ability to self determine their modes of representation, they were given agency to appear how they wanted others to see them.
Working on this project allowed me to feel like I was giving my participants a chance to see themselves in a way they may not have before, and I felt empowered to become a vehicle to give these men agency and joy in their identities and their bodies.
Through my research, I learned that there is not enough representation of queer men and queer people in general in popular media, and the few representations that exist are often negative. Having more confirmed queer characters, with real queer people consulting on their representation, would make queer men feel less isolated. This representation, rather than being hyperspecific in terms of identity, would benefit from being more vague so that a larger audience can relate to these characters. Purposefully gender nuetral or gender inclusive forms of representation, along with representation of queer-specific feelings and experiences, also allow for queer people to create spaces for themselves within media they consume.
In regards to how this impacts my teaching practice, representation and agency are some of the most important aspects of a healthy art classroom environment. Through understanding, and showing children, multiple modes of representation, and creating a purposefully gender neutral and gender inclusive classroom, I can empower them to see the world through empathetic eyes. Through giving my students agency, I can empower them to trust themselves and think for themselves in creative environments and in life.
Thesis: Deconstructing Current Representations of Queer Masculinity in Media Through Art-Based Self Study and Interview-Based Research
Art-Based Study: The Fellowship Project
Chalk pastel pencil
4 pieces, 6x8 in. each
03/2021
This work centers around the politics of representation. In today’s climate, I wanted to see more positive representations of queer men like myself, so I decided to make those representations happen. This project revolves around people who identify in some way as queer men and their self representation as well as representation by other people. The impetus of these works centered around my experience as a queer man navigating social media, and the negative representations of MLM (men loving men) that I began to see emerging in queer circles. By creating naturalistic representations of queer men that I knew, I was looking to create truthful and positive representations of them. This art project also launched me into research around the politics of representation in general. My research was focused around the following questions: How do the representations of queer people in popular media impact the outlooks of queer men around their gender, sexuality, and comfortability in regards to their gender presentation? How are queer men shown and represented in popular media, if they are represented at all? How can creating my own representations of queer men impact that canon? How does queer men seeing themselves represented impact their outlooks on themselves and on queer men in general?
I allowed participants, partially because of the virtual environments I have been working in, to select their own reference photos to send to me so they were in complete control of their own representation. I encouraged full body photos showing their faces, in whatever state of dress (nude or clothed) felt most comfortable to them. Through allowing participants the ability to self determine their modes of representation, they were given agency to appear how they wanted others to see them.
Working on this project allowed me to feel like I was giving my participants a chance to see themselves in a way they may not have before, and I felt empowered to become a vehicle to give these men agency and joy in their identities and their bodies.
Through my research, I learned that there is not enough representation of queer men and queer people in general in popular media, and the few representations that exist are often negative. Having more confirmed queer characters, with real queer people consulting on their representation, would make queer men feel less isolated. This representation, rather than being hyperspecific in terms of identity, would benefit from being more vague so that a larger audience can relate to these characters. Purposefully gender nuetral or gender inclusive forms of representation, along with representation of queer-specific feelings and experiences, also allow for queer people to create spaces for themselves within media they consume.
In regards to how this impacts my teaching practice, representation and agency are some of the most important aspects of a healthy art classroom environment. Through understanding, and showing children, multiple modes of representation, and creating a purposefully gender neutral and gender inclusive classroom, I can empower them to see the world through empathetic eyes. Through giving my students agency, I can empower them to trust themselves and think for themselves in creative environments and in life.
Deconstructing Current Representations of Queer Masculinity in Media Through Art-Based Self Study and Interview-Based Research
This is the thesis paper that is the culmination of my research.
Deconstructing Current Representations of Queer Masculinity in Media Presentation
This is a presentation that will walk you through the basics of my research.