H. Cassils' "Cuts: A Traditional Sculpture," and Your First Paper Prompt

Hi all,

For Thursday, please read the article and watch the video by H. Cassils, entitled "Cuts: A Traditional Sculpture." You can access both the article and the video here:

H. Cassils: "Cuts: A Traditional Sculpture"

As always, it will be very helpful if you take notes on the particulars/points of gravity for these pieces.

I've put the description for the first paper below, so you'll always have a way to access it.

FIRST PAPER PROMPT

So far, we’ve been concentrating on portrayals and illustrations of “health” and “perfection” that allow us to question how these states are defined: Patrick Bateman and Raymond H. of “Hard Bodies” use routine workouts and wealth to project a social persona; Roxanne Edwards uses steroids and bodybuilding to achieve a “peeled” physique; through weightlifting, Kathy Acker is able to control the “failure” of her muscles to both create strength, and remain aware of her body as something which will inevitably end; and for H. Cassils, achieving a body that cannot be clearly categorized as either male or female is the objective. Do these bodies challenge the notion of "health"? Or do these bodies align with the notion of "health"? IN WHAT WAYS?

Pick AT LEAST TWO examples of excessive bodies that we've talked/read about so far.

Here are some questions to consider and discuss as you make your decision: 
What factors are most important in clearly defining the state of "health"? Is there a form of "health" that applies to everyone?

What reasons do these people give for working their bodies?

What is the relationship between a spectator (i.e., you) who looks at images of these people, and the people themselves?

Do these people's activities have private (individual only to them) repercussions, or public (affecting a wider social audience) repercussions?

Available sources:

American Psycho- Mary Herron, dir. Christian Bale, performer

"Hard Bodies"-Stuart Ewen
"Against Ordinary Language: The Language of the Body" by Kathy Acker

"Roxanne Edwards is Superhuman"- Roxanne Edwards, S. Adrian Massey (interviewer)

"Cuts: A Traditional Sculpture"-Heather Cassils

"Bodybuilding"- Brian Finke (access that HERE)

Your paper should be 3-5 pages, in 12 pt font, using MLA citation.

ROUGH DRAFT DUE Thursday, 2/11

FINAL DRAFT DUE Tuesday, 2/23

Any questions, email me.

See you Thursday,

Greenlee