Physiognomy is the assessment of a person's character or personality from his or her outer appearance, especially the face.
The closer to the vertical your brow, chin and nose is then the more intelligent you are. It is used to legitimise racism with stereotypical facial features.
Cesare Lombroso founder of Positivist Criminology - the notion that criminal tendencies are inherited.
Chris Ofili, Holy Virgin Mary 1996
Huge uproar at the audacity that the Virgin mary may have been black.
Pre Modern Identity - personal identity is stable - defined by long standing roles.
Institutions determined identity for example church, marriage etc... You are stuck in your identity. If you are a farm worker then you work for the land gentry, If you are a housewife you are entered into a patriarchy society.
Modern Identity - modern societies begin to offer a wider range of social roles. The immergance of modern identities. In the 19th and early 20th Century. Charles Baudelaire - The painter of Modern Life (1863) He introduces the concept of 'flaneur' our translation of that is the gentleman-stroller. Ending in 'eur' showing its a mans world, he never writes about a female version.
Veblen - ' Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure' Being obvious with your spending, showing wealth and your class. Having a MAC showing wealth that you can afford one.
Simmel - Trickle down theory is an economic phenomenon whereby low-income groups benefit indirectly from the accumulation of wealth of those having higher incomes; that is, the income is said to "trickle down" from the rich to the poor. This phenomenon happens as a result of economic growth. For example, the rich make investments to enhance their wealth, and those investments can generate new jobs. In sociology the trickle-down effect defines the process by which the lower class emulates the lifestyle of the upper class in an effort to elevate its status. We notice what they are wearing and mimic them so that we also seem rich, they then change their outfits and we follow.
It is now thought to be a bubble up theory. For example poorer people having ripped jeans out of necessity, Then designer brands creating ripped jeans.
Post Modern Identity - 'Discourse Analysis' Identity is constructed out of the discourse culturally available to us.
Possible Discourses - age, class, race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
Humphrey Spender/ Mass Observation, Worktown Project 1937. Posh Londoners who decide to document life. They go to Bolton. They don't need to work, they can just go and observe peoples lives it shows how wealthy they are.
Interior of the pub the guy is not saying hello he is warning them to leave.
A screen showing of A midsummers nights dream could be seen that actually they arent that cultured by the amount of empty seats.
Two Children look like they are playing but it is actually chicken feet - implying playing with leftovers from last nights dinner, not many toys etc...
Martin Parr, Ascot
The lower class pretending to fit in with the upper class.
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