Lady bits

Abstract

In this thesis, the focus is on issues of identity, feminism, notions of beauty, the gendered body, and performance. I created an alter ego Lily de L'Etoile based on the Jewish Mythology of Lilith, to act as the performer in this work. Through the use of photography, video and performance I explore the notion that one's identity is formed and affected by outside factors, such as the media, and pop culture. I look at how these outside factors affect one's self-perception and permeate our lives. Key artists discussed in dialog with this work are Joan Jonas, Cindy Sherman, Libby Rowe, Orlan and Yasamasa Morimura. Judith Butler's concept of gender performativity is addressed in the work. Ideas brought up in third wave feminism by Naomi Wolf and Jessica Valenti are discussed in regards to feminism and beauty.