MANSPREAD

LYDIA GARLEY 2023

MANSPREAD

(noun) The practice whereby a man, especially one travelling on public transport, adopts a sitting position with his legs wide apart, in such a way as to encroach on an adjacent seat or seats.

Manspread presents the absence of femininity within public spaces and the private realm, exploring the removal of features to highlight the invisible woman. The concept explores spaces where women feel silenced, expressed through abstract masks constructed out of household materials, to remove identity and expression. The combination of styling and materials portray a glimpse of the emotions women experience in regards to sexist behavior, visualizing the metaphor of being suppressed and suffocated by standards. After asking a variety of different women to explain a moment in their life where they experienced sexism and how they felt in regards to that, I uncovered the main areas of concern. Dissected into three main parts; how social standards affect the perception of women’s appearances, the gender expectations within household roles as well as the judgments that come with being a housewife, and the lack of equal respect within the workplace. The materials act as if they are consuming the woman beneath, removing their self identity and physically attaching them to stereotypes projected onto them. A theme throughout is a phrase that was said by many of the women involved in the interview.

“Made me feel like I shouldn’t be there”.

Well, darling, it appears that you may not be aware of a term known as “mansplaining.” Allow me to educate you, you see, it’s when a man feels the need to explain something to a woman, assuming that she is not knowledgeable enough to understand the subject matter. It can also refer to when when a man interrupts a woman or talks over her in a conversation, disregarding her input or opinions. The term highlights the tendency of men to assert their authority or superiority over women, especially in situations where gender dynamics are at play. It can also take the form of a man explaining something to a woman in a simplified or basic manner, as if she needs the information broken down to her level. One of the primary reasons why mansplaining persists is that it is often rooted in deep-seated gender biases and stereotypes that are ingrained in our culture. Men are often socialized to be more assertive and confident, while women are expected to be more submissive and deferential. But don’t worry, I’m sure with a little more experience and education, you’ll eventually come to grasp the concept.

Expectations of the female appearance are firrmly set within society, but each standard contradicts the other. If you wear revealing clothes you’re attention seeking, yet if you wear modest clothes you’re accused of being a prude. By wearing fashionable clothes you’re trying too hard yet if you wear casual clothing you’re unkempt. You wear makeup? I’m afraid you don’t love and embrace your natural features. Don’t wear any? You look tired, are you feeling alright? Keep your hair long and luscious but if there’s any on your body you’re unhygienic. If you shave you clearly want male attention.

The ‘perfect’ woman doesn’t exist, but almost every woman globally will be criticised and lectured about expectations and restrictions surrounding her own appearance, for her entire life.

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