Draft Proposal

For my exhibition, I thought about creating 6 images in Illustrator and Photoshop. Inspired by the 5 stages of grief, I wanted to explore how men aren't allowed to feel sad, which leads to depression and then suicide. The first 2 would represent anger, which is the first emotion they are allowed to express. The second image would show the anger burning out, like a fire extinguished by rain. The next 2 images would showcase his sadness taking over. The final two images would show him committing suicide, and the message is that men must not hide their sadness alone. I would be using mostly cool colors as primary, and warm colors as secondary, while using the gradient scale as well. I would show this at an art gallery at NJCU.

 

This exhibition focuses on the double standards men face in society when it comes to emotions relating to sadness. As such, due to this, men often use anger as an outlet when they aren't allowed to express it. After the fire, in their anger is all gone, however, they would then express sadness alone by themselves, and after such release, force themselves to get over it and move on. This art piece is based on the fact that men haven't had a chance to deconstruct more of masculinity beyond the label of toxic masculinity, which we all know by now. We know that toxic masculinity is bad, but calling out people for doing bad behavior isn't enough.

 

There needs to be a way for men to have a healthy way of redefining masculinity. But I came to realize that for this to work, I have to start removing labels of femininity and masculinity since it has gender stereotype connotations. It also helps since men should not be ashamed of anything feminine, whether that's liking to dance, tea parties, or anything else of that matter. That goes for women not feeling ashamed of anything masculine. The best for both parties is to not use the label masculine or feminine since it would cause shame for both genders.

 

Most importantly men should be allowed to be emotional instead of the stoic statue of an symbol or ideal that others should strive towards with no weakness. It is also important that men should not be pressured to start dating or hitting up women early for validation of other men as your entire self-worth. This often really bothers me the most because why would you talk to female strangers that you don't know just for the sake of getting laid like collecting trophies that defines your worth as a man. Even if you have female friends you are still pressured by other guys to date them or else you would be labeled as being friend zoned while mocking your worth as a man. It's ridiculous, which is why I not only want to bring awareness for the double standards of men but also educate others to land a hand while for men be ok with asking for help without shame.