A close reading of this thread indicates I'm not promoting a narrow definition of the term "subliminal." I use the word to delineate the fact that a large part of what we experience (actually the largest part) is perceived unconsciously.
So it's not always about looking at an ad or any other piece of propaganda and discovering hidden messages or meanings. Many times it is simply the kind of implicit messages that are being received., to wit: The many implicit messages relating to our perception of men and women.
The following story focuses on the "offensive to women" aspect of ads but an ad that is offensive to women is also offensive to men. Stereotypical males are often portrayed in the ads and the woman-as-sex-object theme objectifies male sexuality as well. All in all though, the story plus the photos accompanying it are illuminating.
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I was reading an article on MSNBC.com (
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17490782/site/... /)on Dolce & Gabbana having to pull some of their ads because womens' groups thought they were inappropriate and, one in particular, promoted rape. Knowing D&G as I do, I've seen their ads through the years and don't think much of them because, well, it's D&G - their ads follow along in the mode of Helmut Newton and other "risque" photographers. Or am I being too tolerant? I'm not really sure.
As I read further in the article, there's also an interview with Kim Gandy of NOW and a link to the ads they promote as "Offensive To Women" (
http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/offe... ). Now, I'm all for more realistic models being used in advertising and fashion and don't like blatantly abusive ads - but I'm not sure I'm offended by each of these ads. I'm going to hold off saying anything more specific until others have weighed in - and that's my question: are these ads really offensive?
I would certainly say that some are stupid - and, yes, the Calvin Klein ad just makes me want to feed her. But, beyond that, are you offended by these ads? Is it really about ads that are offensive against women or more about the fact that, for the most part, Madison Ave. treats us like we're drooling morons? I've seen some advertising that might be pretty offensive to men too (including a similar one with all men from D&G). Are they getting upset over nothing? Or over the wrong thing? Or are they correct in labeling these as offensive? I'm curious to see what other women (and men too!) think.
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The images can be found here:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/AZBlue/6