"Calendar Girl" and Pin-Up Culture
Throughout history, few things have been more controversial than sexuality. This is especially true for women. No matter what the medium, a sexual woman will be questioned and accused of her conduct. After generations of this attitude, society has begun to view women as sexual objects. Society attempts to control the sexualization of women through what they wear, how they interact with others, and even what they eat. Anyone that defies the construct of this virtuous and modest woman is marked by society as being "other". This is why Buszek describes the pin-up as being grotesque and frightening, a sort of "monster beauty". A pin-up girl with overt sexualization easily surpasses society's tolerances, and while this can be overwhelming, it also shows off the beauty of the human body and makes a case for sexual freedom. A woman who poses for a pin-up does so out of her own free will, and every woman that sees a pin-up is given a taste of sexual freedom and assurance that being both sexual and beautiful is attainable and acceptable. It is also important to remember that pin-ups are not inherently pro-sex and are not by themselves representatives of sex. Rather, as Buszek writes, they politely suggest it. They make looking monstrously beautiful okay. Pin-ups make women into sexual subjects as opposed to sexual objects, and that important for both men and women to see.
The following image is entitled "Calendar Girl" and was drawn by Al Moore in 1950. Its subject is a blonde woman wearing a pink corset with matching accessories. She sits with crossed legs next to a sword and mask. I find it interesting that Moore included these. The image would be completely different without them. The sword gives the woman power, and the mask gives her protection. Still, even with the tools to do some serious damage, the woman is unscathed. Her skin is free from any battle scars, and her makeup is flawless. She even seems to have a bit of an annoyed look on her face. Whatever she is looking at doesn't appear to be worth her time. She radiates with confidence and while her beauty and pose may sexually suggestive, they give her the power. She has more power than anyone who looks upon her, yet her femininity still shines through. This is what pin-ups are all about. They empower women and they show all people that a woman is not a sexual object.
The following image is entitled "Calendar Girl" and was drawn by Al Moore in 1950. Its subject is a blonde woman wearing a pink corset with matching accessories. She sits with crossed legs next to a sword and mask. I find it interesting that Moore included these. The image would be completely different without them. The sword gives the woman power, and the mask gives her protection. Still, even with the tools to do some serious damage, the woman is unscathed. Her skin is free from any battle scars, and her makeup is flawless. She even seems to have a bit of an annoyed look on her face. Whatever she is looking at doesn't appear to be worth her time. She radiates with confidence and while her beauty and pose may sexually suggestive, they give her the power. She has more power than anyone who looks upon her, yet her femininity still shines through. This is what pin-ups are all about. They empower women and they show all people that a woman is not a sexual object.
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