Essays by Academics and Thinkers
RHK has been an avid supporter of contemporary artists since its founding in 1964 and continues this tradition by commissioning and publishing essays that explore themes related to contemporary art from various perspectives. These essays are meant for a general audience but also serve a pedagogical function, giving readers insight into how different disciplines analyze artistic expression and culture. Written by leading thinkers, RHK's essays provide a unique perspective on cultural phenomena such as gender, race, sexuality, class, identity, power, and technology. Here is a selection of recent articles.
Erotic Power by Laura Mulvey
In her essay "Erotic Power," feminist film critic Laura Mulvey explores why it can be difficult to define pornography. She argues that while traditional definitions focus on sexual pleasure or explicitness, the real purpose of pornographic images is to reinforce patriarchal power structures. To illustrate her point, she examines the classic Hollywood film Double Indemnity (1944), which depicts a wealthy man seducing his female assistant before killing her husband. Although the film does not feature any graphic sex scenes, Mulvey argues that it still promotes patriarchy because it presents male domination as natural and even desirable. Mulvey ends with a plea for viewers to question the messages they receive from media and culture, including those in erotic films.
Identity by bell hooks
In her essay "Black Looks: Race and Representation," writer and activist bell hooks discusses how black people are portrayed in popular culture. Hooks challenges the idea that blackness is synonymous with poverty and criminality, pointing out that this stereotype has been used to justify slavery, lynching, and other forms of racial violence. Instead of presenting blacks as victims, hooks calls for representation that recognizes their humanity, dignity, and agency. Hooks's essay resonates beyond race; it urges us to see people as individuals rather than categories.
Digital Intimacy by Sherry Turkle
Technology researcher Sherry Turkle investigated the effects of digital communication on interpersonal relationships in her article "Alone Together." She interviewed teenagers who spend hours each day online and found that they feel more connected to their friends but less able to communicate face-to-face. Turkle worries that this trend will lead to a generation of people who have difficulty relating to others in person. This article highlights the complicated relationship between technology and society, which can both enhance and threaten our bonds.
RHK invites academics, psychologists, and cultural theorists to contribute articles that explore these and other topics through artistic expression. Whether examining power dynamics or the impact of technology, RHK's essays offer unique perspectives on contemporary issues.
Please use APA citation format (author's last name, year) when citing sources. For example: (Mulvey, 2018).