Queer aesthetics is an approach to art that celebrates diverse identities and challenges societal norms. It involves creating art that subverts traditional ideas about gender roles, sexuality, race, class, and more. Color and excess are central to queer aesthetics because they challenge the monochrome and minimalist approaches that often dominate visual culture. In this essay, I will explore how color and excess can redefine moral expressions of joy, vitality, and defiance through examples from contemporary art.
Moral Expressions of Joy
Joy is a key element of queer aesthetics, which rejects the idea that happiness must be tied to heteronormative ideals. Queer artists like Robert Mapplethorpe and David Hockney have used bright colors to depict LGBTQ+ love and pleasure. Their work shows that queerness is not just about sadness or suffering, but also about joyful intimacy and connection. By embracing color and excess, these artists create spaces where queer people can express their emotions without shame or stigma.
In his photographs "Study for Portrait of an Angel" (1980) and "The Couple" (1984), Mapplethorpe uses vivid colors and bold lighting to capture the sensuality and vulnerability of male-male relationships. Similarly, Hockney's paintings such as "Painting with Green and Blue II" (1965) use vibrant hues to portray same-sex desire. These works show that joy can be expressed openly and unapologetically within queer communities.
Vitality
Vitality refers to the energy and enthusiasm that drives creativity and activism. Queer artists often incorporate vibrancy into their work to celebrate life, resistance, and resilience.
Artist Derek Jarman incorporates neon lights and pop culture references in his films, like in "Jubilee" (1978). The film features a cast of transgender characters who use punk fashion and music to challenge societal norms. Jarman also painted the walls of his London home with bright pink and blue to defy conservative aesthetics. Similarly, artist David Wojnarowicz used bright colors in his photographs and collages to evoke vitality and rebellion. His work reflects on AIDS and queer identity, subverting the idea that sickness should be hidden away. By embracing color and excess, these artists create spaces where LGBTQ+ people can express themselves freely and passionately.
Defiance
Defiance is an essential part of queer aesthetics because it challenges society's expectations of gender roles and sexuality. Artists like Carrie Mae Weems have used color and excess to critique white supremacy and patriarchy. Her series "From Here I Saw What Happened And I Cried" (1995) depicts black women as powerful figures who resist oppression through strength, beauty, and self-expression. These images show how queerness can be a form of resistance against systems that try to suppress it. Another example is painter Kehinde Wiley, who paints Black men and women in grandiose, regal poses inspired by European portraiture. His work challenges the idea that only certain bodies are worthy of being displayed or admired. By rejecting traditional forms of representation, these artists create spaces for marginalized voices to thrive.
Queer aesthetics of color and excess offer new ways of understanding moral expressions of joy, vitality, and defiance. They challenge societal norms and open up spaces for diverse identities to be celebrated. Through their use of vibrant colors, bold lighting, and experimental techniques, these artists redefine what it means to be alive, happy, and proud. Their works inspire hope, resilience, and empowerment, creating new possibilities for queer communities around the world.
How can queer aesthetics of color and excess redefine moral expressions of joy, vitality, and defiance?
Queer aesthetics of color and excess have the potential to redefine moral expressions of joy, vitality, and defiance by promoting self-expression and celebrating diversity. The focus on body positivity and inclusivity can challenge traditional notions of beauty and sexuality, while highlighting the unique experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities.