Blog 2

Prompt 1: “12 corazones” which translates to “12 hearts” is a Spanish television show that shows gender expression. The purpose of the show is to try to match 3 men and women as couples. It begins with 12 women and 4 men. As the show starts, each woman is introduced. They show their body in a very sexualized manner. For example, they wear tight fitting clothes and try to flaunt their body to the audience. They end up all sitting in chairs in front of 4 men. The men are already sitting down when the women are introduced. In the middle of the show, both men and women are given “sensual” activities. It is supposed to be the moment in which they all try to get to know each other. Once that part is over, each men eliminate 1 woman and all the women come together to eliminate 1 man. They then proceed to try to match couples. Each woman is walked to the middle of the stage, flaunt their body once more, and asked if they see a man they like. If the answer is yes, the man chosen goes to the center of the stage and decides whether he “feels” the same as her. If he agrees, they kiss and take a seat towards the back as a “couple.” If the man disagrees, the woman is taken of the stage and it is assumed that he is “waiting” for another woman. If a man is already chosen, and another woman “likes” him, she can try to steal the man. The man is asked to go to the center one more time and chose between the woman he already is coupled with or trade her for the one in front of him.  The reason why I chose this artifact was because it portrays very traditional gender expressions. The women are seen as sexual objects and awaiting for the men to approve of them or not. At the same time, the men are given the power and authority over the women. They get to pick whether they want to be with them or not, they can trade them, and they can eliminate them. This does not empower women, instead it empowers men.

Promt 2: The cultural object in this scenario is the television show. The social world is contemporary as it is still a show that is on television. The receivers would be the people watching the show. As far as how many people it took to create the message that the show portrays, it takes 12 women, 4 men, the host (Penelope Menchaca), and the cohost (Maximiliano Palacio). A total of 18 people on the set every episode to convey the message. The 12 women and 4 men are the game players. The host is a woman whose job is to show and introduce the competing women. The cohost Maximiliano is shown as an astrologer, who gives hints and predictions as to the character of each individual and who might make a strong couple according to the zodiac. When watching the show, one of the very first things the viewer notices is the use of the color red. The walls are painted red, and heart shaped graphics start the show. The audience is shown, which are always clapping and seem excited to be there. The host, Penelope Menchaca, is wearing very tight fitting clothes and heels. She is always trying to get the crowd excited. There is background music, not too overpowering because the main attraction are the “players.” There are 12 stools, which is where the women sit and 4 sofa chairs, where the men sit. There is a middle well lit stage where the logo 12 corazones is on. In addition to the background music, the viewer listens to the host and the cohost talking as well as the audience clapping. During the “get to know each other activity” there is music playing, generally reggaeton. All the women in the show are dressed in revealing tight fitting clothes and the men are dressed either causal or dressy. As I watch this show and how the audience responds to it, I notice that the response is not negative. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Everyone is laughing and cheering, booing if one is eliminated. I can’t exclude myself from the audience. This show is entertaining. Looking at it from this perspective, I notice that if this behavior is cheered upon in a show, it must be accepted in society. The show invites the viewer to relate to each gender. If a woman is watching the show, they are invited to relate to the women competing or the women who is showing them off. Either way, they are both sexualized. If a man is watching the show, they are invited to relate to the men. The men in the show are portrayed as powerful and in charge. Television is the network in charge of creating the message of the show. They are sending this sexualized message because society accepts it. The women are never asked what their likes are, their hobbies, their intellectual appeals, instead, they are asked what they look for in a man. Men are asked the same, what they see in women and what they find appealing. This form of gender is accepted in our society, which is why Television is able to portray it.