Somehow the topics of a couple of the courses I’m taking this semester matched nicely. Besides GSWS, I’m also taking FPA 311, which has different topics each semester depending on who the instructor is. I was excited to hear Christine Stoddard is back as a sessional and is lecturing on “Feeling Queer: Affect and Contemporary Culture”. I had her as an instructor for FPA 111, which is the equivalent of introduction to art history. It was one of the most memorable classes, as it was the first time I was introduced to many big artist names which became familiar throughout the years at art school.
So after having gone to GSWS on Tuesday, I went to FPA311 with a predetermined definition of “queer” in my head… But that only confused things more. In 311, the term “queer” is not limited to just describing sexual orientation. It encompasses anything that means “odd”, “off”, or “strange”. It is due to this definition that so many people rejects the term. “Queer” isn’t “abnormal” (I use these terms loosely because I believe they are objective. In this case, “normal” means “accepted social norms”). So this label shouldn’t be used to describe anyone, no matter their orientation, because it could be interpreted as derogatory and demeaning.
But in the contemporary sense, the term expands to cover more grounds. And this is where I get tripped up… what is queer contemporary art? Why? How does it make us feel? That is what FPA311 is about. We’ll continue to examine and discuss this feeling of queer and the “affect” it brings… So I better screw my head on straight, and make sure I don’t confuse myself in these two classes!
Where's My Dime? 