Toda nudez será castigada?: sentidos construídos a partir do uso do corpo nu da mulher em performances ativistas

Abstract

This research intend to relate gender and communication from the perspective of feminist performances supported by the use of the naked body of women in actions of social activism, linked or generated in the internet environment and that propose a discussion conserning the violence against women. The work starts from the understanding that the use of the body in these actions of activism or social mobilization generate differentiated flows communication and construct different senses that reflect and are reflected in the cultural processes of the society. In this way, the research searches, through a cartographic experience, to map actions with the use of the naked body of the woman by feminist movements or activists and that found in the internet the space of expansion and dissemination of these actions, revealing the senses that emerge from these performances. The object here is understood as object/process, because the actions have multiple shades, intensities and reliefs, being something in constant movement. The methodology consists, besides the cartography, the focal groups realization, that allowed a more accurate perception of the object/process in online and offline dimensions. The theoretical maps focused mainly on the studies of gender from the post structuralism view (Butler, Scott, Louro) and communication from the perspective of cultural studies, and with the challenge of thinking also from the materialities of communication (Gumbrecht), including discussions about body and performance. In addition, an approach to feminist movements and the current context of women in society make up the study. The results point to three main strands of constructed meanings, which are constantly crossed by issues related to women and historical guidelines of the feminist movement: 1) the shock of perfomance or nudity "out of context"; 2) the discussion about what belongs to the woman and 3) the effective social mobilization for the cause (my body, my rules!). It is possible to affirm that activism sees in these actions a way of dislocating or questioning the use of female nudity in advertising and consumption, attracting attention to the pattern of violence against women, and reinforcing affirmations about women as owners of their own bodies. In addition, it contributes to question the cultural issues marked by machismo and patriarchal heritage. On the other hand, some constructed senses point to the maintenance of the existing culture and discourses centered on norms and standards established for men and women.