Monday, April 16, 2012

Pin Up History - Unraveling Where and How it all Started


Summary:

            The average “pretty girl” was used in calendars, advertisements, and pinned up on walls during the 1930s. This time has been considered when “the art of seduction blossomed” (Warzecha). George Petty’s work in Esquire magazine truly kindled the talk of Pin-Up girls. His art “consisted mostly of girls being ogled and accosted by unlikely suitors” (Warzecha). When looking in calendars, magazine covers, and matchbooks, one may find famous artworks essentially created by George Petty and Gil Elvgren. A decent amount of the actresses that we know of today actually began as pinups with their photos. Movies were then created about pinup models and artists around the time of World War II (a very popular era for pinups) (Warzecha).
The pinup craze died down around 1960. “Cheesecake art became lost within the sea of sex industry. This was the time when pin up photos have become even more realistic and unambiguous” (Warzecha). Pinups are making a comeback today and people are beginning to appreciate the beauty and mystery a Pin-Up girl emanates.
An interesting new term is now being used to describe male pinups, “beefcake.” The reason being it gives off a more masculine feel rather than “cheesecake,” which is another name for a female pinup (not as common).
           
           

Analysis:

            Pinups began with the typical pretty girl used for advertising and led to much more with works created by talented artists such as George Petty and Gil Elvgren. Pinups began to become the epitome of seduction during World War II. A unique point about pinups is an alternate name they are sometimes referred to as, that being “cheesecake.” It’s cute that this term has been altered in today’s society to fit people’s idea of what they consider to be a “male” pinup.

Reflection Questions:

1.      When did men begin being considered as a pinup?

2.      Why is the term “cheesecake” not as common as “pinup”?


Warzecha, S. (n.d.). Pin up history - unraveling where and how it all started... Retrieved from http://www.pinuppassion.com/PinUp-History.html

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