Mythical Bodies, Colonial Ideologies

Résumé du livre

Despite numerous studies on dancer/singer/actress Josephine Baker's performances, few investigate how "Josephine Baker" existed as a visual signifying system. I address that gap by applying Roland Barthes' theory of myth to Baker, situating her image within what Michel Foucault would call photographic and spectatorial "truth." In this project, I argue that public visual representations of Josephine Baker's body constituted a mythical space for the enactment of French colonial ideology, and investigate four representations of her body: painted/drawn representations, her banana skirt, her hair, and her residence/resort Les Milandes. I close with reflections on shy Baker's image remains relevant today.