We invite proposals for contributions to an edited collection on cinematic representations of women in works of art, poetry, fiction, theater and criticism of the avant-garde. The popularization of film stars such as Blanche Sweet, Mae Marsh, Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo and Brigitte Helm shaped the cultural imaginary of modernity to such an extent that they influenced the creative activity of artists and writers in the years 1900-1950. Questions centering on feminine stardom will set the background of this collection of essays examining the intersections of vanguardism with popular culture, publicity and performance. How are images of femininity circulated and consumed by the spectators of the cinematic medium? What position do the so-called high and low art forms take with regards to the presence of women in cinema celebrity culture? To what extent do stereotypical conceptions of feminine beauty reflect male ways of seeing, interpreting and writing?  We are interested in expanding the conversation to aesthetic, political, historical and cultural analyses from a perspective that integrates the written word and the animated image into constructions of femininity. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Filmic types and stereotypes of femininity

Critical approaches to the male gaze

Fetishism and idolatry of women in cinema culture

Fashion, modernity and the commodification of feminine cinematography

The muse versus the male artist

Gender performativity, mass media and promotional value

Women stars in Hollywood and the independent film industry

Ekphrasis, iconology and iconography of feminine acting

Intersections of verbal and cinematic images of power, gender identity and race  

Feminist theory and aesthetics of motion pictures

Abstracts of 300-500 words along with a 150-word bio should be emailed to María Cristina C. Mabrey (Professor Emerita, University of South Carolina) at rriopar@gmail.com and Leticia Pérez Alonso (Assistant Professor, Jackson State University) at leticia.p.alonso@jsums.edu no later than April 7th, 2020. We will notify authors of the acceptance by April 13th, 2020. Chapters (approximately 6,000-7,000 words, including notes and bibliography) will be due by September 18th, 2020.