GAYSGAZE

“GAYSGAZE” comprises two sets of neon words that flash intermittently between “GAYS” and “GAZE” and is an ironic comment on the appropriation of  traditionally gay concerns (such as body culture and mens grooming) by the heterosexual community and the ongoing  perception of male homosexuality as the binary “Other” to male heterosexuality.

The straight/gay binary plays out similarly to the male/female binary with heterosexual maleness perceived as normal and dominant whilst femininity and homosexuality are perceived as less than or supplementary. These binaries are problematic for all concerned as they reinforce a hierachical structure and support binary oppositions such as strong and weak, active and passive and rational and emotional. As such they enforce strict codes of practice and what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour, emotion, thought or action.