LaQue

Kat Von D
 * This week in Women in Popular Culture, we discussed **Patriarchy As a System**. in the book //Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy//, author Allen Johnson states the four core values of a Patriarchal system are, "male dominance...male identified...control of women...and male centered" (pgs 5-14). Well discussed that both men and women choose to and how to participate. Most women participate by expecting patriarchal values, such as men taking control. Even if women are in control, there seems to always be men influencing in one way or the other.
 * Now, Kat Von D a.k.a. Katherine Von Drachenberg, seems to go against your typical female role in a patriarchal system. She does not appear to chose the path of least resistance. Kat has virtually her entire body tattooed. She also, wears your not so typical and revealing clothes to show off her body of art. Kat has opened an extremely successful tattoo parlor named High Voltage Tattoo in Los Angeles, which has been open since 2007.
 * Link to her being one of the "worst dressed" []

The **Worst Dressed** for the //2008 AMA// are //Ali Landry// (we’re not sure what look she was going for), //Carrie Ann Inaba// (*Platform Wedges?* thank goodness she has a talent… for Dancing), //Demi Lovato// (Cute girl, the dress did not fit her properly), //Kanye West// (really needs to go for SHARP, and we don’t mean the brand), //Kat Von D,// is one of those few women where tattoos look so nice on her, if only we could say the same thing about her clothes), //Leona Lewis// (the dress brought out all of her imperfections), //Queen Latifah// (looks like a silver stuffed sausage, the dress did nothing for her gorgeous curves), //Rihanna// (Women in maternity shouldn’t even think of wearing such a dress) //Sarah McLachlan// (were the black tights necessary?), //Sarah Silverman// (we love this funny lady, but her attire seems to always be a joke *no pun intended*).

=February 28, 2010=

The Princess and the Magic Kingdom: Beyond Nostalgia, the Function of the Disney Princess By: Rebecca-Anne C. Do Rozario
One might see Kat as the “Princess” of the LA Ink show. So, if you see Kat as the princess of the show then one way she goes against Do Rozario is that she does not do the typical little chores to make the shop run. She has hired people to do the little things such as cleaning, setting up and managing appointments, and making everything run smoothly. Rohrich stated, “...princesses who had to spin, wash, and mind the animals. These homely chores remained with the princess” (qtd. in Do Rozario pg 37). She is not the one to be doing the dirty grunt work. Marling stated, “...but the prince falls in love with her, able to see past the patched dress, wooden clogs...” (qtd in Do Rozario pg 37-38). Some might say that Kat does not dress like your “typical” princess, taking into consideration that it is modern day. She does not where nice blouses and slacks, rather she typically wears next to nothing, ripped up and see through clothes with wild and colorful hair. So even given the modern day times, she would be far from appearing like a princess or anyone of upper class. So despite what some people might see as terrible appearance, she is still able to fall in love with Nikki Sixx. He is able to see past her some what out there and crazy sense of style.

I also do not recall Kat’s father being mentioned throughout the show. On the other hand Kat has her mother’s portrait tattooed onto her arm and that has been examined in previous shows. There are several men working in the shop being the tattoo artists and one of her assistants is her brother, which also goes against Do Rozario to an extent even though her other assistant is her sister. So there is not just “the prince” being the main male in the show. There are more men than women playing there parts in the show. Kat also might be seen as the mother figure since her brother and sister work for her at High Voltage. Also, Corey, a tattoo artist and dear friend, might be seen as a sort of father figure to Kat in the shop life. Music also plays a part in the show, Dan and Corey, two tattoo artists, are also in bands. The show regularly shows Dan and his enrollment in his band. There have been many members of: H.I.M., My Chemical Romance, Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age, Guns N Roses, Rob Zombie, Testament, Mastadon, Slayer, Fireball Ministry, Greenday, Eve, The Distillers, The Mars volta, Goldfinger, Anthrax, Incubus, Misfits, Bleeding Through, A.B. Quintanilla, Metal Skool, Emerson Drive, 30 Second to Mars, Papa Roach and more tattooed on the show. So even though there is no one breaking out in song and dance, music is still a part of the show.

She also has dated many men and is not just limited ,so to say, to her one and only prince. Do Rozario states, “ The Disney Kingdom may still seem a man’s world, but it is a man’s world dependent on a princess” (pg 57). With out Kat there would really be no show at all and even if there still was a show if something were to happen to Kat, I really don’t think it would be the same. Kat in my eyes is the show and it would be nothing without her just like all the princesses in the Disney movies.

=March 7, 2010=

=Susan Murphy, Ginormica, and Gloria Steinem: Feminist Consciousness-Raising as Science Fiction in Monsters vs. Aliens By Holly Hassel=

====As mentioned in previous DreamWorks films there was a idea that “...women are portrayed as along for the ride, fussing over their support work of domestic labor and maintaining love relationships, providing something for men to fight over...” ( pg 3 qtd from Gender Knot by Johnson). Kat most definitely is not just along for the ride. She is not just one of the tattoo artists who sits back and takes orders. As the creator and owner of the shop she has the biggest say in what happens and has nearly all the control to make it happen. As far as fussing over the many things she has to do, this does happen from time to time. Like needing a shop manager to help relieve some of the stress from her. In many episodes you can clearly tell she is stressing out over the many roles she must play. Including running the shop, being one of the tattoo artists, her many side projects such as her perfume line, and lets not forget her love life. Maintaining a relationship with Nikki is not a large part of the show but is hinted at through out some episodes.====

====Holly Hassel stated, “Susan’s transformation is both literal and metaphorical, with feminist empowerment at the heart of it” (Hassel pg 4). When thinking of Kat based off of this statement, I think of how she popped into the lives of television viewers. Kat first appeared on television on the show “Miami Ink”, which stared all male tattoo artists. Kat was a guest or fill in artist rather than a show cased artist. She was the not a staring character and there was much tension between all the male artists and Kat. After being apart of Miami Ink for quite some time she decided that she could do what they were doing and do it her way. So, she left the show and took control of her career and opened the shop “High Voltage” which started the show “LA Ink”. So, by making all the moves she made she transformed into a stronger person who was not just an employee, but a business owner and entrepreneur. So even though she may have initially reenforced patriarchy, she now has stayed away from it.====

====LA Ink is quite different than many of the shows on todays networks. “...to prepare young girls for romantic love and heterosexual practices. Girls come to know their value lies in men’s desire for them and the characteristics and qualities that will assure their desirability are revealed in cultural storylines” (Hassel pg 5 qtd from Parsons). I think it’s fair to say that most people wouldn’t consider tattoos to make a girl desirable. Most people would say nice complexion, good clothes, education, correct body proportions. Kat does not exactly support the usual things that may be considered desirable, since she primarily supports tattoos. She defiantly supports the idea that it’s not how you look that makes you beautiful. Appearances do not mean everything. The people on LA Ink might be seen to some as social misfits, but to her it’s not their appearance that matters so much as who they are and what they are capable of.==== ==== Overall, I feel Kat's show, LA Ink, is a progressive and subversive show. In the text Professor Hassel states, "...subversive because it maximizes the potential... to challenge prevailing ideologies..." (3). Kat goes against what some might call "normal", by the way she acts and portrays her self. Tattoos cover just about her entire body. If tattoos are more accepted now, I still feel when people get them, they think they should be easily covered when needed. Not on full display like Kat. She also wears very skimpy and sheer/ see through clothes and has said she wears things like that to display her art work and be herself. Her multiple colored hair, tattooed face/body, and potty mouth defiantly go against the "norms" of society. ==== =**April 18, 2010**= =**"It's a Girl Thing": Tough Female Action Figures in the Toy Store by Sherrie A. Inness**= Kat has yet to come out with a “doll” or “action figure” for herself. I feel that she may be against it due to her personality and beliefs she shows on LA Ink. I think if and when she would come out with one, it would have to be very much her, not just what the makers thought would sell. I do not think she would let them make something that was disproportionate, overly sexualized, or no tattoos. If there was an action figure made for Kat I think it would stay very true to the way she really is. Which would be having as many and as realistic tattoos as there could be, her typically spandex pants with a ripped up band shirt, some neat lightening bolt accessories, and some crazy high heels.

When it comes to what a Kat action figures special ability would be, I think it might be rather obvious. I think her special ability might be something like tattooing some type of branding on the bad guys. Her accessories might include things like different outfits, her tattoo gun, maybe different colors of ink with the ability to actually go onto other dolls with out staining, possibly throwing stars shaped like lightening bolts, and her classic car.

If there were sidekicks that were produced as well, I feel they would be the other shop members. Corey might have the ability to play some kind of a mind game or a spell since he is the most wise on the show. Dan’s ability would be something evolving his electric guitar and the sound waves dropping villains to the ground.

Her villains may be produced as well. Paul might have the ability to drive his classic car faster. Aubry would have the ability to talk so much it would make Kat run if she could not shut her up. Amy would be the one who had special mid powers to, as being the enemy shops wisest artist, her and Corey would typically be paired against each other. The villains hide out would be the rival tattoo shop that all the “fired” employees have been hired at.

No longer would a parent just have to continue supporting how they grew up. Kat would be a very subversive action figure in her own right. I mean not only is she a women, but she would have tattoos and colored hair! Little girls could see that there is more out there than looking like a little “barbie” who likes pink, wants to shop, and have a boyfriend. It may be a small step but every step does count and who knows the Kat action figure might make as big of a hit as everything else she has done.

**May, 10**
 * Ella Evolving: Cinderella Stories and the Construction of Gender-Appropriate Behavior By Linda T. Parsons**

Parsons said “A primary goal of gender construction in patriarchal culture is to prepare young girls for romantic love and heterosexual practices. Girls come to know that their value lies in men’s desire for them, and the characteristics and qualities that will assure their desirability...” (pg 136). I think in some ways Kat enforces your typical heterosexual relationship. She clearly has been involved with several men and has never openly said anything about having any interest in women. Although she does not make men and romance the focus of her life. Kat has many business endeavors and has a huge responsibility to her shop, so having a man at her side is meant to help her in her life and not become the focus of it.

Kat’s show is not necessarily targeted for any particular age group or gender. “As children recognize themselves and their friends as well as their desires, struggles, and fears in fairy tales, they identify with the characters, especially when those characters reaffirm what they already know through cultural discourse.” (pg 136). In Kats show, kids can relate who aren’t your “typical child”. This show offers other scenarios in life that are not main stream and more taboo. Such as violence in the home, children at young ages, death of loved ones, drug addiction and recovery. These topics are not always discussed in a way that children, teens, and adults can relate to in most shows or texts. This show does a great job at having ways for everyone to relate to.

Although Kat is beautiful, she is also very wise and smart. Parson said, “...beauty determines a women’s value (Trousdale, 1995). In stories with a male protagonist, the helper often gives him strength, knowledge, or courage, while female protagonists are more frequently given beauty (Tatar, 1987).” (pg 137). In Kat’s show she some what combines these points from Parson. Kat is beautiful and yet her “helpers” are the ones who help give her strength to do many endeavors, knowledge in other areas of tattooing, and courage to continue expanding her career.

Parson quotes, “women who are powerful and good...and who have power or seek it, are nearly always portrayed as repulsive.” (pg 138). Kat is far from repulsive. She is powerful in her career and has a lot of power which increases all the time. Kat has a television show, a make up line, a brand of clothing, a perfume line, her own book, and a tattoo studio, all of which give her a substantial amount of power. The only people who could be considered as evil or just a person who causes problems in general, is Aubrey who is a blonde bombshell.

Kat has a huge support system of men and women. The High Voltage Studio has two members of her family (her brother and sister), other women and men as the artists, and of course her boyfriend Nikki Sixx. “Rather than being empowered through sisterhood and community, the heroines in traditional tales are most often isolated: intensifying their submissions and lack of power.” (pg 138). So, in this respect Kat is the opposite of this point. She literally has her sister by her side at all times as well as a huge community of people to help her in life.

**Challenging Notions of Gendered Game Play: Teenagers playing //The Sims//** **By Catherine Beavis and Claire Charles**

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Although Kat does not have a video game for the computer or for a gaming counsel yet, her show does provide an interesting approach for boys and girls. When girls watch High Voltage, it can almost be compared to a soap opera. Most females know what is going on, because they watch the show regularly. For those females who do not watch it regularly, this is one of the types of shows that you can pick up on at any point, but is much better when you know the history behind that current episode. As females watch the show, they can relate to Kat and her daily problems and if other people are around, most females will talk out loud about what is going on and how they feel about it. Girls will comment on hair styles of Kat and guests, they will talk about the drama with in the shop and how they can relate to it. For those who watch the show regularly and keep up with Kat’s life in the tabloids and other media, it can be very exciting to watch. They might get upset when they miss an episode and have other girl friends help them get caught up on the last episode.======

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When it comes down to the meat of the show, which is the actual tattoos and tattooing process, women love to see what is behind the tattoo. They enjoy hearing about why each person is getting their particular tattoo, wether it is for a loss of a loved one, a milestone in their life, or to commemorate a new experience. The show goes into quite a great detail to share not only the stories and lives of the cast members, but also the clients who are receiving the tattoos. Girls tend to like to comment on the tattoos and tell people around them what they do and do not like about each tattoo. They like to share what they would have done different or even “gossip” about the person who is getting the tattoo done.======

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Men who watch High Voltage don’t see it as something to continually watch and talk about. They don’t say much about the drama in the shop unless it’s to relate to the way a man is reacting. When it comes to the tattoos themselves, they tend to say more bold things like “thats gay” rather than telling what they like and don’t like about that particular tattoo. They seem to watch it simply to see the tattoos and not the stories behind them or the lives of the cast. I can see that there may be males in higher places of power controlling how exactly to produce the show, but overall I feel the show is more appealing to women.======

**“Saving the World Before Bedtime”:The Powerpuff Girls, Citizenship, and the Little Girls Superhero By Lisa Hager**

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A big point I saw in this article was the difference in the girls. Hager, “The Powerpuff Girls encourages identification with not just one but three different types of girls.” (pg 62). When it comes to Kat’s show, there a many different people with very different personalities to be able to relate to. Kat being the main star of the show has a rather out there personality. She has a huge passion for her tattoos and does everything she can to show them off. Hair colors are also a daily change for her. Her appearance is a way to help express herself rather then just conform and blend in. Loud, bold, and opinionated are three very good descriptors of Kat. Kore is one of Kat’s mentors and a fellow tattoo artist at High Voltage. He could easily be considered one of the most wise people there and is very quiet until something becomes very upsetting to him. Kat’s brother is your typical young girl crazy male and is very sincere. There are such a wide range of personalities in the main cast and in the clients who come in, that it would be very hard to not relate on some level to these people.=====

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Hager also says The Powerpuff Girls have a “strong sense of sisterhood and cooperation...”(pg 64). In the first couple of seasons Kat’s show consisted mainly of all women who were extremely strong women. They all made up the beginning High Voltage Tattoo family. In later seasons they all went off to peruse their own Tattoo Parlors and enjoy their families which Kat was in huge support of. As the old cast was slowly swapped out for the present cast, Kat was left with a strong group of males who were the best in their areas. She focuses on maintaining a family vibe and stresses that everyone cooperates to make it a great place for everyone to work. Kat wants only the best quality tattoos coming out of her shop and she knows that to focus on the work there has to be a good family like vibe in the shop with out drama.=====

 ====Hager also touches on the fact that The Powerpuff Girls are super heros and yet just cute little girls who have responsibilities. Kat has a celebrity status now, she appears on the red carpet and is in the tabloids. Although it’s not always for her best taste in fashion. Kat has press meetings to go to regarding her new perfume and make-up lines. Yet she has a huge responsibility to High Voltage. She can not just forget about those responsibilities and go off and party which brings her back down from the “celebrity” to the “average girl”.====