Cuteness and monstrosity

Abstract

In this MA thesis work, I write about my artistic research on the themes of cuteness and monstrosity. My focus is in explaining what these themes mean to me and how I use them as inspiration and tools in my performership. In the end, I put them together and explain where the combination of them leads to. I use examples from my own personal and professional life to give context to my perspectives. I also deliver practical tasks, which the reader can try as well, to get an embodied experience of my writing. I discuss in the work with academics from the fields of Cuteness studies and Monster studies. I also bring in the artists who have given input to my research. I illustrate the themes as well with examples of my experiences in performing. Monstrosity and cuteness are very broad themes and can be viewed from many different perspectives. I discuss them from my personal point of view, the one that also makes sense regarding my artistic practice as a dance artist and performer. The themes and their readings are also attached to the time we live in. I emphasise this subjectivity and temporality by supplementing the work with pictures and emojis. The writing throughout the text has a tension, a friction that comes from two polarities pulling to opposite directions. The most visible contrast is the one between cuteness and monstrosity, which are opposites to each other (at the first glance). Another friction point is between the light and playful subjects and the serious and dark ones. I write from both of those registers. And then, of course, there is the act of balancing between telling my own opinions and views and giving space for other voices. This sense of friction is also depicting my feeling towards these themes. This is a sort of a manual for anyone to find their inner cutie and monster.