Real Life Cowboys
“In the last 100 years, cowboy culture has mostly been represented through the media, photography and art in its original stereotypical fashion,” says Leblanc. “My hypothesis is that this is not an accurate representation of cowboy culture and that there’s a need to create new forms of representation that are closer to the realities of cowboys in everyday life.”
Who are the
“Real Life Cowboys”?
The lone figure in beat-up cowboy boots. The tough guy peering out from under a Stetson. The Marlboro Man. Do these common portrayals of the cowboy reflect their reality or stereotypes about cowboy culture? In a new research and art project, Dr. Jean-René Leblanc, PhD, aims to find out.
University of Calgary digital arts associate professor Jean-René Leblanc, is commencing a 3-year research and visual art project that will investigate the diverse models of masculinity operating within contemporary cowboy culture, with a focus on rodeo cowboys in southern Alberta, Canada. The purpose of this study is to learn about and create artworks about the ways that male and female rodeo contestants understand their gender identity.
Become a Part of the Project
Jean-René Leblanc is seeking 20 Men and Women rodeo participates to visit and interview. He would like to learn about their experiences within “cowboy” culture and how they experience masculinity and femininity with respect to life as a rodeo contestant. He may ask questions like: How did you know that you were a cowboy/cowgirl? How did you become involved in rodeo? Are all cowboys male? As well as get them to complete a related questionnaire.
All those who participate in this phase will receive, $100 gift visa card, for their participation.
During a second visit, Jean René will work with individuals to create a symbolic self-portrait (an image of who they are, not necessarily of how they look) that communicates, through their choice of characteristics and objects included in the image, their sense of his or her self as a portrait (note: This portrait may or may not include his or her face or body, that is their choice).
“I want to know all the stories behind these objects. What is their cultural significance? What is their deep-rooted meaning” says Leblanc. He anticipates hearing about objects like steel-toed boots or the belt buckles given as rodeo prizes. Leblanc says “You might win a hundred thousand dollars at a rodeo…but it’s the belt buckle that’s the really precious prize. That’s what shows that you’re a champion.”
All those who participate in this phase will receive, $100 gift visa card, for their participation.
Jean René with 360 degree photography artist Denis Gadbois will visit participants a third time. During this visit Jean René and Denis will take 3D scans and panoramic photographs that document objects and spaces (both indoor and outdoor) that have been identified during the earlier visits as being important symbols of identity. They may also take new portraits of each participant led by their decisions regarding how they want to be include in the portrait (note: These portraits may or may not include the face or body, that is the participant’s choice).
Jean René will create works of art based on the information from the self-portrait, interview, and the questionnaires. He will present “prototype” versions of the artworks to each participant for feedback, validation and/or critique. All participants will have the ability to choose which of these “in process” artworks will be refined and produced into final artworks by the creative team.
All those who participate in this phase will receive, $100 gift visa card, for their participation.
Dr. Leblanc, Principle Investigator, is an Associate Professor of Digital Arts at the University of Calgary. For twenty years, Dr. Leblanc has investigated notions of masculinity and gender performativity through his research-creation projects.
Dr. Eiserman, Co-investigator, is an Associate Professor of Art at the University of Calgary. She has nineteen years of experience contributing to funded ethnographic and arts-based research, and extensive experience with hermeneutic methodologies.
Dr. Brian Rusted, Collaborator, is an Associate Professor in the departments of Art, and Communications, Media and Film at the University of Calgary. He has research, teaching and curatorial experience with cultural performance, cowboy art, and the Calgary Stampede.
Denis Gadbois, Collaborator, is a Senior Instructor of Art at the University of Calgary. He is an established designer whose current practice focusses on virtual reality, panoramic/photosphere photography, and rapid prototyping.
Dr. Karine Côté, Collaborator, is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Psychology at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. She is an expert in sexual behaviour and diversity and has extensive experience with quantitative research methodologies and analyses, testing and administration of semi-structured interviews.
Project Updates
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Is there only one way to be a man? Rethinking masculinity in the age of gender fluidity
How to be a “real man”: Shake hands. Bump shoulders. Gimme five. Up high
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Revealing and concealing: How objects define masculinity
Digital arts prof Jean-René Leblanc explores cowboy culture to inform visual art project