04/25/24
August 25, 2010
I really should workout more: Slow-mo captures of WTA pros hitting different shots. Soundtrack by Philip Glass' disappointing nephew.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey to tennis at 08:06 PM - 18 comments
I dunno. On a read of the first-order meaning, you can see a real appreciation of the athletic aesthetic--physical beauty in both body and motion. Going deeper, since this is a reel of only female tennis players, it does suggest a sexualization of that aesthetic. Not an SI bikini shoot, but dangerously veiled to hide just that little bit more.
posted by Spitztengle at 01:40 AM on August 26, 2010
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who puffs out his cheeks like Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet when I hit a tennis ball [evidence, further evidence].
I found that fascinating to watch. I really enjoyed it and thought it had artistic merit, but it got me wondering if there is anything that super slow-mo and a bit of minor key tinkling piano doesn't make "artistic"? I thought of an Orwellian boot crushing a human face etc. In super slow-mo I'd probably be admiring the definition of the mud.
As for the sexualisation aspect - it's human bodies in peak condition performing athletic tasks. To examine that subject, you're going to risk the viewer making a sexual inference.
posted by JJ at 03:46 AM on August 26, 2010
As for the sexualisation aspect - it's human bodies in peak condition performing athletic tasks. To examine that subject, you're going to risk the viewer making a sexual inference.
Especially when you put the women in mini skirts, heavy make up and body glitter.
posted by MW12 at 06:41 AM on August 26, 2010
I pulled my own hamstring muscle just WATCHING Kim C. stretch to hit that shot in the first video.
Ouch.
It was also fascinating watching Serena's face go from somewhat calm to almost violently intense as she's about to hit the shot.
posted by grum@work at 08:49 AM on August 26, 2010
I just watched this via a link on Kottke and was underwhelmed by any of the videos with the exception of the first one where the player (PLAYER!) slides in, places her hand down for support and springs up to be ready for the next shot. The rest were boring, and seem only meant to titillate. And based on some of the responses here, they were successful. There were so many ways this could have been more interesting and artistic, but instead this was yawn-inducing, including the crap sound.
posted by scully at 08:54 AM on August 26, 2010
...and your hair must be loose and long (and straight), ladies, or you're not beautiful. Ugh.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:27 AM on August 26, 2010
Especially when you put the women in mini skirts, heavy make up and body glitter.
Have you seen what they choose to wear on the court lately? Forgive me if I'm not pulling out my violin to accompany the degredation of the powerless females.
...and your hair must be loose and long (and straight), ladies, or you're not beautiful. Ugh.
You're right. The director should have shaved their heads to avoid making anyone feel bad, then produced an equal number of videos of out of shape ugly women in the name of "balance".
posted by JJ at 12:06 PM on August 26, 2010
You're right. The director should have shaved their heads to avoid making anyone feel bad, then produced an equal number of videos of out of shape ugly women in the name of "balance".
Don't poke the bear, JJ.
posted by smithnyiu at 01:05 PM on August 26, 2010
Judging by the look on her face when she hits a tennis stroke, remind me never, ever, ever to piss off Serena Williams. She looks just plain mean!!!
On the sexuality thing, I just don't see it. Maybe if fish net stockings were involved...
posted by Howard_T at 01:22 PM on August 26, 2010
You're right. The director should have shaved their heads to avoid making anyone feel bad, then produced an equal number of videos of out of shape ugly women in the name of "balance".
You're completely (and I suspect deliberately) missing the point, JJ. When was the last time that you watched a professional tennis match in which women with long hair played with their hair loose?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 01:34 PM on August 26, 2010
I wouldn't worry too much about it, years of conditioning at the hands of Playboy, Cosmo, Maxim and other sources has convinced me (so I'm absolutely certain everyone else, as well) that the only women worthy of sexual admiration are those who are six feet tall, 100 lbs, and have breasts of a D cup or larger. What would one find sexy about an athletic, muscular woman demonstrating power and grace? And shame on anyone who tries to show me the beauty in that.
posted by tahoemoj at 03:50 PM on August 26, 2010
...the only women worthy of sexual admiration are those who are six feet tall, 100 lbs, and have breasts of a D cup or larger
And blonde. Don't forget blonde.
posted by BornIcon at 03:59 PM on August 26, 2010
When was the last time that you watched a professional tennis match in which women with long hair played with their hair loose?
If you wanted realism, couldn't you just watch a tennis match?
posted by tron7 at 07:51 PM on August 26, 2010
Really???? The outfit with all the Fringe, or the almost non-existent tube top, and your complaint of "Lack of realism" is the loose hair??? You seem to be the one with issues if you can't see this as the artistic view that it is.
posted by thenewguy821 at 10:06 AM on August 27, 2010
You know, somehow I don't recall using the words "lack of realism". How come they're being attributed to me in quotes? If that's how sloppy and intellectually lazy you are, I'm not even going to dignify your comment with a reply.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 01:37 PM on August 27, 2010
I think you just did.
posted by BornIcon at 02:04 PM on August 27, 2010
Thenewguy: No more false quotes or multiple punctuation marks, please. We boot accounts for stuff like that.
posted by rcade at 02:44 PM on August 27, 2010
Point being, of course, that tennis is hot