Reflecting on the use of the rabbit as an ambiguous symbol of triumph over passion and the abandonment of oneself to sensual indulgence reminded me of the Playboy logo as a contemporary example of the appropriation of the rabbit as a symbol of sexuality.
In this context, the bunny is the central metaphor of the popular magazine founded by Hugh Hefner and his associates in 1953. The glossy magazine is notable for its centerfolds of nude models (Playmates), and has featured a plethora of celebrity icons since launching its debut issue in 1953 with Marilyn Monroe. Other celebrities include Pop music artist Madonna in 1985, and Kate Moss on the cover for the magazines 60th anniversary issue, where she is seen wearing a bunny outfit (bbc.com).
In an article written for The Guardian, 31 May 2011, Kira Cochrane references a 1967 interview where Hugh Hefner explains his choice of the rabbit as the Playboy’s logo: The bunny “has sexual meaning”, he said, “because it’s a fresh animal, shy, vivacious, jumping – sexy. First it smells you, then it escapes, then it comes back, and you feel like caressing it, playing with it. A girl resembles a bunny. Joyful, joking” (Hefner, 1967).
In Christian iconography, the Virgin Mary is associated with the image of the rabbit to communicate her chastity as a form of virtue through sexual abstinence (Impelluso 238). It is my opinion that when Hefner states that the bunny “has sexual meaning”, he is tapping into the historical use of the rabbit as a symbol of sexual activity and applying it to his models with the intent to stimulate carnal pleasure. It is my intent to unite the rabbit as a symbol of both sexual desire and chastity in Performing Human through Animal. Attempting to unite opposites in one image brings to mind the postulations of Greek
17philosopher Heraclitus: that opposites are not contrary aspects but complementary sides of a unity (Cohen).
The Rabbit therefore both embodies opposition and tension.
Marc Cohen, professor at Washington University explains how Greek Philosopher Heraclitus describes cases where a single object simultaneously characterizes both opposing forces (Unity of opposites). His example of a bow and a lyre illustrate an object where opposites are simultaneously present in a single object. Harmony exists in the opposing tension created by the string and the bow. The string is pulled on both ends by the bow, while the bow itself is subjected to opposing force at both ends by the string.
These opposing forces allow the bow to function, and without uniting these opposites the bow could not function (Cohen).
My intent as an artist is to produce an animal sculpture that externalizes the rabbit form that plays with these multiple contexts and meanings of the animal in culture. I want to bring tension by uniting the opposite meanings: lust/chastity, and desire/abstinence.
In Florence, my interest in desire and self-restraint was influenced by the aroma of food and taste. At every corner, of the city I found myself at a restaurant or a gelateria experimenting with an array of sweets with an espresso. It wasn’t long before I became aware of my own relationship with desire for the sensual pleasure of food and drink, including substance abuse.
Source:Salazar, David - Performing Human through Animal. Diss. OCAD University, 2017.
