Lucille Sanz

Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Viera-Vargas, Hugo

Area of Concentration

Gender Studies

Abstract

Flamenco, as an art form, has developed a gender typecast in which the exhibition of physical movements, vocal interpretations, and the use of customary musical instruments have reflected long-established gender roles and hierarchy of a traditionally patriarchal society. This thesis analyzes how flamenco perpetuates traditional stereotypes of gender, the obstacles artists face within those roles, and how performers are challenging gender differentiation and integrate new gender imagery into modern-day flamenco. In its beginnings, flamenco was not a form of entertainment but instead a way of life where marginalized citizens expressed their fears, joys, and many other emotions via the art form (Cisneros-Kostic 2010). Eventually, the progression of flamenco into a performing art strengthened the significance of gender roles. A feminine allure was the conventional ideal of women, while masculine intensity is the stereotype of male performers. The influential part that gender play in the performances of modern-day flamenco exposes a departure from prevalent notions of masculinity or femininity as new artists like Rosalía, Lourdes Pastor, or Manuel Liñan emerged. The Nuevo Flamenco generation of artists defies the concept of gender roles which circumscribe the male/female person in flamenco by constructing new and atypical types of presentations. This new wave of artists deconstructs the conception of gender by creating general acceptance, even though their interpretations are differing from the long-established standards. During the process of my research, I traveled to Spain, thanks to the Student Research and Travel Grant from the New College of Florida. In Spain, I had the opportunity to participate in flamenco dance classes, observe first-hand the differences between performers, and attend a flamenco show. This thesis includes first-person narratives regarding the experience, observations, and my perspective on the gender dynamics in the flamenco culture. From a cultural viewpoint, the research will emphasize the need to reject gender constraints in all artistic genres and consider the impact of these societal changes in the achievement of gender equality.

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