Business meeting or lynch mob?
I might as well just say right off that I am an avatar freak. I like making up people, personalities creating outfits, decorating, telling a story using the constraints of visual media. Hence my overindulgence in games like Superpoke pets, and Pet Society. Mercifully there are along list of acquaintances that do not know this about me and are spared the the Facebook updates but the small handful who really know me understand that it is something that engages my imagination perhaps far beyond what the marketing intends. I like my playtime.
I have never had any interest in watching AMC’s “Madmen.” I tried to watch it once but aside from the appeal of the fashions of that era, I have come to regard it suspiciously merely as a show about a bunch of arrogant masochistic white guys and the women who tolerate them. This may be a huge generalization but for the most part nothing pulls me into that program. Combine my trite summary with the terrible racial climate of that era and how that figures in advertising of the 20s and 30s and I’m even less inspired to watch it.
When the “Madmen Yourself” icon maker came out a few years ago as a way to promote their first season, I was surprised at how much fun it was to create male and female characters of that era using all the same constraints and gender biases that kept me from ever watching the show. The clothes of that era tell such a clear story about that time that no one would have a hard time knowing where they fit. The clothes are glaringly codified with social status and gender role function of the time.
Have a drink honey! You'll feel better in no time.
Women's clothes are super form fitting or sheer, reminiscent of the ever pervasive corset for that uniform tiny waist and tell you if they are going to work, dining, meeting someone for a drink, lounging at the pool, working as a stewardess or typist, baking a cake or entertaining a party. The men’s clothes tell you whether he is going to work, lounging at home, making a presentation, dining, schmoozing, etc. That being said, creating “Madmen” avatars of color is quite a trip. I have to say that I’m impressed by the available choices in skin color that vary from pale to tan to brown, to very dark brown, almost black. They also have three body types, skinny, "fit," and heavy.
I suppose the point for actual "Madmen" fans is to create someone who resembles a version of them, as they would be represented in this world. It is also not without a twisted sense of humor of which I highly approve. A very jazzy loop plays continuously on the website as you zip through each step of creating your "Madmen" icon. Among the various accessories for men is a shotgun and an accordion. For women there is a maternity dress, complete with baby bump. I am toying with the idea of pairing the baby bump with a cigarette in hand or a nice cocktail. Real cute, unless you happen to be black or Latina or any of the various groups represented by color. Then it’s a bit surreal. Because although I can appreciate that they make these color options available, all the “scenes” they appear in are a sobering reflection of exactly whose world it is. No matter who your avatar is you are surrounded by a sea of white faces, the secretary, co-workers, the guy who meets you for a drink. Regardless, I spent hours one evening last week creating my own cast of “Madmen” characters with a new set of looks promoting the latest season. I like playing around with the stereotypes, creating situations that would be highly improbable in the 1920s or 30s for people of color. Isn’t this how we start to have important conversations? Isn’t this why we play?
