Week 8: Sia Caldwell

What does the terms détournement mean and how is it applicable to cosplay?

“Cosplay is simultaneously a détournement, a requisitioning of prefabricated materials in order to fashion new identities” (Mountfort et al., p. 35, 2018). According to Mountfort, Peirson-Smith, Geczy (2018) détournement means ‘to reroute’ or ‘to hijack’ and for situationists was linked to ‘ludic,’ (p. 24) In the urban dictionary (2003) the English translation is defined by the Situationist International movement of the 1960s as ‘diversion’ and that situationists used it as a way of method to express ‘artistic creation’. Détournement is applicable to cosplay because it is related to the situationists ‘ludic’ play and thus resulting is many people framing cosplay. According to Mountfort, Peirson-Smith, Geczy (2018) cosplayers add their own features or features from something else to create a product they are pleased with by create something new, this could be things such as parody, pastiche, satire, burlesque, and caricature (Mountfort et al., p. 24, 2018). Other cosplayers choose to edit media source materials instead of dressing up and acting a part, they mix, match and mash fanfiction and primary sources together to produce to their preference. To clarify, some people are so invested into cosplay that they use something that already exist to reshape and remake it into something else, thus ‘framing cosplay’ 

Mountfort, Peirson-Smith, Geczy (2018) claims “Détournement is useful for framing cosplay as not simply a form of fandom, but as a critical practice” (p. 24).

Cosplay is simply known as the practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game which most people know, seen or done on Halloween. However, cosplay is so much more than dressing up on Halloween, it is a form of art that demonstrates and celebrates diversity, acceptance and expression. Mountfort, Peirson-Smith, Geczy (2018) mentions that in order for the cosplayer and the audience to successfully accomplish the character that the cosplay community recommend being familiar with the story world.

There is no limit to cosplay characters due to vast story worlds you can jump into and become a part of.  is why so many fans enjoy dressing up. According to Mountfort, Peirson-Smith, Geczy (2018) in Cosplay representations of different race are possible if done so appropriately (p. 24). Mountfort, Peirson-Smith, Geczy (2018) also states “Cosplay also often subverts gender, as ‘crossplay” (p. 24).In Cosplay the change of gender appearance is openly accepted and done, men are able to dress as females and more commonly woman dress as females. However, do not confuse this with our stunning drag queens. Cosplay is becoming the character and drag is expression through gender, however there are drag queen cosplayers, who go the extra level to express themselves a little more through a character as well.  Spectators may watch and think characters but the individuals in those costumes become their characters.

“détournement is key to understanding cosplay not just as fan-based consumerism but also as a critical practice” (Mountfort et al., p. 24, 2018). 

References:

Mountfort, P., Peirson-Smith, A., & Geczy, A. (2018). Planet cosplay: Costume play, identity         and global fandom. Intellect.

Sonic. (2003). Detournement. Urban Dictionary.       https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Detournement.