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    CARBON FIBRE MASCULINITY: disability and surfaces of homosociality


    Hickey-Moody, Anna (2015) CARBON FIBRE MASCULINITY: disability and surfaces of homosociality. Angelaki, 20 (1). pp. 139-153. ISSN 0969-725X

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    Abstract

    This article examines material economies of carbon fibre as a prosthetic form of masculinity. The paper advances three main arguments. Firstly, carbon fibre can be a site in which disability is overcome, an act of overcoming that is affected through masculinized technology. Secondly, carbon fibre can be a homosocial surface; that is, carbon fibre becomes both a surface extension of the self and a third-party mediator in homosocial relationships, a surface that facilitates intimacy between men in ways that devalue femininity in both male and female bodies. Carbon fibre surfaces are material extensions of subjectivity, and carbon fibre surfaces are vectors of the cultural economies of masculine competition. Thirdly, the article gives an account of Oscar Pistorius as an example of the masculinization of carbon fibre, and the associated binding of a psychic attitude of misogyny and power to a form of violent and competitive masculine subjectivity. The paper unpacks the affects, economies and surfaces of “carbon fibre masculinity” and discusses Pistorius’ use of carbon fibre, homosociality and misogyny as forms of protest masculinity through which he unconsciously attempted to recuperate his gendered identity from emasculating discourses of disability.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: disability; masculinity; homosociality; surfaces; hegemony;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > School of English, Media & Theatre Studies > Media Studies
    Item ID: 19797
    Identification Number: 10.1080/0969725X.2015.1017394
    Depositing User: Anna Hickey-Moody
    Date Deposited: 12 May 2025 14:43
    Journal or Publication Title: Angelaki
    Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19797
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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