Over the last few weeks, I have watched all three episodes of the series “All Man”, on Channel 4. The programmes featured Grayson Perry and his quest to understand masculinity/machismo and then create art to represent it.
Which I’ll admit beforehand, I thought was a bit weird. Grayson Perry, with his pantomime dame type cross-dressing and childlike make-up, is well known, more than a bit odd and the most unlikely of characters to investigate alpha male behaviour.
In terms of art, beforehand, I had only seen his pink Harley Davidson in the British Museum and, to be frank, I thought it was horrible. If you haven’t seen it, imagine a bike that would suit Mr Blobby and you won’t go too far wrong – a terrible thing to do to a Harley!
I once watched an episode of “Have I Got News For You” when Perry was a panel member (in drag) and I struggled to take him seriously.
In making “All Man”, Perry engaged with northern cage fighters, then went on to meet with some Skelmersdale scallies and finally some city hotshots.
Some of the characters he engaged with were grievous sorts, those that thought that masculinity was best evidenced by fighting and hurting other people, or protecting their side of the council estate with knives. To his credit, Perry managed to have decent dialogues with some intellectually/behaviourally challenged individuals – he showed he has a non-threatening but probing interviewing approach (that reminded me of Louis Theroux) that got the best out of his interviewees.
And those filmed were not alone in warming to Perry. Without his OTT make-up and bonkers costumes, I found that I warmed to him too; he came over as bright, articulate, interesting and talented. His process of distilling observations into artworks was fascinating and the work produced was on the money. And that brings me to the city.
The last episode, aired on 19th May, featured city hot shots. Of all the groups, this was the one I struggled with the most, which surprised me. To be honest, I have no intellectual reference points for cage fighters or Skelmersdale gang members, but I thought I might identify more with the city types. However, seeing/listening to these egotistical blokes that thought they were important and that their opinions mattered because they were educated, wealthy and wore smart clothes, just made me cross.
Grayson may have had a similar opinion because his art to represent this group included a big cock and a nasty looking mutant animal. Absolutely bang on in my opinion. Funnily enough the city boys didn’t seem to appreciate his efforts.
I couldn’t watch the series without reflecting on my own maleness. My conclusion is that I am far removed from the alpha male stereotype and am thankful for it (though I’ll accept that there are those out there that think I am a bit of a cock).
Do you ever judge people on the basis of whether or not you’d be prepared to share a beer or a coffee with them?
Well the only individual from the “All Man” experience that I’d have been prepared to spend time with was, and unexpectedly I might add, Grayson Perry. Bearing in mind I was rather suspicious of him at the outset, I found my change of heart interesting. But then Perry has a wife and kids and, when not dressed up like a transvestite, comes across as a normal, decent kind of a chap. A beer with him would be entertaining me thinks.
If you missed All Man, why not catch up on 4OD, I’d recommend it.
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Which I’ll admit beforehand, I thought was a bit weird. Grayson Perry, with his pantomime dame type cross-dressing and childlike make-up, is well known, more than a bit odd and the most unlikely of characters to investigate alpha male behaviour.
In terms of art, beforehand, I had only seen his pink Harley Davidson in the British Museum and, to be frank, I thought it was horrible. If you haven’t seen it, imagine a bike that would suit Mr Blobby and you won’t go too far wrong – a terrible thing to do to a Harley!
I once watched an episode of “Have I Got News For You” when Perry was a panel member (in drag) and I struggled to take him seriously.
In making “All Man”, Perry engaged with northern cage fighters, then went on to meet with some Skelmersdale scallies and finally some city hotshots.
Some of the characters he engaged with were grievous sorts, those that thought that masculinity was best evidenced by fighting and hurting other people, or protecting their side of the council estate with knives. To his credit, Perry managed to have decent dialogues with some intellectually/behaviourally challenged individuals – he showed he has a non-threatening but probing interviewing approach (that reminded me of Louis Theroux) that got the best out of his interviewees.
And those filmed were not alone in warming to Perry. Without his OTT make-up and bonkers costumes, I found that I warmed to him too; he came over as bright, articulate, interesting and talented. His process of distilling observations into artworks was fascinating and the work produced was on the money. And that brings me to the city.
The last episode, aired on 19th May, featured city hot shots. Of all the groups, this was the one I struggled with the most, which surprised me. To be honest, I have no intellectual reference points for cage fighters or Skelmersdale gang members, but I thought I might identify more with the city types. However, seeing/listening to these egotistical blokes that thought they were important and that their opinions mattered because they were educated, wealthy and wore smart clothes, just made me cross.
Grayson may have had a similar opinion because his art to represent this group included a big cock and a nasty looking mutant animal. Absolutely bang on in my opinion. Funnily enough the city boys didn’t seem to appreciate his efforts.
I couldn’t watch the series without reflecting on my own maleness. My conclusion is that I am far removed from the alpha male stereotype and am thankful for it (though I’ll accept that there are those out there that think I am a bit of a cock).
Do you ever judge people on the basis of whether or not you’d be prepared to share a beer or a coffee with them?
Well the only individual from the “All Man” experience that I’d have been prepared to spend time with was, and unexpectedly I might add, Grayson Perry. Bearing in mind I was rather suspicious of him at the outset, I found my change of heart interesting. But then Perry has a wife and kids and, when not dressed up like a transvestite, comes across as a normal, decent kind of a chap. A beer with him would be entertaining me thinks.
If you missed All Man, why not catch up on 4OD, I’d recommend it.
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