#girlsofpinball

 Fashion, turn to the left

Fashion, turn to the right

Oo, fashion

We are the goon squad and we're coming to town

Hiya, folks! Your friendly internet PinballBelle here to answer some questions about this blog, #girlsofpinball, and pinball in general. I’m using "THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT" because my intention is to explain my side of things without inadvertently shaming or guilting anyone who doesn’t see things my way. I’ll tackle one big question at a time. Today, it’s... Sexism in pinball art. 

First of all, here’s some heavy truth: I consider myself a sex-positive feminist. What I feel this means is that I believe every human has the right to be treated as equals and also that we are all intrinsically biological animals with natural needs and interests. It does not mean that I hate men; it does not mean I am attacking traditional values; it does not mean that I want to force my beliefs on anyone else. It does mean that I care sincerely about how others are treated; it means that I want everyone to have the access and freedom to do what makes them happy; it means that I want to express my feelings and emotions and to share myself with the world while I’m lucky enough to be here.

Where does pinball fit into this? Well pinball is a huge part of my life right now. I am an enthusiast, a competitor, and operator so I spend a lot of time and energy in arcades. It’s a wonderful game and community that encourage me to play, to have fun, to laugh, to be challenged, and to feel good about myself. I take it seriously because I truly feel that having pinball in my life has helped me tremendously. I want to keep working, volunteering, and supporting this industry so that anyone who wants to can experience some of the positive benefits of playing pinball that I have. I wouldn’t wish some of the negative aspects of this life/hobby/obsession on anyone. And unfortunately, I could devote many many posts about them. But instead, I want to use my voice to spread the love of pinball and it’s players. To do this effectively, I feel the time has come to address some issues and to clarify a few things, from my point of view.

What is your opinion of sexist pinball art?

To start, here’s the opinion of someone I really respect, Tim Arnold of the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas: “I mean, you can look at the art. It’s definitely something that’s pitched towards young males there’s not a lot of female-friendly images on these. Part of the adolescent male fantasy is ya’know guns, women with large breasts, magic spells, uh any violent, misogynist thing you want is there on pinball.”

Guess what, y’all…. I like some of those things too. In fact, lots of women LOVE those same exact “misogynist things". The artwork on pinball machines is gorgeous! It’s what drew most of us to the game in the first place. Oooh, flashing lights, bright colors, and pretty girls! I honestly love looking at sexy babes as much as many men do and there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. I admire the talent of game artists like Dave Christensen and Doug Watson. I document and share the artwork on social media for every game I see, for cryin out loud! It’s not to make fun of the art, it’s to appreciate and document these great machines. I also want to explore how any why they were made.

Tom Nieman, the Head of Licensing, Bally Pinball from 1976-1984 said: "What makes you think ‘Oh I’m going to put my money in this one?' You come up with um rock’n’roll, you come up with sex, you come up with […] all the things that young teenage boys wanted to be.”

In both Mr Arnold’s quote above as well as this quote Mr Nieman, they do a great job identifying the major themes of most of the pinball art out there and explaining that the themes exist because the games were originally aimed at a male audience. Again, many women like these themes too. But the market doesn’t lie and in pinball’s heyday, the majority of the players (people who regularly spend their time and money on-location) were men. And there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

When most of these machines were made, it was socially acceptable and even encouraged to treat men and women (and people of color and sexual orientation etc) differently. Husbands were supposed to work while wives took care of the home. That was what was expected of everyone “normal” and anyone who didn’t conform to this lifestyle wasn’t taken seriously. Men were supposed to be huge, muscular, strong, powerful, lethal while women were only supposed to be sexually desired by the men to make babies to turn into more strong men. These ideas were not-so-subtly reinforced in popular songs, movies, comics, fashion, and entertainment. So when arcades were made (by men), the consumers (men) were targeted with what they were expected to be interested in (manly things).  That makes sense and there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

Now here’s the thing…many people today still feel this way about gender roles (as our mainstream media and popular culture continue to prove). But more and more of us are coming to understand that this is unrealistic, unhealthy and unfair to both men and women. No one has to follow those prescribed roles anymore and the people that continue to force them at us are missing out on a life of understanding, compassion, acceptance, and humanity.

So how can you appreciate the artwork and still think it’s sexist?

Well, my friends, there’s a little German word that I like to use to describe the art of pinball (of the past). And that word is kitsch. Definition: noun       art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way. i.e. “Gottleib’s Slick Chick is an example of sixties kitsch"

adjective       considered to be in poor taste but appreciated in an ironic or knowing way. i.e. "the backglass is covered with kitsch images, scantily-clad nightclub acts and a barbershop quartet. "

I love and honor things made in the past because they represent a different time that has gone by. I have a passion for history, memorabilia, and sentimentality in general. But I am intelligent enough to know that times have changed; that some things in the past are offensive to those of us living today; that women are not just sex objects and that men are not just buff warriors; that people of all kinds are worthy of respect. AND THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

One Quarter at a Time: The Pinball Hall of Fame from Lynsey Cook on Vimeo.