We proudly congratulate Dr. Tal Barli, professor in the Unit for History and Philosophy of Art, Design and Technology, on the publication of her new book: More Woman Than Dog? Betty Boop: The Metamorphosis of a Cultural Text.

A mixture of historical, economic, social, and cultural conditions, combined with intellectual and philosophical influences from Europe, came together to form two different movements of popular culture in the United States: a hegemonic movement on the West Coast, and a subversive, political, and critical movement on the East Coast. It was at this cultural-historical juncture that Betty Boop was born: the first sexy female animated character, created by Fleischer Studios. This hybrid character developed into a unique model, called “Miss Boop” for our purposes, and all eyes are on her. Betty Boop’s hybrid nature offers a new perspective – a perspective that points to a layered and changing cultural reality, one that challenges fixed identity labels out of the understanding that culture is never static and does not develop on a fixed arc. Boop’s symbolic representations reflect this quality: her flexibility meant that she managed to stay relevant and versatile throughout different cultural periods. She emphasizes a different element of her collection of contrasting characteristics depending on the demands of the era, as she “understands” the spirit of the times and serves as a mirror for them. Betty Boop was the focus for identification and criticism in the eyes of both the patriarchal male establishment and the anti-establishment – feminism and the avant-garde.

This book revolves around two main assumptions. First, that Betty Boop contains two contrasting foundations: one subversive and active, the other conservative and passive. From this claim we derive a secondary claim connected to Betty’s dialectics of power and submissiveness. The second claim concerns Betty’s ability to be accepted: I argue that her capabilities of change and flexibility allow her to be accepted.

The book launch will be held on 19.05.21

Dr. Tal Barli is an animator and researcher of gender and visual media. She teaches in the Unit for History and Philosophy of Art, Design and Technology at Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art in Israel. She holds a Ph.D. from Tel Aviv University, where she wrote her thesis on animation and gender. She has an MA from Tel Aviv University’s School of Education in Curriculum Development. She graduated magna cum laude for her BFA in animation from the Undergraduate Film and Television program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She is also a graduate of the Faculty of Arts - Hamidrasha at Beit Berl College. Her animated films have been screened at festivals in Israel and around the world. She has also created films for Sesame Street, Israeli television, and the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Barli’s works have been presented in several group exhibitions and she has been awarded a range of prizes and scholarships. Alongside her artistic activities and academic research, she has served as the chairperson of the Israeli branch of the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA), and has served as a judge in film festivals.