Girls Rule The World: Visual Pleasure, Sexual Politics And Image Control

Presented by The Photographers' Gallery in response to their current exhibition We Want More, this expert panel explores the shifts in authorship and control of image-making, especially for women - in contemporary music culture.

With the advent of the digital and the vastly expanded platforms for production, distribution and consumption, the construction of a ‘star's’ image is more loaded than ever. For female artists in particular, that’s brought an intense degree of visibility, backlash and responsibility. While performers such as Beyonce and Taylor Swift have achieved widespread respect and multi-platform success for their seemingly strong ownership of image, others like Miley Cyrus, Rhianna and Nikki Minaj are pilloried for playing to a culture of pornification.

But is the debate as polarized as it may seem? Are women exploiting their sexuality to their advantage, negating it – such as the artist Sia does, or simply pandering to male fantasy? What do women need to do to make an impact today? And who really calls the shots?

Chaired by writer, cultural commentator and editor, Ekow Eshun, panelists include award-winning performer, Little Boots, Juliette Larthe, music video producer for artists such as M.I.A , Kanye West and Rihanna, writer and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer, plus other special guests.