Nicholas De Villiers's guest appearances

Nicholas De Villiers

New Books in Critical Theory

New Books in Gender

New Books in East Asian Studies

New Books in Biography

New Books in Art

New Books Network

New Books in Film

New Books in Performing Arts

Porno Cultures Podcast

New Books in Chinese Studies

New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies

New Books in Sex, Sexuality, and Sex Work

Hil Malatino

Megan Burke

Scott Morgensen

Erica R. Edwards

Alys Eve Weinbaum

Josh Cerretti

Clare Daniel

Sukey Fontelieu

Arnika Fuhrmann

Marcia Morgan

Keisha Lindsay

Mia Fischer

Laurie R. Lambert

Rahul Rao

Manon Garcia

OwlTail

When we think about the rhetoric around sex workers it’s often easier to hear or read opinions advocating for the abolishment of sex work coming from politicians or “concerned citizens” who are not sex workers, or have never bothered to speak to a sex worker. The degree to which the voices of sex workers are suppressed in mainstream outlets throughout the West speaks to how dangerous their voices are considered. What on earth can sex workers be saying that so many people feel the need to speak for them instead of letting them speak for themselves? Well, that’s one of the primary issues that Nicholas de Villiers looks to solve in Sexography: Sex Work in Documentary (University of Minnesota Press, 2017). Sexography analyzes a series of films centered around interviewing sex workers. These films represent some of the few instances where sex workers are actually allowed to speak for themselves. Of course, these films are not without their own tensions. Many of the films are directed by non-sex workers and some of the portrayals of sex work in these films is quite negative. This is where de Villiers’ dynamic analysis of these films through a queer perspective helps us think about the nature of sex work, the interview, documentary aesthetics, and the concept of “truth” in new and interesting ways. Sexography is an exploration of how we can go about reading for, and exploring the sexual practices of, not only sex workers, but our own ideas about sexuality as well. How can the financial aspects of sex work help us understand the power dynamics of our own sexual relationships? What can sex workers teach us about sex and pornographic literacy? What is the relationship between sex work, pornography, and drag performance? And how can the work of Foucault help us think about the contemporary nature of sexual practice? These are just some of the questions explored in this wide-ranging interview. De Villiers is one of the most interesting and bold queer theorists working today, so you’re not going to want to miss out on his compelling analysis of these films or his thoughts on contemporary sexuality!  Sexography: Sex Work in Documentary L.A. Review of Books review of Sexography More work from NicholasOpacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and WarholNicholas’ appearance on the Critical Theory podcast discussing Opacity and the Closet“Afterthoughts on Queer Opacity”“FBI Seized 23 Tor-hidden Child Porn Sites, Deployed Malware from Them”“How the FBI Became the World’s Largest Distributor of Child Sex Abuse Imagery”“Transgender, at War and in Love”“What Teenagers are Learning from Online Porn”Paris is Burning (1990)Love Meetings (1964)Not Angels But Angles (1994)Body Without Soul (1996)Tales of the Night Fairies (2002) facebook.com/AcademicSex@PornoCulturesHelp Support the Podcast!More info about Brandon Arroyo

When we think about the rhetoric around sex workers it’s often easier to hear or read opinions advocating for the abolishment of sex work coming from politicians or “concerned citizens” who are not sex workers, or have never bothered to speak to a sex worker. The degree to which the voices of sex workers are suppressed in mainstream outlets throughout the West speaks to how dangerous their voices are considered. What on earth can sex workers be saying that so many people feel the need to speak for them instead of letting them speak for themselves? Well, that’s one of the primary issues that Nicholas de Villiers looks to solve in Sexography: Sex Work in Documentary (University of Minnesota Press, 2017). Sexography analyzes a series of films centered around interviewing sex workers. These films represent some of the few instances where sex workers are actually allowed to speak for themselves. Of course, these films are not without their own tensions. Many of the films are directed by non-sex workers and some of the portrayals of sex work in these films is quite negative. This is where de Villiers’ dynamic analysis of these films through a queer perspective helps us think about the nature of sex work, the interview, documentary aesthetics, and the concept of “truth” in new and interesting ways. Sexography is an exploration of how we can go about reading for, and exploring the sexual practices of, not only sex workers, but our own ideas about sexuality as well. How can the financial aspects of sex work help us understand the power dynamics of our own sexual relationships? What can sex workers teach us about sex and pornographic literacy? What is the relationship between sex work, pornography, and drag performance? And how can the work of Foucault help us think about the contemporary nature of sexual practice? These are just some of the questions explored in this wide-ranging interview. De Villiers is one of the most interesting and bold queer theorists working today, so you’re not going to want to miss out on his compelling analysis of these films or his thoughts on contemporary sexuality!   Sexography: Sex Work in Documentary  L.A. Review of Books review of Sexography  More work from Nicholas Opacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and Warhol Nicholas’ appearance on the Critical Theory podcast discussing Opacity and the Closet “Afterthoughts on Queer Opacity” “FBI Seized 23 Tor-hidden Child Porn Sites, Deployed Malware from Them” “How the FBI Became the World’s Largest Distributor of Child Sex Abuse Imagery” “Transgender, at War and in Love” “What Teenagers are Learning from Online Porn” Paris is Burning (1990) Love Meetings (1964) Not Angels But Angles (1994) Body Without Soul (1996) Tales of the Night Fairies (2002)   <a href="http://facebook.com/AcademicSex" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/AcademicSex</a> @PornoCultures Help Support the Podcast! More info about Brandon Arroyo

Nicholas de Villiers

In his book, Opacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and Warhol (University of Minnesota Press, 2012), Nicholas de Villiers takes up an examination of the work of the three titular authors as a way of understanding their queerness and more specifically, how each man subverted the “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm.   De Villiers devotes ample time to each man, however I found his thoughts on Foucault and Barthes of particular importance as both have come to be so deeply associated with postmodernism, poststructuralism, and queer theory. It is safe to say that Foucault is in large part responsible for the theoretical and philosophical foundations of what we know of today as queer theory and queer studies. This fact makes Foucault’s own relationship with his “out” sexuality all the more fascinating and de Villiers does a great service to Foucault, showing that Foucault himself subverted the  “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm and society’s need to ferret out and make known our sexualities. While many scholars, academics, and cultural critics have criticized Foucault for his “silence,” de Villiers’s work suggests that Foucault’s life was a practice in complicating and disrupting the immense societal desire to see homosexuality expressed in one sanctioned way.  De Villiers work here is deep, insightful, and refreshing in its attempt to offer an alternative to “suspicious reading.” I do hope you enjoy our conversation.Photo Credit: Lauren M. Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

In his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0816675716/?tag=newbooinhis-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Opacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and Warhol</a> (University of Minnesota Press, 2012), <a href="http://unf.academia.edu/NicholasdeVilliers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicholas de Villiers</a> takes up an examination of the work of the three titular authors as a way of understanding their queerness and more specifically, how each man subverted the “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm. De Villiers devotes ample time to each man, however I found his thoughts on Foucault and Barthes of particular importance as both have come to be so deeply associated with postmodernism, poststructuralism, and queer theory. It is safe to say that Foucault is in large part responsible for the theoretical and philosophical foundations of what we know of today as queer theory and queer studies. This fact makes Foucault’s own relationship with his “out” sexuality all the more fascinating and de Villiers does a great service to Foucault, showing that Foucault himself subverted the “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm and society’s need to ferret out and make known our sexualities. While many scholars, academics, and cultural critics have criticized Foucault for his “silence,” de Villiers’s work suggests that Foucault’s life was a practice in complicating and disrupting the immense societal desire to see homosexuality expressed in one sanctioned way. De Villiers work here is deep, insightful, and refreshing in its attempt to offer an alternative to “suspicious reading.” I do hope you enjoy our conversation. Photo Credit: <a href="http://cargocollective.com/happical/BFA-Photography" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lauren M. Jones</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>Support our show by becoming a premium member! <a href="https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies</a>

Nicholas De Villiers, “Opacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and Warhol” (University of Minnesota Press, 2012)

In his book, Opacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and Warhol (University of Minnesota Press, 2012), Nicholas de Villiers takes up an examination of the work of the three titular authors as a way of understanding their queerness and more specifically, how each man subverted the “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm.   De Villiers devotes ample time to each man, however I found his thoughts on Foucault and Barthes of particular importance as both have come to be so deeply associated with postmodernism, poststructuralism, and queer theory. It is safe to say that Foucault is in large part responsible for the theoretical and philosophical foundations of what we know of today as queer theory and queer studies. This fact makes Foucault’s own relationship with his “out” sexuality all the more fascinating and de Villiers does a great service to Foucault, showing that Foucault himself subverted the  “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm and society’s need to ferret out and make known our sexualities. While many scholars, academics, and cultural critics have criticized Foucault for his “silence,” de Villiers’s work suggests that Foucault’s life was a practice in complicating and disrupting the immense societal desire to see homosexuality expressed in one sanctioned way.  De Villiers work here is deep, insightful, and refreshing in its attempt to offer an alternative to “suspicious reading.” I do hope you enjoy our conversation.Photo Credit: Lauren M. Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

In his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0816675716/?tag=newbooinhis-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Opacity and the Closet: Queer Tactics in Foucault, Barthes, and Warhol</a> (University of Minnesota Press, 2012), <a href="http://unf.academia.edu/NicholasdeVilliers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicholas de Villiers</a> takes up an examination of the work of the three titular authors as a way of understanding their queerness and more specifically, how each man subverted the “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm. De Villiers devotes ample time to each man, however I found his thoughts on Foucault and Barthes of particular importance as both have come to be so deeply associated with postmodernism, poststructuralism, and queer theory. It is safe to say that Foucault is in large part responsible for the theoretical and philosophical foundations of what we know of today as queer theory and queer studies. This fact makes Foucault’s own relationship with his “out” sexuality all the more fascinating and de Villiers does a great service to Foucault, showing that Foucault himself subverted the “in-and-out of the closet” paradigm and society’s need to ferret out and make known our sexualities. While many scholars, academics, and cultural critics have criticized Foucault for his “silence,” de Villiers’s work suggests that Foucault’s life was a practice in complicating and disrupting the immense societal desire to see homosexuality expressed in one sanctioned way. De Villiers work here is deep, insightful, and refreshing in its attempt to offer an alternative to “suspicious reading.” I do hope you enjoy our conversation. Photo Credit: <a href="http://cargocollective.com/happical/BFA-Photography" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lauren M. Jones</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>Support our show by becoming a premium member! <a href="https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory</a>