GENDER VISUALISATION ON ANIMATED SERIES STEVEN UNIVERSE BY REBECCA SUGAR AND ITS RESPONSE FROM CHILDREN AGED 7-11 YEARS OLD

• Main Author: Amanda Saragih, Lasvi
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/36947
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Animation as a new form of popular art has flourished only as of recent in Idonesia, thus studies related to it are still limited. In contrast, animation in North America has a rich history and is prevalent in the arts and the entertainment world, allowing potential academic discourses in subjects like visual art and social significance. There is hope in studying it so that it may help the development of animation in Indonesia as mediums of both entertainment and art. "Steven Universe", broadcasted in the TV channel Cartoon Network is one of North American animation that is internationally acknowledged, including in Indonesia and it is known as one of animation works that manages to maximalise visuals as a medium to carry social recostructive ideas, such as views on gender. This research dissects the series in terms of character design and episode design, using existing visual theories to seek whether or not these social messages speak to children aged 7 to 11 years old. This research uses the qualitative method, formulating visual theories with children pshychology, specifically cognitive theory by Jean Piaget, mirror theory and film rethorics proposed by Christian Metz, Feldman's art critic model, and self-exploration research carried by David Gauntlett. These theories are applied to analyse visual contents from "Steven Universe" and the children's response towards one of the sampled episode; "Alone Together". The creator's intention is lined with the children's response to see whether the film rethorics cause a mirror effect to the children. It is concluded within this research that children aged 7 have limited capabilities to fully assimilate the symbols and narrative existing in "Steven Universe", as they are still in their early cognitive development and are incapable to digest concepts that are too abstract. Mirror effect is achieved by children aged 11 instead, as they could see what the film illustrates more than just its visuals. Children aged 11 could relate to characters' experiences and able to understand mesages that "Steven Universe" is trying to get across. Children aged 11 has the ability to see a subject more than the gender binary its assigned to and could empathise to characters regardless of their gender codes.