MadMen; Oppressive Lighting.

MadMen is considered an all round ground breaker in terms of it's approach to programme filming and making, so it's no surprise that the makers of this hit U.S. TV show have tried to represent the man made limitations women face in the work place through a detail as intricate as the office lighting.

 

The metaphorical glass ceiling that women struggle to break through is represented here through the squareness of the ceiling tiles and rectangularity of the fluorescent lighting. In the picture above, we have an example of how peggy is chained to her desk and is almost watched over by the lights in a patriarchal, voyeuristic fashion.

Showing that women are not always oppressed and completely dominated by the lighting, Joanne moves with an air of fluidity amongst the marginalised mannequins of the office and is not really restricted by the stark lighting or never ending ceiling tiles. Her curves stand out against the lighting, therefore cementing her as a solid character who is seemingly secure in her  identity and sexuality.