In Your Face: 9 Sexual Studies (sexual Cultures... -

Merck uses a "kaleidoscopic" approach, blending psychoanalysis and contemporary theory to examine how sexuality is often shifted onto the human face. Key studies within the collection include:

The book concludes with a deep dive into the intersection of desire and disgust. It analyzes cultural figures like (of Deep Throat fame) and Camille Paglia to explore how the face becomes a site of "desecration" through specific sexual acts. Ultimately, Merck illustrates that while postmodern criticism often treats sex as a mere abstraction, its physical representation continues to provoke visceral, "in your face" reactions. In Your Face: 9 Sexual Studies (Sexual Cultures, 7) In Your Face: 9 Sexual Studies (Sexual Cultures...

Mandy Merck’s (2000) is a provocative exploration of how sex and sexuality are represented—and often displaced—within modern media, art, and high-profile scandals. Part of the Sexual Cultures series from NYU Press , the book argues that even in a culture saturated with "sexy" imagery, the actual representation of sex remains an aggressive, confrontational act. Core Themes and Essays Core Themes and Essays