An Eternity of Romantic and Sensual Fantasy

This advertisement for Eternity by Calvin Klein displays romanticism. This advertisement presents a sexual romantic ambiance that is capable of getting the attention of both men and women. It can be viewed as a ‘structure of feeling’ by Western cultures. The majority of Western men and women would experience the same feelings when seeing this advertisement. Words such as erotic, sensual, suggestive, stimulating, and rousing are feelings and emotions that are stimulated by this advertisement. The name of the perfume, Eternity, presents the idea that this perfume will lead to an eternity of such feelings and emotions. The name of the perfume and the visual advertisement have the potential to evoke a romantic and sexual fantasy. As we know, a gap exists between the fantasy and the real. As an effect, a gap between visual representation and our own real self-images exists; we dwell on what we lack. The visual itself is soft and delicate. The viewer can feel the connection and emotions shared between the man and woman. We are lured to the romantic and sexual appeal of the advertisement.

This advertisement is an example of how our feelings are a ‘cultural construction’ and that culture forms our feelings and emotions. In Western culture, sexuality is an important aspect and is seen in some form almost everywhere. Sexuality and romanticism can almost be interchangeable in today’s society. This visual representation, and many others in mainstream media, essentially forces us to feel emotions that are associated with romance. The ideological ideas behind this advertisement are associated with Western culture and our views on sexuality and romance. This advertisement represents the feelings or emotions over reason or fact and innocence over experience.