Aug
3
Module 6 – Final Thoughts
August 3, 2011 | Uncategorized | 6 Comments
Jul
13
Module #3: Multicultural Activism
July 13, 2011 | Uncategorized | 1,045 Comments
Art History: Feminists have worked to resurrect various artists from the past. Is there a way to both successfully resurrect artists and point to the fundamental institutional inequalities that Nochlin and Kraft pointed us to?
I believe that feminists working towards equality for female artists, are very much like feminists that are working for the overall equality for women. The reason many authors say that women haven’t been given credit for art in the past, is because women have been entirely left out of history books. Whether it be political, social, etc. . . women have been underrepresented in history in all ways in the past. Despite this, however, women are absolutely able to resurrect not only art history, but all history.
In my opinion, there is only one way to truly overcome gender inequality: change the minds of the youth so in many decades, everyone overall has an equal view of men and women. Unfortunately, I think it is too late to entirely change the minds of the elderly and those who have grown up with gender inequality. Therefore, if we teach our children that women played as much of a role in history (Socially, politically, AND in ART). . . as men did, the children who one day become adults, will never know the different.
Do you agree? Do you think that the only way to truly change the minds of society overall about women, is to change the minds of the youth? Will this resurrect women’s art?
Jul
5
Art History – Mary Cassatt (Module #2)
July 5, 2011 | Uncategorized | 2,065 Comments
This painting is from artist Mary Cassatt who we read vaguely about in Definition of Feminism Art or Feminist Definition of Art? by Selma Kraft. I thought it would be interesting to actually LOOK at the painting that are discussed in the articles we read, rather than just read words and try to create out own picture of what is discussed. Kraft, in the article, states that Cassatt’s style was deprevied from Impressionism developed by Claude Monet. I also find if fascinating that Kraft claimed Cassatt didn’t receive much credit for her work. Nealy my entire Intro Essay was based upon how women have been left out of history books and how gender inequality have played a part in art overall. In this picture, I feel like Cassatt does a phenomenal job of showing how women took care of the children in the household and also gives women credit for the hardwork that went overlooked in the past. (Yes, I am a radical feminist) To me, Cassatt proves the underlying idea that women worked extremely hard in the home, whether it was recognized or not. Hence, why I believe it represents feminism in a ‘soft’ way.
This is another painting by Cassatt, titled “Breakfast in Bed”. To me, it once again shows how women worked in the home, and how much time was put into child raising. I think Cassatt had the underlying thought process that women were underrepresented and not given credit for the duties that occurred in the home.
Here is yet a third painting by Cassatt, again showing a woman holding a child. I searched a ton throughout the internet and nearly ALL of the paintings by Cassatt were of women playing the role of a mother. To me, this entirely represents feminism and shows the significant part that women played in history. I find it fascinating just how Cassatt brought together ART and CULTURE in her painting. Not only did she have a beautiful, timeless sense of art. . . she also creates for the viewer and idea of how women went about their respective roles
Jun
29
INTRODUCTION VIDEO!
June 29, 2011 | Uncategorized | 251 Comments