Besides the past six weeks being a complete whirlwind, I took a lot away from this course. More than anything it’s challenged my perspectives about “art,” the constructions of women in art, and most importantly: Female artists. Many of the texts have made me aware of just how devalued women in the arts are and that for as far as we’ve come, we unfortunately have a long road ahead of us.
The way in which women in the arts have operationalized their thoughts and messages was very profound to me. They’ve found a way to “sneakily” (for the less Radical artists) instill their messages into their works. As most modern fems are willing to “fight fire with fire,” many female artists have found a less controversial outlet and, in my opinion, still have done a damn good job of moving women artists forward as a group within themselves.
As I finish up Week 6 and my reading on Nochlin’s “Why are there no great women artists?” something she said really got me thinking. She made mention of feminist art as being much more than a category or “box” to put women artists into. To belittle the movement and to label and categorize it as another branch or period in Art would be a great disservice especially to the creation of something that is far from complete.
Ohlin also makes mention of how far we have come collectively but there is much, much more work to be done. I think this is something we can’t let ourselves become passive about or let slip into the back of our minds.
Two thoughts I’d like to leave with:
“The personal is political.” -Carol Hanisch
A favorite quote from Lady Gaga- ” We are not just art for Michelangelo to carve, he can’t re-write the agro of my furied heart.”
Peace, Love, & Feminism <3
Julia
3:56 pm - 8-4-2011
I agree, I think it is really important to celebrate how far we’ve come, but also realize what we still need to do to be seen as equals in all areas, including the arts, as Nochlin says.
5:48 pm - 8-4-2011
What Nochlin really calls our attention to is how the connection between art and activism is ongoing and how deeply tied to one another they are. Without the inspirational power of art SO much change would fall by the wayside, I think. Since you’re really into Lady Gaga it might be interesting for you to look into ACTUP! and the ways they used art and performance to combat AIDS ignorance in the 1980s. It seems in some ways a precursor to some of Gaga’s work (although she’s her own monster, for sure!)
8:47 am - 8-5-2011
Rachel,
I think you put a name to what I was really trying to encompass. The idea of activism- whatever the way in which you do it- is key to any real change being accomplished.
I will definitely look into ACTUP! Thank you for the recommendation. I enjoyed taking your class and feel like I have an even more informed outlook on women in the arts. Never a bad thing! I hope you have a wonderful rest of Summer!
9:52 pm - 8-5-2011
I love this blog post! First off, YES! Putting feminist art into a “box” or “sub-category”. . .I feel is extremely degrading and unfair. Furthermore, I definitely feel like women NEED to continue to stand up for each other and themselves, and continue to strive for overall equality, not just in terms of art.
From one feminist to another! 🙂