March 12, 2010,
NYC
Elevation: 80meters
Wednesday night I attended a panel discussion for Dialogues in the Visual Arts, The Issue of the Moment: What is Future for Women Artists?
The Curator:
Susan Fleminger
Moderators:
Judith K Brodsky, Co-Dir Rutgers Inst. for Women and Art
Kat Griefen Dir A.I.R Gallery
Panelists:
Joan Snyder, Painter
Grimanesa Amoros, Artist
Catherine Morris, Curator, Elizabeth A Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Brooklyn Museum
Susan Ball, Program Dir, New York Foundation for the Arts
Larissa Harris, Curator, Queens Museum of Art
There were discussion of many topics. Statistics were presented, from how women artists were making 51 cents on the dollar when A.I.R came into being in 1971 to there are now 51 women artists in the current Whitney Biannual. Women artists have come a long way, yet the glass ceiling still exists. There were a brief lament at the lack of community, at the current generation lack the anger & passion that existed in the feminist movement in the 60s and 70s, hence the current movement is not propelling us forward as it once did. How there are women who won’t consider themselves feminists these days, implying the question if feminism is still alive and relevant.
The lecture left me with more questions than answers.
Are not all art created by women in some way “feminist art?” I understand the feminist art movement refers to the effort and accomplishments of feminists internationally to make art that reflects women’s lives and experiences. It seeks to bring more visibility to to women within art history and art practice. We make art that are always a reflection of our innards, experiences, be it political / social / sexual / cultural / economical and etc. The art comes from within. We cannot not be women then how can the art not “feminist?” We cannot deny our culture nor gender then how is it possible that the art not be a reflection of that?
I wondered if the label “Feminist Art” obscures the quality of the art itself.
At what point would we consider to have finally mastered the glass ceiling and that we are equals as the boys? When there are as many female artists commanding high auction prices? When there are equal numbers of female artist retrospectives in major museums as there are of men? When women artists gets as many chapters and foot notes in art history books as the men? What is the barometer on crossing the finish line? Is the way to get pass the glass ceiling by looking beyond it and disregarding it all together?
There was a question from the audience about “bad boy” artists and Larissa Harris made a reply to it that made me think about the issue of women artist from another angle. Larissa Harris said that the buyers are looking for confirmation in the art that they purchase. The purchase is a validation and confirmation of their own inner archetype. The market is in part driven by the consumer. Then should we not perhaps look at the statistic of women collectors to men collectors and the collecting habits of each category? Perhaps it would be helpful to think about advancement for women artists from the other side as well?
There was a discussion on the lack of community and also of how in light of larger global issues and sufferings, feminist art or women’s status in the arts takes a lower seat on the totem pole. I find the issue of community to not be true as I am part of a collective of international artists who help and support each other. With the technology we have, should we not consider community beyond the local sense but in the global alternative? And when we are a part of the global community, when our minds and heart and work are beyond our physical local, perhaps the sense that women’s plight in the arts will no longer seem insignificant in contrast with global issues of war and injustice. After all, we have the obligation to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. If our art is a true reflection of “the sisterhood” then a global community is perhaps just what we need.
Joan Snyder, both her presence and comments really struck a chord with me. She began her remarks by saying how she is tired of talking about Feminist Art and perhaps because it is still so dear to her heart that is hard to talk about. She says that there will always be the Chuck Close, David Hockney and etc who will annoy us, make us jealous and angry. When these moments occur, her partner reminds her that on her death bed, she will not be lamenting that she did not go to more openings at Leo Castelli’s. Hard work and family is the only thing that Joan Snyder had for us as advice, as a way forward. I find the advice to be valid and true. Is that not the only thing, the only way forward women has ever know? Hard work and family? It is not all we ever clung to and it has been our salvation and our curse. Yet what else is there? What more can we do than to do the work and stay centered and grounded by the ones we love?
I don’t have the answers but would love to have a discussion with you about any of the issues. Talk to me.
*Note of disclosure: my BA is in Theater and Liberal Arts so please excuse me if the questions in this entry seem obvious or too simple and if you have an answer or an opinion, I would love to hear your thoughts.
** Charlotte Raven’s recent article on “How the ‘New Feminism” went wrong” in The Guardian is an interesting read. I don’t know how I feel about the article yet and there are certainly many points that merits a good debate. Perhaps another entry for another day.
