Back in February, I read an article written by Brigid Schulte talking about the challenges creative women face. I would argue that those challenges exist but are confronted by more than just creative women. Indeed, men seem to navigate this world with seemingly unimpeded time to themselves. In contrast, women are often limited by the "duties" and "expectations" of home and their innate instinct to care. There are many arguments to make for either, but the latter, in essence, is, to this day, in this day and age, true. The article is quite interesting and lists some of the ways women artists that became famous managed their homelives and their art. The outline shows that this was not an easy task.
Going back to the creative women disparity, it seems that there are so much less talked about or "famous" female artists compared to men. During high school, the most talked-about authors, painters (if discussed at all, sadly), chefs, inventors, etc. … are mostly men. It feels as if the world is looking upon them in a different light. It often results in inhibiting the creative powers many of us –may—possess by not reinforcing capability and self-confidence.
Anyway, to make a long story short while trying to avoid becoming a ranting, lecturing feminist, this article made me think about Jenny Holzer, an American conceptual artist whose "Word Art" is created as an exploration and questioning of contemporary issues. Best known for flashing electronic LED sign sculptures where one-liners call attention to social injustice and shed light on dark corners of the human psyche.
She was in her mid-twenties when she joined the Whitney Museum of American Art's independent study program. Shen then proceeded to create her "Inflammatory Essays" (1977–82), inspired by speeches of the likes of Trotsky, Lenin, Goldman, Zedong, and even Hitler. Trying to reach the biggest possible audience, she limited her "essays" to 100 words and pasted them across New York City Walls, lamp posts, and subway stations.
Her "Essays" were formatted in capital, italized letters, divided into 20 lines, and printed on colorful square paper. Her "Essays" were unsigned – intentionally –to spark debate by the passerby.* While her art is usually cataloged in the context of video art and or electronic media, it is more deeply rooted in several earlier art movements. Some of her more important art includes the "Living Series: "Some Days..." (1981)", UNEX Sign #1 (Selections from the Survival Series) (1983), and the Untitled Guggenheim Museum Installation in 1989. All in all, an interesting and fascinating woman using her platform to reflect an egalitarian ambition in reaching the broadest audience possible.
I hope you have enjoyed the focus on a pretty cool artist. Different, yes. But still pretty cool in my opinion.
In the meantime, while people are still dying at alarming rates, there seems to be a little light at the end of the tunnel. But, even though the critics of the "Stay at Home/Safer at Home" policies are protesting for the reinstatement of their "rights," I think it would be wise to follow the cues of the health professionals and not of some whose sole purpose is the lining of their pockets and possible political benefit of a "never seen before economy." I am pretty sure that we all want a return to our regular lives. I hate to say this, but we will have to put up with it a little longer.
Television personalities stating that staying at home may cause death also, or that opening schools will probably cause 1-2 percent deaths (or something comparable) …. is a despicable and abhorrent thing to say. To imply that some deaths are inevitable because, well, they occur in other circumstances too …. They should continue doing what they do best: be pretty and be quiet. (and that is putting out there lightly). As for our Jefe, let's just say that he should not be as loud in supporting the "protests for opening the state." It is counterproductive and may, in the end, cause the lives of more.
Until next Time, peoples of the page. Be safe. Be kind. Be helpful. And more than anything, stay healthy. Namaste.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/21/woman-greatest-enemy-lack-of-time-themselves
* https://www.artsy.net/collection/jenny-holzer-inflammatory-essays
Find out more about Jenny @ https://www.theartstory.org/artist/holzer-jenny/
https://www.britannica.com/explore/100women/
#JennyHolzer #Videoart #ElectronicMedia #Covid19 #FamousWomen
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