Overview

In 1971, not to be outdone by the big boys of installation art, Judy Chicago, Miriam Schapiro and the feminist project at Cal-Arts commandeered a condemned two story house in Hollywood, CA. Each artist was given a room and a mandate to raise public consciousness of feminist issues.

They valiantly tried to do so. (Links to an external site.)

Check out this short video about Womanhouse:

Feminism was an infant movement in 1971 and it’s members had a lot to be indignant about. Before the social revolution of the late 60s, any woman who didn’t care for the idea of having a litter of kids, then spending the rest of her life as a cook, nanny, dishwasher and a not so happy homemaker was considered “neurotic”, “socially dysfunctional”, “unbalanced”, or worse. That was just one issue. Being trapped in a crappy, low paying job within a culture of pervasive sexual harassment were some others.

Robin Schiff, Nightmare Bathroom Camille Grey, Lipstick Bathroom Sandy Orgel, Linen Closet

Shortly after the show closed the house was bulldozed. A short film and a few photographs are all that remain. Gradually, decades later, the exhibition began to acquire mythic status. Certainly it was the most ambitious, cogent, and politically energized art of it’s day, and there’s been almost nothing like it since. By any measure, this is the art of nightmare, protest and indignation, and nobody who saw the exhibition on opening day would ever forget It.

One might argue that the rigid gender repression that used to define American society has changed for the better in the two generations since Womanhouse was demolished.

Or not.

Your Assignment

In this Discussion, you will select a Feminist artist who does work that you find powerful and interesting. You will then post a 500-750 word analysis of one of her works. If, during your exploration, you discover a different Feminist artist whose work you would rather write about, you may do so..

Before You Begin

Please read the overview about the Feminist Art Movement located at this link:

Feminist Art Movement, Artists and Major Works/The Art Story (Links to an external site.)

Thoroughly read and explore the home page until you are familiar with the Feminist Art Movement. Links to pages about Key Artists in this movement are listed below.

Please note: The internet is filled with information, images, and videos by and about these artists. I encourage you to do additional research about the artist you select. Please cite your sources.

Instructions

Step One: Post an Image

Find an image of the work of art that you plan to write about and post it in your discussion. This will give your classmates a better idea of what you are talking about.

In addition, you may also post a link to a video by or about the artist and their work.

Important Notice

Please do not select images of nudity that might be considered too graphic.

Please only include images that are appropriate within the standards of this institution. I respect your choice of writing topics, but some images may be disturbing to some individuals and too strong to include. Some art is like that.

If you have selected an image to write about, but are unsure whether it is appropriate, please contact me for guidance before you write your reflection.

High resolution images are preferred.

Step Two: Post in the Class Discussion

1. Briefly summarize the key ideas in the work of your selected artist. What is she saying through her work?
2. How does the artist convey her content through her art? Consider her medium and approach.
3. Did this art work make a difference to you, or to your way of thinking about feminist issues, beyond mere amusement or decoration? Why or why not?

Your post must be between 500 and 750 words.

Step Three: Respond to your Classmates

Next, review the posts of your classmates. Post a cogent and thoughtful response to a post by two different classmates (at least 100 words each). Add a new insight to the discussion that helps the reader better understand the artist’s work. To do this consider the following:

• Do you agree with your classmate’s analysis and interpretation? Why or why not?
• Did they leave out something important? If you think so, introduce this to the discussion.
• Did you find something interesting in the post, but you don’t fully understand? Politely ask them to clarify for you.