Who defines art?

Samuel Fosso


What counts as art? Who defines the parameters of a specific genre of art? Visiting several museums exposed you all to different types of art and thier specific messages. In class we read the blurb located at the beginning and the end of the Disney-Tishman collection at the National Museum of African Art. Again, what specific words and phrases hint to the defining and establishment of a specific objects as "African" art? What relationship exists between the Disney corporation and the representation of African people? This is one example of the different set of assumptions and investments that a corporation and/or collector that shape the production, exhibition, and consumption of art. Also posted here are a couple of links on contemporary African art. Thoughts?

Disney-Tisman African Art Collection



Text located at the beginning and the end of the Disney-Tisman collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art


Africa Remix
Universes in Universe

Class Space

Great class today everyone. I just found out that our class space is available until 2pm on Thursday, in case you all need more time.

Anne Zhao's Paper

LIST OF ASSUMPTIONS
I assumed that art that was created by women would be much more traditional and uniform.
I assumed that art he would have been created by women would have been done with light, soft and even warm (feminine) colors.
I assumed that the National Museum of Women in the Arts would not embody the stereotype of 'women'.
I assumed that women would work with les messier media like oil paints and pencil.
I assumed that women would not realy make pottery because it is rather difficult.
I assumed that women would not create large scale sculptures.

Anne Zhao
Women Studies 250
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Feminism and Art
I assumed that art that were created by women would be much more traditional and uniform; there would be not much differentiating between each piece of art and artist. I had imagined that women would only paint fruits and/or flowers in garnished bowls or portraits of women and babies, kind of like the painting of Roses, Convolvulus, Poppies and Other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge by Rachel Ruysch. The paintings would be simple, somber and elegant. However I didn’t expect women to paint what they thought of the supernatural like Hollis Sigler in her painting, To Kiss the Spirits: Now, This Is What It Is Really Like. In that specific painting she has a long radiant light painted from the top of the painting to the bottom and in that light people, more specifically women were depicted as if they were leaving their uniform lives and going into another world, or even century where women have more rights and individuality then back then, because other than the light, everything else is dark and dreary, almost black and white even.
I assumed that art that would have been created by women would have been done with light, soft and even warm colors (red hues, yellow hues, orange hues, etc) because normally when you associate a woman with colors, you wouldn’t necessarily picture her in dark, mournful colors, instead they would be depicted in brighter, softer colors like pinks, oranges and even yellow. Normally you would imagine them like Rosalba Carriera’s painting of America, where she depicts a gentle faced woman in pink and white. Whereas on the other hand Clara Peeters’ painting, Still Life of Fish and Cat, the colors are dark and dank like those that I would have expected to come from a man’s paintings instead of a woman’s painting.
I assumed that the National Museum of Women in the Arts would not embody the stereotype of ‘women’. Pink Marble walls, soft golden flowery frames, gorgeous upper class interior (like a woman’s dream mansion). I expected the National Museum of Women in the Arts to show a little more of the individuality and uniqueness that separates women from men, instead I was a little disappointed in that fact that instead of portraying women as a single, they decided to portray women as the stereotype that they have always been linked with.
I also assumed that women would work with less messier media like oil paints, not sculptures, mixed media, chalk pastels and etching. For example, I expected most art created by women to be like Marguerite Gerard’s painting Prelude to a Concert, where the art is less everywhere and more uniform and simple. However when I saw Eva Hesse’s Mixed Media art, Study for Sculpture, I was a little shocked at the idea that she would use so many different medias to portray her idea of art. That is definitely unique.
I assumed that women would not really make pottery although some would think that they do, especially intricate pottery with very detailed designs. In the National Museum of the American Indian it was almost all women made, pottery, paintings, woven baskets and cloth, and so much more. I didn’t expect women to make their own pottery. Having thrown on the pottery wheel before I know how hard it is to create a pot and seeing the final product made by women I am very impressed that some women can actually throw much better than men, even more precise and detailed.

I assumed that women would not create large scale sculptures. However, when I went to the Hirschorn sculpture garden Elizabeth Godfrey proved me wrong. I did not expect women to make such large scaled sculptures that I imagined only men would create. Women when you picture them would normally be imagined as frail and small, people who can hardly lift up a blow torch, however when you see these sculptures you feel as if they were the work of a man’s, if not even better. That surprised me very much.
Relations between feminism and art that were suggested to me were that between different cultures, the relationship between women and art are different. For example when I went to visit the National Museum of the American Indian women were expected to create art, it was more like a woman’s duty to create a gorgeous piece of art, whereas in the other museums, it was apparent that women artists were not looked up upon. Instead they were looked down upon, event the painting itself was degraded just because a woman had painted it even though that piece of work looked just as good or even better, than a piece that a man had painted.
Another relationship between feminism and art that were suggested to me was the link between women and their individuality. In the more contemporary art like the ones that I saw when I went to the National Gallery, women painters showed their individuality and their unique view by creating art that would sometimes be much more abstract than men. An example would be Harmony Hammond’s work with her sculptures made of cloth, wood, acrylic, gesso, latex, rubber, rhoplex, and metal. Her sculptures show uniqueness and individuality because of the way she made them. It really is hard to explain, it is so much more fascinating to see in person so I highly recommend going to the National Gallery and the National Museum of Women and the Arts to see it. Another artist who I saw the same relationship would be Frida Kahlo. A lot of people have heard about her but have never really seen her portraits and paintings up close. Although I have never been a fan of her paintings I do have to admit that they really are unique and portray her life in the most unique manner. I love that her life story and her feelings are bluntly portrayed through her paintings, like the image of her husband and the emphasis of her unibrow. It shows that she has her own unique style that no one can copy and imitate.
Throughout the whole trip my assumptions about women and the arts have been turned around and changed from before. After coming out all four of the museums my views on women and how they create art have changed a lot.

Feminism and Art

Rhea Torreon
WMST 250
February 13, 2008


Feminism and Art

Feminism is a subject that I have always struggled to understand and empathize with. While I support some feminist point of views, such as those that built the foundation for women voting and being taken seriously in the work force, I am nevertheless influenced by stereotypes prevalent in today’s society. My limited knowledge on the matter is littered with generalizations and inaccuracies based on what popular culture dictate including (but not limited to) that feminists are: “butch”, lesbian, overdramatic, and/or overcompensating for something. In this light they tend to be viewed as unattractive to the opposite sex, and can be treated as less than human due to this irregularity of an expected cultural norm. I have found that I am guilty of making assumptions consistent with this perspective during my visit to the National Museum of Women and the Arts. I discovered that I made assumptions about art in general, particularly when related to certain cultures. Women, Indian, African, and pop culture all held some measure of unexpected change of attitude towards women’s art and art overall.
At first, the National Museum of African Art looked somewhat boring, simple, and straightforward. Upon closer inspection many of the exhibits displayed a complexity and diversity that I was not expecting. I assumed that the African artwork would be tribal and primitive. In reality, the exhibits showed fine craftsmanship and used several types of media. Some of the materials used were: clay, wood, ivory, straw, animal hair, bone, cloth, pigment, terracotta, animal skin, plant fiber, dye, and ceramic. Several exhibits incorporated anywhere from two to ten different materials in a single work. The skill and creativity shown was eye-opening and left me in admiration of the carved statues’ intricate details. I also assumed the exhibits would pertain mostly to war-like aspects of African life. While hunting was included, other aspects of lifestyle were shown such as maternity, family, and religion. I assumed there would be a heavy influence of male-powered society and limit the display of females. This was not the case. Many female figures were included and some of them had exaggerated features demonstrating the importance of fertility. The female’s role of raising and nurturing children was also illustrated. I may have underestimated African artwork, but I now have a better understanding of their culture and heritage.
I found the National Museum of the American Indian a little disappointing. I assumed that there would be an endless display of rich, Indian culture. Instead, I felt that the museum contained more gift shops than actual artwork. This may be due to its relatively recent opening. It may also reflect the tragic destruction of Indian culture during the years of the settlers. In regards to the artwork, I was surprised at the different items displayed. I assumed that the majority of art work would include paintings and sculptures. Instead, I found an assortment of items such as: canoes, carvings, moccasins, jewelry, dolls, blankets, baskets, musical instruments, clothing, pottery, masks, animal figures, and weapons. Seemingly mundane objects became works of art before my eyes. The anticipated “cave-men” like illustrations on animal skin were replaced with intricate beadwork on everything from dresses to dolls. The inclusion of a vast range of animals was startling. The animals I could make note of alone include: puma, deer, ram, seal, antelope, caribou, bear, buffalo, turtle, raven, parrot, chicken, bird, polar bear, frog, alligator, snake, crab, horse, eagle, loon, spider, egret, owl, beaver, puffin, and killer whale. I assumed Indians primarily dealt with their main source of foods such as the buffalo and deer.
The Hirshhorn Museum was the most eye-opening experience for me. Perhaps this is because I had more preconceived conceptions about what modern art is. What I thought qualifies as art was completely redefined. I learned to appreciate what I would not have previously given a second glance. For example, there were many paintings I would have considered the work of a two-year old. These works include: enamel on aluminum, geometric shapes on a panel, painted canvases, lines made by colored pencils on linen, and pins covering a book. I found it difficult to see the technical skill required to produce these. After all, they appeared to be nothing more than colored panels of canvas or lines drawn on a white board made to resemble the paper I use to takes notes. I learned that point of view is paramount to understanding why such pieces are considered art. The types of exhibits were surprising. I did not expect to find a stack of televisions flashing the same sequence of images as an exhibit, nor the numerous strange sculptures and objects made from everything imaginable. I assumed art had to be framed and on a wall. The series of structures outside of the museum that resembled iron poles hung together spoke otherwise. My visit to the Hirshhorn Museum had a key role in redefining what I considered art.
As mentioned earlier, the National Museum of Women and the Arts changed my perception about women. Even though I did not want to admit it, I found that I assumed women’s art would be inferior to that of a man’s. Many of the exhibits show equal, if not superior skill to that of artwork done by men. For example, Georgia O’Keefe is considered to be one of the key artists of her time. I assumed that there would be somewhat “girly” (less legitimate) types of artwork. I was surprised by the sophistication of the portraits and landscapes exhibited. I also assumed that the artwork would not be as extensive to include portraits, self-portraits, still life paintings, and sculptures. I did not expect to find art dating back to the 16th century. All these discoveries revealed to me that women had a role in art even when they were degraded in other positions in society. The artwork suggests that the relationship between feminism and art is influenced by many factors such as status, duties as a woman, mother, and wife, surroundings, time period, and historical events. The National Museum of Women and the Arts is not feminist because it does not have exhibits solely concerning gender inequalities, it does not address issues such as abortion, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and rape, and it is not comprised solely of feminist artists. The artworks may suggest the nature of women in the arts and show their accomplishments, but its main purpose is not to fight for equal rights for women.
Each museum shed new light on my perspectives of what is considered art. It was an important experience to redefine my personal definition of art uninfluenced by stereotypes. I have a new found appreciation and understanding of Indian, African, Women’s, and pop culture.

Assumptions List:

I assumed that the African artwork would be tribal and primitive.

I assumed that the African museum would pertain mostly to war-like aspects of African life.

I assumed there would be a heavy influence of male-powered society and thus limit featuring females in African art.

I assumed that there would be an endless display of rich Indian culture and the National Museum of the American Indian.

I assumed that the majority of Indian art would include paintings and sculptures.

I assumed Indians primarily dealt with their main source of foods like the buffalo and deer and that they were not connected to nature in way that they are aware of all the creatures in their surroundings.

I assumed “art” had to be intricate in display.

I assumed art had to be framed and on a wall.

I assumed women’s art would be inferior to that of a man’s.

I assumed that there would be somewhat “girly”, and therefore less legitimate, types of artwork.

I assumed that women’s artwork would not be as extensive in variety to include portraits, self-portraits, still life paintings, and sculptures.

I assumed women’s art dated back only so far.

Alicia Assumption List

American Indian Assumptions:
I assumed that the building would be more modernized.
I assumed dresses would cover all parts of skin of the women and be very conservative.
I assumed the Native American dresses would be simple and plain.
I assumed it was not that big of a deal to produce dresses for women to dance in.
I assumed women and girls made clothes and did housework only.
I assumed native tribes would not celebrate American/ Christian holidays if they were being kept in confinement by the American government.
I assumed the Native Americans were very cultural and proud of their culture/family.
I assumed women would not be as important as men in the Native American culture.
I assumed dresses would have all native colors, not red, white and blue.
I assumed women were kept away from the knowledge of war and battles.

Hirshhorn Assumptions:
I assumed that the artwork would be interesting.
I assumed there would not be anything related to women specifically.
I assumed the artwork would be abstract and detailed.
I assumed real art to be more than simple colors and lines.
I assumed art to have crazy meanings and insights into the author’s feelings.
I assumed art to be solid, concrete art as in paintings, sculptures, murals, etc.

African Art Assumptions:
I assumed there would be slavery pictures or representations.
I assumed women in African culture would have a strong role in society.
I assumed that African culture was more close-knit and equal.
I assumed there would be vibrant colors in all artwork.
I assumed art would consist of images of family life.
I assumed women would be depicted with natural beauty and love.
I assumed women would be a popular theme in the artwork.
I assumed the museum to be about African Americans, not African culture.

Women and the Arts Assumptions:
I assumed there would be a lot of pictures of naked women.
I assumed there would be only beautiful, strong looking women in pictures.
I assumed there would only be pictures of and by women.
I assumed everything would be pretty and pink.
I assumed the pictures would show women favorably.
I assumed there would be beautiful architecture.
I assumed there would be graceful pictures.
I assumed feminism included being anti-male.
I assumed if men were to be shown in artwork they would be shown unfavorably.
I assumed feminism would also include anti-abortion and gay-rights.

Krysten Eshelman

Krysten Eshelman
WMST 250 2:00-2:50pm
Professor Katie King

List of Assumptions

I assumed that the art that was created by women in a feminist movement would be geared toward aggression and their conflict with society.

I assumed that all art starring women would have some aspect of feminism.

I assumed that there would be some artwork created by female artists in the National Gallery of Art.

I assumed that female artists would not use nude female bodies in their own work to portray images of feminism.

I assumed that women would not be shown as submissive in feminist art.

I assumed that there would be a growth in art as women’s roles in history became more powerful.

I assumed that there would be fewer male artist’s that painted pictures of women enjoying themselves in the Renaissance period.

I assumed that a male artist would not be able to capture the true essence of a female in a maternal environment.

I assumed that I would see art illustrating women’s struggles with sexuality.

I assumed that I would see many paintings by male artists of nude female bodies.

I assumed that I would be absorbed into the more abstract art and bored by the contemporary pieces.

I assumed that I would not see any meaning behind feminist art that was not obvious.

Krysten Eshelman

Krysten Eshelman
WMST 250 2:00-2:50pm
Professor Katie King

What are my Assumptions about Feminism and Art?

The definition of feminism is narrowly defined in the Random House Webster’s unabridged dictionary (pg. 708) as 1. the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men; 2. an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women. However, after exploring art from the 16th century to current times in history which has been created by women, features women, or has meaning derived from that of a feminine perspective, it is noticeable that women’s art is much more than a doctrine or movement. Feminist art portrays the emotion and deep rooted life meanings surrounding the overall power of a female from an array of perspectives and studies.
I began my decent into the permanent collection of The National Museum of Women and the Arts. This collection is focused primarily on the Renaissance period of 1500-1800 with a large percentage of the work created by and featuring women of Italian, German, French, and Swiss heritage. It is clear to say once you enter this museum that it embodies the feminist movement, from the early days of struggle when women were merely objects, through time to where women have emerged with eminent power and a voice that is not only heard, but it is seen and felt as well. Through art, women have been able to express themselves in ways which may have been thought to be preposterous at their time of existence.
In the early to mid 1500’s, it was not surprising to see that women featured in the portraits were dark with somber expressions. They were doughty with no bright hues in the face, and nothing extraordinary that would make them stand out at all, let alone with any radiance. Noticeable when first entering the exhibit were two portraits, “Portrait of Constanza Alidosi” by Lavinia Fontana, c. 1595, and the other “Double Portrait of a Lady and her daughter” by Sotonisba Anguissola having no date(both being Italian artists). Though the portraits were what I had expected of this time period, I was surprised at the grandiose nature of the portrait paintings, and the ornate clothing which they were adorned with. I had no idea that women in this period would be honored with such a gracious gesture. I didn’t feel as if these portraits portrayed aspects of feminism because though they were featured in these portraits, they were only standing there as an object, just as perhaps a vase or a piece of fruit may have been painted. There was no expression, no feeling, except that of an existence with no excitement and no purpose emanating from these portraits.
On the opposite wall of this exhibit was something extraordinary, something that made me think, that struck a deeper meaning. Not only was this piece drawn by a woman, it was a series that seemed to depict the metamorphosis of a woman and the power which she possessed, but may not even know until she reaps the rewards of what she is able to offer through her life. Titled, “Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium”, c. 1719, these drawings featured a stage by stage transformation of the caterpillar to the butterfly surrounded by brilliant insects and voluptuous colorful flowers. You could see the artist bloom through her work. She was expressing her coming of age, not only through her maturity, but through her progression of her talents and being able to express herself to the world in a style that was new to this era. During this time, the 18th century was deemed the age of absolutism and the age of reason, also earning the title “feminine age”. Women at this time were only allowed to pursue an education that would prepare them for jobs as wives and mothers. With this picture portraying metamorphosis, Maria Sibylla Merian, a German artist stepped outside of the box which was being created at this time to express the power which she felt women possessed to make it through the changes in societal status.
Ascending to the second level of the museum I found myself in complete shock and awe to what I was witnessing. The feature exhibit of Paula Rego had to have meaning of some kind other than that which was visual. At first gaze, you see her portraits of what she calls “women”, as men in women’s lifestyle settings. These “women” have broad shoulders, no breasts, square chiseled faces, and wide legs with very large clunky feet, yet they are wearing ballet attire, underwear, high heels, dresses, and skirts. While standing and pondering, I’m thinking drag queens, maybe transgender figures, but as you get deeper into the exhibit, it is about the power women can have over society, men, abuse, political struggle, and intimate situations. Curiosity struck a cord and I began to study her works while I was there, reading and analyzing what she was all about. Certain paintings struck my fancy. The first was that of “Dance with the Ostriches” 1995. The ballerinas in the pastel painting were depicted from Walt Disney’s Fantasia, 1941. As I stood wondering why ballerinas, one of the ultimate figures of beauty and grace had the structure of a body building man along with the facial features of just that, I read into her reasoning. “Rego reframed Disney’s vision of women as models of grace and lyricism into her own view of women as the embodiment of will and power” (taken from Women in the Arts magazine, winter 2007, pg. 11). The masculinity of the portrait gave the essence of that which has been so apparent throughout history, that males were the power figures. By giving her women male-like qualities, she was able to express that power which masculinity so common took on as one of its prime characteristics.
The next Rego painting I encountered was “The Cadet and his Sister”, 1988. The portrait shows a woman tying a young man’s shoes, getting him ready to go somewhere. Just looking one would think that she is his caretaker, playing a motherly role that of which is her job at this time, just as many women primarily had the role of mother and caregivers in the 20th century, which was the setting of the painting. Rego chooses to portray the power of feminism through small details in the picture. The caption of the painting reads, “His older sister is seeing him off. She is in charge. He is vulnerable, but she bosses him around and sees to it that he gets to the right place. The gloves (on the ground) in the picture give her all the power. Her handbag is something she can snap things off with. It’s a snapper off handbag.” Clearly Rego is telling us that a woman is capable of taking charge and leading the way, while a man does not need to tell her what to do in order to see that it is done properly.
Finally, I came to one of the more dramatic paintings in Rego’s collection; it was a two part series. “Red Monkey beats his wife” and “Wife cuts off Red Monkey’s Tail”.
This was an instance where she had animals acting out a human incident. This dealt with the difficult subject of domestic abuse. A husband beats his wife and the women after repetitive abuse takes that ultimate revenge, not only to regain her pride, but to strip him of his manhood, and all the power he used to hold over her. “You can get away with so much more truth and cruelty if you dress people up as animals” Rego stated in 1981.
My second stop was the National Gallery of Art. Expecting that I would see art from all genres and eras, the museum was based primarily around the Renaissance and Medieval periods. I felt no instances of feminism when I first entered this building. It was cold, dim, and drafty, like that of an ancient castle, the ceilings were extremely high, and each exhibition room I entered seemed gloomy, sparking the feelings of wonder for why a gallery with so much history, was not more lively and proud of the treasures it encompassed. I did not find myself wondering why the artists had painted or drawn what I was seeing. Each creation was self explanatory, most with a religious motif, and not one female artist in the entire venue could be found. The captions told the viewer who was in the picture, and what they were trying to evoke, so it did not take any mental taunting to decipher what was going on, I was not able to conjure anything from my imagination as to any alter meanings behind what was being viewed. I found myself bored, as opposed to my first stop where I had been intrigued with what was being displayed.
Though feeling dissatisfied that there was no evidence of feminism in this monstrous cave, I was determined to find something that embodied the essence of that which defines the concept. I crept deeper and deeper into the gallery, and finally found a very dark, small room, which seemed to be hidden, there was no one else around, and I did not hear a sound. On the wall in the corner hung a painting entitled “Venus Consoling Love” 1751, by French artist Francois Boucher. This depicted Venus (goddess of love) mothering three cherubs. You could see her maternal instincts in the way she was cradling the one against her bosom, while laying her hand in a tender manner on another, while the third and final cherub was drawn into her eyes by the nurturing spirit which she was providing from her maternal soul. Her eyes spoke of love, love of a mother, and the concern that her children were cared for, that they were consoled of their worries, and she could heal them with that certain love which only a mother can grace her children with. The picture was serene, with light colors and an airy background. The focus was of woman and her consoling ways of love. Though created by a man, he was able to pull the elements into this painting of that which only a woman can evoke certain emotions of maternal power.
As I was exiting, I became awestruck, I ran into an amazing sculpture in bronze. “Isoult” c.18th century stood proud (all 9 feet or so) in the atrium above a small animal.
Young age and the innocent pose of her nude body, along with the female goat which was accompanying her represented virility, youth, and innocence; all characteristics which represent the female body in its young days, a symbol of purity and beauty.
The Hirshorn was next on my agenda. Currents: Recent Acquisitions exhibit embodied the word feminism. This is what I had been searching for my entire exploration, art which showed female power with political, social, and sexual qualities which made me realize that women could produce and star in art just as powerfully as men could in the artist’s realm. Once I began examining, I found myself mostly disturbed at what I was seeing because it was so odd, rather than being absorbed like I thought I would have been. It was very perplexing and difficult for me to see some of the pieces about female sexuality and homosexuality which these women artists were depicting in photos and short film. The first item I came upon was “Eye Body: 36 Transformative Actions” 1963, by Carolee Schneeman. “She was a pioneer of early feminist practice in the 60’s and is known for her provocative works where she explores the female body and it’s sexuality through performance and photograph”(taken from the caption). In this series of photos she had used random materials and placed her nude body into each environment she created to show the body as a material, something that is used, and most importantly to explore female sexuality. Some of these photos seemed to be about death, as she surrounded herself with skulls and bones, maybe death to show rebirth of female power; self exploration, as she would be spread over bed with her legs open; some she was encompassed in plastic, as to show being trapped in a sense of women’s rights and the struggle to be known and heard; and various others accompanied these pictures.
Ana Mendieta was a Cuban-born artist who had not only photographs but short film displayed as well. Reading some history about her I found that she “used her performances to evoke ancient rituals and acts of self-assertion. She was inspired by the loss and relocation and her position as a figure informed by two remarkably different cultures” (taken from the Hirshorn bio page). One of her series featured a woman smearing blood down a wall forming a doorway shape, she disappeared once complete. I felt a sense of displacement from this picture, as if she had nowhere to go. The short films featured her naked body and blood. The first she put a rock in a hole, poured blood over it, and then placed her naked body in the mud over top until the film ended. I feel she was trying to portray emotions of a torn heart and agony that women go through with their emotions during times of pain, perhaps that vulnerability they feel once left alone. The second film she poured blood all over her body, then rolled in feathers, this was all she did for the duration. Perhaps in this piece she was expressing the opposite of the previous film, now she was being embraced after an experience with a struggle, she had been able to overcome heartache and move on, she was able to stand free. All of Mendieta’s pieces were “Untitled” and made in 1974 and 1975.
My final visitation leads me to The Museum of the American Indian. I chose to focus my visit on the exhibit featuring native women’s clothing, specifically that of dresses throughout history. In the Native American culture, women were the matriarchs of their families, for centuries they provided for their families by designing clothing for themselves and relatives. Female tradition was passed down in this culture through dress design, so it was very important for younger females to study the ways of their elder women when designing dresses. I felt as if this embraced feminism through a large portion of the exhibit, for it was showing the impact which women had in their culture.
Sioux Indian women would use the turtle on their garments as a symbol to specifically protect a women’s health, while women of the Piegan tribes would use elk teeth in their designs to show fertility. They would attach to their garments these symbols which represented what being women stood for. They were proud of what they did with their design skills, and displayed if for everyone to see. Native American women began to gain even more power and respect in the 19th century. Trade networks began to supply these women with a variety of expensive, highly prized materials from all over the world. Women being able to obtain these trade materials directly showed an extreme measure of respectability for her family and herself. An event of this sort in history shows that they were gaining social power, most importantly from white men, which was unforeseen before this time.
There were two particular styles of dresses that stood out to me. The first was that of the Kiova Battle dress. Women relatives of warriors of the Ton-Kon-Ga, which was an old military society, wore these dresses to brag on the deeds of their men. It was their responsibility to honor him once he had a great victory. I felt this downplayed feminism. A woman being ordered to do anything that glorifies her man, rather than choose her own way to express her gratification seems to be a downplay on women’s rights. The second dress, the Ghost Dance dress stood for political voice which the Paiute women began to express. This particular dress was the voice for native women to be able to speak out against the cultural changes that were being forced on them by the European society. It was a way for them to lobby for rights which they felt they had earned but were being stripped of. Overall, I felt the spiritual power which seeped from this exhibit. It was as if these women’s spirits were in the room with you, as if they were wearing these clothes and telling their stories. It was a very eerie feeling, yet I felt so honored to be standing in a room where women seemed to be so powerful in their culture, and most importantly….respected.

Assignment One

Lauren Kessl
2/10/08
WMST250 Sec. 0108

The unique historical struggle of women in cultures of the past and present has been the striving to be recognized in an inherently male-dominated society. It is a grand accomplishment for women to be accepted graciously into previously androcentric worlds, such as in art museums for their passions and crafts. In visiting the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Hirshhorn and Sculpture Garden, and the National Gallery of Art, I experienced the wonderful contributions of women to the artistic world, as well as the influences of feminism on art in general and in the perceptions of a changing society.
I visited the National Museum of Women in the Arts and was first impressed by the grandeur of the building itself. The architecture was aesthetically pleasing and powerful, seemingly to emphasize the power and beauty of women as artists and as people. In the permanent collection, I observed a self-portrait painting by Alice Bailly in which half of the woman's face is blurred and unrecognizable, and her breasts are defined though the rest of her body is not. This was surprising to me considering my assumption that most strong women artists or feminists would be proud and certain of their identity as women in society, though this woman seemed to be in crisis about who she was or how she should be defined. I also observed a painting by Marguerite Thompson Zorach called Nude Reclining, in which a full-figured woman lays nude on a couch in a slightly submissive pose. Initially I was startled due to my assumption that most women or feminists would find it exploitive to portray women in this pose, nude, recumbent, and youthful with disproportionate hips. On the other hand, the position of her arms and the rest of her body could be seen as sexually empowering and strong; therefore I am unsure of the message of the artist in this work, but either way, it disturbed my assumptions. Currently there is an exhibition of works by Paula Rego, whose works feature realistically proportioned women in scenes that discuss human emotion and the complications of daily life. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is feminist in that it is the only one in the world exclusively dedicated to women artists. In addition, the majority of the subjects are women portrayed positively and in ways that may test roles and stereotypes of gender. Some are portrayed with great power and superiority, as seen in portraits from earlier centuries in which noblewomen are depicted with beautiful elegance and grace, exquisite clothing and jewels and grand headwear. The museum serves to celebrate the accomplishments of women in art throughout history.
I then visited the National Museum of the American Indian and was impressed by the architectural design of the building as an art work itself. The museum is still new and so the collections are not as grand as they will be, but I enjoyed the highlighting of various communities within the American Indian culture and also how it attempted to present the culture in a way that defied ethnic stereotypes. I observed the passionate crafts of native women in making pottery, clothing and jewelry among other works. This museum features many artistic contributions of women and currently features an exhibition called “Identity by Design: Tradition, Change and Celebration in Traditional Women’s Dresses”. The exhibition views the dresses as extensions of identity and culture, and portrays women as benefiting not only their families but also their entire community. The National Museum of the American Indian is feminist in that it represents women as empowered members of their native societies. However, I was surprised in that gender stereotypes of women as homemakers, cookers, cleaners, preparers of clothing and so on were seemingly perpetuated, but I would think one would try to avoid this when recognizing women artists. The American Indian museum does not strive to advocate feminist ideology in particular like the Women in the Arts makes a point to do, but in giving native women the opportunity to express themselves uniquely through their art they have advocated it to some extent.
I visited the National Gallery of Art and although none of the current exhibitions feature women artists in particular, they are somewhat equally represented in the collection do to the vastness and magnitude of the museum. I observed several paintings by Mary Cassat and enjoyed them due to the candor with which she paints her portraits, and the realistic representation of the women in them; they are not idealized or romanticized. I do not believe the National Gallery of Art makes a point of perpetuating feminism or recognizing women artists in particular as opposed to artists in general. Men represent the majority of the collection, but many female artists are shown also. Men and women are portrayed positively and negatively, in varying degrees of power, some are exploited, and some are put on pedestals.
I visited the Hirshhorn and Sculpture Garden and was startled emotionally by a few artists in particular. Willem de Kooning created several works with women as subjects that seem to portray them negatively or otherwise exploit them in some way. One painting revealed a simplistically sketched woman whose face was unrecognizable, with jagged, angry-looking lines that distort the body and appear to pull the woman from all sides or otherwise contain her. I assumed that feminists discussing the sexism and exploitation by men and male artists of women were exaggerating, but I surprised to find that this artist and others seemed to perpetuate societal patriarchy in their works. On the other hand, a painting by Tom Wesselmann entitled "Bedroom Painting No. 38" seemed to portray a woman in a very positive and strong light, perceptualizing feminist concepts of independence and personal power. However, my assumptions were startled because I figured that a woman portrayed in such a way would better fit a feminist ideology if she were not wearing so much heavy makeup and did not have such perfect features. Similar to the National Gallery, within the Hirshhorn the concept of perpetuating feminism and the importance of recognizing female artists as opposed to male does not seem to be an issue. Women and men are represented fairly equally and as subjects are perceived with varying degrees of negativity and positivity, strength and weakness.
We as people are sometimes hasty to judge, opinionize, and formulate assumptions about the way things are or the way things should be, and we often fail to grant our quick judgements enough consideration before they transform themselves into solid beliefs. Therefore it is important to provide oneself with opportunities to challenge assumptions, whether or not one recognizes they exist, by learning and experiencing new situations, or viewing old situations in a new light. Visiting art museums and concentrating on art by women and perceptions by artists of women was a wonderful opportunity to challenge societal assumptions of art and feminist ideology.

Assumptions:

I assumed that in recognizing women artists, gender stereotypes would be avoided.

I assumed that feminists exaggerated the sexism and exploitation of women by male artists

I assumed that many feminists dislike men.

I assumed that feminism seeks to eliminate societal gender rules.

I assumed that many feminists think men are generally sexist.

I assumed that many feminists think men feel they are superior to women.

I assumed that feminism believes that modern culture and the media exploit women by advocating gender stereotypes in film, etc.

I assumed that art by women has been historically less accepted than art by men

I assumed that women have gained equal status to men in the present era.

I assumed that feminists were proud and certain of their identity as women.

Assignment 1: Assumptions about Feminisms and Art

Daniel Kelly
Assignment 1: Assumptions about Feminisms and Art

History has laid a framework of societal norms and practices, that have inherently created an unequal balance of power between genders. Religions, political structures, economies, and Western thought all contribute to a level of complacency creating an unequal relationships between man and woman. As a white male I have been granted certain “luxuries” in life, not earned through intellectual skill or thought, but from birth. My definition of feminism includes ideas, art, literature, and expression that deals with the unequal treatment of woman based on gender. Feministic art confronts the unequal treatment of woman based on gender through metaphor and artistic expression. Art by women is not necessarily feminist art; feminist art can confront gender roles, create an underling message of social change, question societal norms about women, or change what art is “suppose” to look like. As a white male I understand that there are many things I see and hear regarding feminism, that on the surface I will have no idea what to see or think. I am blinded by the many memory managers in my life that have contorted a world of equality and justice. This assignment has narrowly open my eyes to those assumptions and opinions I hold towards the idea of feminism. I have been taught a certain way to behave around the ideas of feminism and art. A wave of intimidation can be brushed off by crude remarks and joking behavior. Society defines masculinity with power and prestige, while the arts and femininity are viewed has negative characteristics for a “man” to embrace. These unjust “societal norms” are not the driving force behind my current ideology, but I cannot deny the existence of these thoughts in my life and worldview. As I began my journey down the orange line metro, I understood an existence of deep skepticism and fear towards this assignment. As a male brought up through society, I am inherently blind towards the art and ideas I was going to see.

I must thank my mother for accompanying me on this journey, I was able to enjoy a beautiful day in the District with her, while discussing and contemplating the artwork in front of us. We crafted a strict itinerary and crafted a plan to view five museums: National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Museum of the American Indian, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of African Art, and the Hishhorn. We started our journey precisely at 10am in front of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

As I entered the building and paid a small fee, I was greeted by a kind receptionist who decorated me with pamphlets and brochures outlying the structure of the museum, upcoming museum programs, performances, and the new Paula Rego exhibit. The ground floor included several portraits, mostly portraying woman with some animal or child in her lap. These paintings seemed normal to me, as a child I took many field trips to the National Gallery of Art, and the women portrayed looked very similar. But one painting on the ground floor did catch my eye, unlike the other portraits which included animals or children, too me indicating a sense of motherhood, but this painting showed a woman with a piece of literature in her hand. This painting sparked my imagination, I began to question the idea of what constitutes feminist art and what is art by women. It was early in the morning and I decided to move to the next floor before I made a strict decision.

My favorite and most memorable memories during this assignment came from the Paula Rego exhibit. The ground floor created a “conservative” ideal about the artwork I thought would be shown in this museum. My assumption was wrong, the women in Rego’s exhibit were powerful, bold, and muscular. When I viewed these paintings the faces were well defined, had a bold bone structure, and a deep muscular tone. This depiction was contrary to my view of a ballerina. For a second I thought I understood what feminist art is, and the message behind it. Society has created an “ideal” image of women, and how they should look, dress, and socialize. Rego’s exhibition was both sweet and sinister at the same time, including pictures of fairytale characters, mixed with paintings depicting dog-like howling women. As I moved on to the private collection, all I could think about was Rego’s exhibit, her art was loud and memorable. The private collection included some feminist pieces mixed with art by women. One piece told a story of a son and mother depicting incest, “typical” cheerleaders doing leg kicks, and an athletic gymnasts. I tried to understand what all the art in the private collection was saying, but some pieces such as the black waterfall structure kept me baffled. The others floors of the museum were surprisingly bare, the top floor consisted of a small room of books, dealing with issues as recent as 9/11. I would argue that the National Museum of Woman in the Arts is indeed feminist. The museum itself is the only museum solely dedicated to women’s art. The NMWA has played an important role in changing the impression of what is art. Until the 20th century men defined what constitutes art and the role women play in art. The NMWA is a political statement challenging the status quo of gender in art. The exhibits is host to individual pieces of art that depicts feminist viewpoints, but at the same time it celebrates “high art” done by women. Since the NMWA is revolutionary in what art they place in their museum, it would be a feminist museum because it challenged art history all the way up to the 20th century.

After I got back onto the metro I made why way through the National Mall and visited the Museum of the American Indian. As a walked up to the museum I was stunned by the architectural build, its color was of burnt brick, and the rounded shape reminded me of a Midwestern flat. As I made my way to the front I noticed a row of teepees. I actually thought this was surprising, after the NCAA ban on Indian mascots and the image of the “noble savage”, I assumed these teepees were set up for entertainment value rather then cultural. I felt the teepees acted as a familiar compass to explain what kind of museum it represented, to those walking through the mall. When I entered the museum I picked up a few informative papers regarding the museum’s exhibits and schedule of storytelling performances. We did not have enough time to visit Mattew Nicolai’s string performance, so we ventured to the Contemporary Life, Our Universe, and Our Peoples exhibits.

These exhibits explained cultural history through different tribal accounts, laid a framework of Indian cultural life, and discussed cosmic philosophy. These were all fascinating exhibits, before this experienced my knowledge of American Indians was bare. I read clippings about alcohol abuse, higher suicide rates among American Indians, drugs, and reservations. But I never viewed the other side of the story and appreciated the vast history and influences of the American Indians. The last exhibit I viewed before I left was the Identity by Design Exhibit. This exhibit was full of beautiful and well made dresses by Native women. One sign that caught my attention explained a girls path to becoming a woman. Dress making was a vital step in maturing into a Native woman, the creation of a dress represented a change into womanhood. One woman’s dress took over seven years to make! From these four exhibits I defined a Native woman’s place in society was based upon her communal activities such as watching the children, sowing clothes, and cooking food. Women especially used their artistic skills within the community to promote their cultural identity. I would consider the Identity by Design exhibit feminist because of the meaning behind the dresses. In the American Indian culture these dresses represented unification, style, experiences, and beliefs. Through the process of dress making and dancing, women play an important role in tradition and teaching. This exhibit represented the cultural bond women had within American Indian society.

My last three stops included the Hirshhorn, National Museum of African Art, and the National Gallery of Art. The exhibit Body of Evidence was shut down at the African art Museum, so the only open collection came mostly from artwork donated by Disney. Almost all the art depicted the male form, and on few occasions emphasized the male genitals. I became very skeptical of the National Gallery of Art after experiencing the MNWA. Some rooms had walls colored dark blue, all the art I saw was completed by a man, all the woman portrayed were ideas formulated from a male perspective. I felt angry and disappointed after I felt the National Gallery of Art. Gender inequality in art now had a tangible variable associated with it, women artists were few, and their art was not taken seriously. Family values and social structures have deep ties in history, and after I left the National Gallery, I had my doubts if gender equality could ever truly exists. My fifth and final museum of the day was the Hirshhorn. Here I viewed the sculptures upstairs and the Recent Acquisitions on the bottom floor. The top floor consisted of mostly “high art”, but I did recognized a piece of “black waterfall” sculpture from a female artist who was also featured in the NMWA. Downstairs had some very interesting pieces of art. I had to do a double take on some pieces to find an artistic value, while others were shocking and right to the point. One woman carved multiple names into her body and used note cards to capture their names in blood. Each name represented a victim of a hate crime. A feminist piece consisting of multiple frames that caught my eye was by a woman who depicted a story of a nude woman suffocation in a plastic bad. These pieces of art were both shocking and memorable. The name carving fought for justice for equal treatment for women, homosexuals, African Americans, and anyone affected by a hate crime. The other piece showed how being female creates a suffocating life within society where your sexuality holds you back. This piece would be feminist because it argues that the female body is creating unequal treatment and sexism.

The Hirshhorn completed my five museum journey through the District. Looking back, I enjoyed the American Indian Museum the most. Visually it offered a unique insight into the American Indian culture, philosophy, and their worldview. The Hirshhorn, American Indian, and NMWA museums all offered a different an unique perspective into feminism. Each in its own way gave me a broader understanding of what feminist art is and what it means. Culturally the American Indian exhibit expressed the importance of women artistry in its community. The Hirshhorn dealt with issues of women sexuality, gender roles, and homosexuality. The explicit realistic art in the Hirshhorn added a deeper level of emotion that I wasn’t able to grasp at the NMWA. The NMWA is a symbol of feminism, it alone carried and still carries a strict collection of only female art. This art was neglected and rejected only until recently, and the percentage of female artists is still below acceptable values. Women’s art has a voice at the NMWA, feminist pieces mixed with “high art” by woman all exemplify a greater notion of women equality in the area of art and society.


Assumption List

I assumed that I could not fully comprehend feminist art because society has molded me into a certain personality that hasn’t necessarily dealt with problems that feminist art tackles. I found this assumption to be true. While I was at the Hirshhorn and NMWA there were paintings and sculptures that I felt had a feminist connotation.. Two examples were the plastic bondage pictures at the Hishhorn, and the Paula Rego painting of the howling wolf-like women. As I examined these pieces I couldn’t always find an answer.

I assumed the floor would be pink when I entered the NMWA. According to my perspective I thought the floor was peach and didn’t insinuate a gender correlation to the color pink. Society has deemed the color pink as a feminine color, blue a masculine color, and yellow as a neutral color. But the color of the floor seemed more neutral then feminine to me.

I assumed that the NMWA would be similar to the paintings I saw as a child, taking fieldtrips to Washington D.C. The paintings on the ground floor first supported my thesis, but the Rego exhibit completely blew away any assumption I had regarding the art I would see in the NMWA. The women were bold, intimidating, fierce, muscular, and I would consider masculine. Her artwork was a great place to start at, giving me a perspective on what feministic art is, and what it is trying to say.

I assumed the NMWA would be bigger than it was. I paid $8 and was disappointed about the lack of exhibits on the top floors. Without the Rego exhibit my opinion on the NMWA would have been different. The permanent collection would have been sufficient to do this assignment, but I would have expected more.

I assumed the teepees outside the American Indian Museum were tasteless and stereotypical. The building was made of beautiful burnt brick and outside were teepees arguably the most recognizable piece of American Indian history. After recent attempts to ban, Indian mascots, the term “redskins”, and the depiction of “noble savage”, I viewed the teepees outside the museum the same way. The teepees were a “tourist trap” intended to catch the eye of a passing pedestrian and educate him on what the building was used for. The Museum was meant to recognize the forgotten culture and influence of the American Indian tribes that once roamed over this land. A stereotypical symbol such as a teepee does not necessarily translate that notion in my head.

I assumed the American Indian exhibit would reference the colonization of their land, alcoholism, gambling, and college graduation rates. The exhibits were positive, it tired to give outsiders a small view into their culture, worldview, gender roles, and lifestyle. It included tribes throughout North America, giving a broad perspective on how large the North American Indian sect really is. Even though the Museum celebrated the cultural and historical significance of the American Indians I was still shocked when no reference was made, regarding the colonization of their people. But I do understand the United States government funded this project so it makes a little sense.

I assumed the National Gallery of Art would have one piece of art by a female. I guess as an innocent child issues such as this never crossed my mind or my teachers every time I visited the National Gallery of Art. The assumption created a deeper understanding on how deep structural inequality really is. The lack of women in art can be predicated further down into society, and eventually someone will need to address this situation and structure.
I did not assume violence could necessarily be art. The woman suffocating in the bag, and the name carving, were both powerful and disturbing at the same time. Is name carving the only answer to getting your message across? I defiantly got a message and an inclination after viewing her artwork. I may have been somewhat disturbed by it, but at the same time I felt sympathy and felt compassion for the people she was trying to revive and help.

I assumed feminist art dealt with issues surrounding gender inequality. But I was unaware of the scope of feminist art that could depict societal roles, body image, rape incest, and beauty. Feminism is on a political, ideological, and philosophical scale. There are many issues surrounding feminism that I did not immediately call to attention, but in actuality represents a large and powerful idea.

I assumed I would be able to go out later that night after my Museum adventure. Contrary to what I thought or what I wanted to happen, I slept like a rock.

Assignment 1

In art history, women have not always been treated equally to men nor have they been respected to the degree that many others have. Women in Art were often ‘invisible’ to their male counterparts and often omitted from historical documentation of art. The achievements of women were undermined and accomplished artists did not receive the recognition that they should have. However, many people began acknowledging the underrepresentation of women in museums and art exhibits and began moving towards the deterrence of such undermining circumstances. Nowadays, the recognition of women artists have increased and the relationship between feminism and art plays a significant role in the world of art. Feminism is the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men (dictionary.com) and though not all museums and exhibits incorporate feminism, many do highlight the accomplishments and achievements of profound women art and artists.

The National Museum of Women and the Arts and The National Museum of the American Indian were both feminist museums showcasing many female artists, their achievements, life stories and contributions to society as a whole. Throughout the museums there were many personal assumptions about art and feminism that were aroused once I was confronted with the art. Many of my assumptions were hidden until I was shaken up or had an emotional reaction to the exhibits, information learned, historical facts and what I actually saw. The National Museum of Women and the Arts is a feminist museum which was founded after 20 years of assembling art by women and wanting to showcase such artists as part of their permanent collection. I was surprised walking into the museum that there was light pink/orange marble and flower accents throughout which seemed rather cliché, however, the depth of each painting, learning about the meanings and struggles women artists went through during this time period overpowered such a cliché. Many of the paintings of women were on dark backgrounds ensuring that all the attention will be on this woman. She was typically dressed up with a laced dress and jewelry depicting her status and wealth; the paintings were given to their husbands and put in their home for ‘bragging rights’ (example: Portrait of Costanza Aldosi, ca. 1595. Lavina Fontana. Italian 1552-1614). Paula Rego is another artists featured in this museum but with her own exhibit. Many of her paintings were striking to the eye due to her array of vibrant colors and use of animals to depict humans. I believe she is one of the artists within this museum to clearly convey her feminist beliefs throughout her paintings. Many of her paintings and pastels featured women with solid more defined bodies and unwelcoming facial expressions, depicting the physical features of men. She refrains from drawing the women with typically model figured bodies embracing eloquence and grace in order to depict women as “the embodiment of will and power,” equivalent to that of a man. Feminism is based on advocating equal social rights to women and men and Rego takes initiative in representing their physical appearance in very similar aspects. The National Museum of the American Indian also displays women’s art and emphasizes women’s contributions to society. This museum was very lively and welcoming, not necessarily displaying art as paintings but through musical and dance performances, traditional art rituals and crafts used by the American Indians in their culture. As I entered the museum, many gathered around a Bolivian group consisting of traditionally costumed men and women. Both men and women engaged together in song and dance in unity, depicting the importance of both song and dance as art as well as the use of men and women together. Art by women plays a significant role in this museum because much of the art in their society such as their typical dresses (Identity by Design exhibit) were made by women for women to tell a story, speak of individual visions, depict family status, tribal values and social/cultural change. The dresses carried on life lessons of all the people who made dresses before them and each pattern and design signified something important. This exhibit and the museum as a whole, I believe is a feminist museum showcasing the roles of women in society and though their roles were different that those of men, they were equally as important to the societies well-being and upholding cultural traditions. Certain dresses were given to teenage girls whose family thought especially well of her, the importance of females was not looked down upon but rather embraced. Feminism is also embraced as the role of women in society is exposed as women are defined as “leaders in the community. We can make decisions because we are always in the community. We’re concerned about the children and what they learn.” This information was presented in the Our Lives exhibition which closely emphasizes the roles of men and women differentiating yet each contributing in significant ways, each having similar social, political and other varying rights.

I believe The National Gallery of Art and The Hirshhorn Museum both incorporated antifeminist aspects throughout their galleries and exhibits. The National Gallery of Art had mainly male artists featured throughout the museum. One painting in particular, The Copley Family (John Singleton Copley 1738-1815) has a women, her husband and three kids present. The woman was showing affection to her children, while the husbands eyes were focused elsewhere, paying no attention to his family. This depiction was common throughout many of the paintings, showing the woman in her role as a wife and mother, while the husband was portrayed of higher status. The Kitchen Maid (Jean Simeon Chardin, French 1699-1779) was of a lady in frumpy clothing, in a kitchen preparing food. One would typically assume a woman to be portrayed in this role, but it was shocking to actually see a non-feminist artist depict such a status beneath that of a man. Many of the sculptures throughout the museum were also emotion evoking, with women’s bodies exposed, a few with their bodies slouched and head facing downwards. This clearly is not feminists because it chooses not to embrace the beauty of a woman as an equal but portrays women in rather stereotypically scenarios. Hirshhorn, I believed was not a feminist museum for various reasons as well. Unlike the first two museums I visited, Hirshhorn did not embrace or emphasize the works of female artists. There was one artist, William de Kooning whose paintings were the most emotion provoking. Many of his paintings used variations of the color pink along with dark, gloomy colors. The women in his paintings were typically distorted, abstract, fading into the background, breasts were large and altogether they seemed a bit degrading to women in general.

Prior to this experience feminism was simply a word with a meaning that I believed in and dealt with in my daily life as a women. Art was considered to be a beautiful aspect of life that many enjoyed for what it was. However, it was not until taking an in depth look at feminism and art did I unveil my assumptions and relationship between the two. Feminist museums not only display art by women but also focus on inspirational pieces denoting the power and importance of women in society.

Assumptions:

I assumed that art museums typically consisted of paintings, drawings and sculptures and would not consist of music and dance.

I assumed that feminism was about being anti-male.

I assumed that many of the museums would focus on more political aspects as we do today.

I assumed that the dresses and cradleboards had designs on them that were simply for decoration purposes only.

I assumed women and men were treated more equally nowadays.

I assumed that a women’s museum would avoid using the color pink in paintings/decorations and visual use of flowers because it seems to cliché.

I assumed many of the museums, feminist or not, to have more women artists on display.

Rosemond N. Boateng
WMST 250 Section: 0108
Katie King
February 13, 2008

Museum Escapade

Reading museums can be tricky; a way to accomplish this is by using one’s own surprises to discover different assumptions about feminism, art and women’s art. In order to be fair in considering my assumptions about feminism and art, I must define what feminism and art mean to me. In my opinion, feminism is the belief of equity among men and women in social, private, political, and economic aspects of life. Art is anything that can be viewed and interpreted in more than one perspective. The museums I will visit in order to discover my assumptions are: The National Museum of Women and the Arts, The National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn, and The National Museum of African Art.

In the National Museum of Women and the Arts, the interior decoration of the museum is definitely feminine but it is not overpowering. When compared to the other museums I would say its interior decoration fits its exhibits perfectly. I assumed that the decorations in the national museum of Women and the Arts would be feminine. I also assumed that women always painted themselves to look beautiful. A series of paintings done by Paula Rego pictured women who looked like men dancing or grooming themselves. An example of paintings like this was “Fantasia” 1995. It was a painting of dancing ostriches from Walt Disney. Another example was Snow White swallows the poisoned Apple 1995. More examples of women who looked like men while performing their daily tasks were: Dog Woman 1994, Grooming 1994 and Moth 1994. These series of paintings made me realize that Paula Rego’s motive might have been to represent women from the past. A time when women had to dress like men to be considered for any serious job.

While I continued my tour at the museum, I saw a painting about African women done by Lois Mailou Jones in 1935. My first instinct was: who are these evil beings? Lois Mailou Jones gave them the most unnatural face one could ever imagine. They looked horrible. I thought that feminist were supposed to promote equality between races but that painting was definitely stereotyping in my opinion. I thought the painting suggested that women in Africa were ugly and unnatural looking. Then I thought about it from another angle. I looked at it as if I had never been to Africa. I thought that to someone who had never seen a true African woman would think that the painting was a beautiful work of art. I also considered the fact that maybe, it was the only way the artist thought she could represent an African woman who she had never seen before.

I assumed that women in the 1600 to 1800 were not allowed to do what was then considered to be a man’s job like becoming silversmiths. There was an exhibit at the National Museum of Women and the Arts made up of silverwares made by women. They were impressively crafted. An example was a set made by Hester Bateman called George III circular salver. The detail work was amazing. If I used the exhibits in this museum to define art, I would definitely say that art is anything done creatively and you can look at it with more than one perspective. An example of a multiple perspective art was the Misericordia 1 by Paula Rego. In this water color women in a nursing home were been looked after by middle age caregivers. In the water color the caregivers’ actions look almost brutal; as if they did not like being care givers. On the other hand one might look at the water color and say that the care givers looked tired after a long day of work.

I think feminism and Art has an unstated relationship. The exhibits in The National Museum of Women and Art show that feminism and art can go together. Most of the exhibits fit the description of feminism. Up coming exhibitions include: Italian Women Artists form Renaissance to Baroque, Katrina: Mississippi Women Remember, Artists’ Sketchbooks and a film titled Like Father, Like Daughter Series: Artemisia.

After leaving the National Museum of Women and the Arts, I went to the National Museum of the American Indian. I was surprised to see that both the outside and the inside of the building were tailored to fit the various American Indian exhibits inside the Museum. I assumed that like the other museums the outside of the building would have nothing to do with what was inside. Art meant a lot to the American Indians. A time ball made by women to mark milestones in their lives was one type of art. I considered that art because a stranger might look at the ball and see a ball made up of strings elegantly tied into knots, while the lady who created the time ball would be able to tell what each knot meant. Everything they made turned out to be art. They even found a way to incorporate art into story telling. They used a string tied at the end to make images of certain things as they tell their stories.

I do not think that the National Museum of the American Indian was feminist. I thought that the women in American Indian societies would have subdued roles like other women around the world during the sixties. I was very surprised that in their culture the women’s role was just as important as the men’s role. To help support their families, the women made clothes and pots to wear and sell. Exhibits in their permanent collection included Our Universe, Our People and Our lives. I do not think that the museum was feminist because I thought it was setup to teach the ways of the American Indians and to keep their heritage alive.

Hirshhorn was the most contemporary museum I went to. It did not seek to keep a particular heritage alive like the Museum of the American Indian. I did not think Hirshhorn was for or against feminism. Their exhibitions did not show any distinction based on whether the contents were feminist related. The only relationship I saw in the museum that had anything to do with feminism was a room that was dedicated to women art. An example of an art in this room was Carolee Schneema’s 36 Transformative actions, and Black Wall by Louise Nevelson. I think they were just trying to honor women in an artistic way, or they were trying to show that they promote art by women and women’s art. At Hirshhorn, the definition of art in my mind definitely changed. I realized that art can be anything you want it to be as long as it was created by some one.

The National Museum of African Art was my least favorite museum. It might have been because their permanent collection was closed, or because I expected more from them. Most of their exhibits only had where it came from, and there was no crafter’s name. I think that the exhibitions are meant to teach visitors about Africa. I assumed that there would be more masked faced sculptures in the exhibits. I do not think that the museum was feminist but I noticed that most of the exhibits that did not tell a story were about women. The current collection include: Rifting, mask and sculptures, textiles, style and identity.

In conclusion the only museum that turned out to be feminist was the National Museum of Women and the Arts. During my visit to each museum, I discovered some assumptions I did not know I had about art, feminism and feminism and art. I assumed that women in the 1600 to 1800 did not do what was then called ‘men’s jobs’. I also assumed that the outside a museum building would have nothing to do with what was inside. I learned that most initial assumptions about a place or thing turn out wrong in reality.






My Assumptions

1. I assumed that the decorations in the national museum of Women and the Arts would be very feminine.
2. I also assumed that women always painted themselves beautiful.
3. Another assumption I had was that all of the art in the museum would be related to beauty and cleanness, but I was surprised to see and exhibit of a woman poring blood on her self.
4. I also assumed that women in the 1600 to 1800 were not allowed to do what was then called a man’s job like being silversmiths.
5. I assumed that like the other museums the outside of the building would have nothing to do with what was inside.
6. I assumed that art has to be non-continuous. I saw a live exhibit of a fire motion.
7. Another assumption I had was that there would be more masked faced sculptures in the exhibits.
8. I also assumed that there were no underground museums.

Feminsim and Art?

What are my assumptions about Feminsism and Art? How was I suppose to answer this question, especially when I do not really know much about art or feminism. The first time I read this question, it was hard for me to understand how I was supposed to relate to this question. Moreover, I questioned what art and feminisms was related to women studies. Then after reading the question and the directions, I became more comfortable with the question. My trip to the various museums in Washington was an event I will honestly never forget. It was memorable particularly because I went alone and at the end of the day, I gained so much knowledge about art, the world and respect for people. At first I did not have any interest going to four museums. I never had any interest in museums and believed going to these exhibits was a waist of my money and time. I wondered why the teacher simply did not show us slides in class of the museum like most teachers would do. But now I understand there’s a big difference between viewing something on a slide show and being in a museum in person. Going to the museum is sort of going back in time because you get a feel of the environment. Each museum had so many outstanding displays and helped me gain more understanding about the meaning of feminism and art.
The first museum I visited was the National Museum of the American Indian. Overall I liked the structure of the Museum before I even set foot inside the building. Outside, visitors could view and admire the building with various symbols of the American Indian culture. Another feature that fascinated me was the size of the museum as I walked inside the building. The museum contains four exhibitions called Our Universe, Our People, Our Lives and Return to a Native Place with important areas to the Native Americans. This museum is definitely feminist because probably ever floor contained information and areas dedicated to women and their craft. Rawaw was amongst the crafts worn by women as a symbol of happiness. The Trariwe was worn by a female as who represents a community leader. The fact that the museum contains so many artifacts about the women of the Indian culture is enough to conclude that the museum is feminist. Not only do they show the craft but they also include information about certain things about Indian women. For instance the procedures Native American women went through to bead. They information about the women were very detailed and informative.

The next museum I visited was the Hirshhorn which is not quit far from the National Museum of the American Indian. Unlike other museums it was very hard to infer what this museum was about because Hirshhorn is a name I never heard before. Unlike the American Indian this museum dealt with more complex works of art. For instance there was a work of art which was a video about ants with color disks. Another display was a swirl pattern made from wired hangers. I found this museum very fascinating because the art works made you think and ask yourself what it is the artist is trying to convey. Further more, simply by looking at the artwork was hard to jump into conclusion whether it was an artwork created by a male or female. A particular artist that I impressed was by is Alexander Calder. I can not really explain the connection I felt when I saw his art works. Maybe it was vivid color or the weird figures with circle on the painting. Although the Hirshhorn contains outstanding works of art, I personally feel this museum is not feminist specifically because there is no area in the museum dedicated to women. The Hirshhorn deals with more complex and abstract work of art probably to entertain visitors and make them leave with curiosity.
Near Hirshhorn was the National Museum of Africa Art which was hard to find because in order to get into the museum, one had to take an elevator to a lower level. The entrance was very beautiful and one thing different from the other museum was the large wishing well in the center. The only thing I did not like about this museum is amount of art work they had to offer. I was disappointed that the collection was very small; I was hoping to see a lot of collection of African Art because Africa is obviously a big continent and I know they have a lot to offer. Overall, the after careful examination of the art work, I personally think this museum is not feminist. Although they had certain art pieces in a form of females, I do not think that is enough to justify that the museum is feminist.
Last but not least, The National Museum of Women and the Arts were very beautiful. I fell in love with the simplicity of the museum and the way everything was arranged. I was very pleased to be in a building dedicated to women and their arts. There were several artists that I feel in love with, for instance Georgia O’Keeffe. Her paintings are very beautiful, I could not stop staring at her art work, and they made me feel happy and relaxed. Another artist was Elizabeth Catlett. I was attracted to her artwork particularly because I did not really come upon a lot of artwork of black women. Without a doubt, the National Museum of Women and the Arts is genuinely feminist. The museum is for women and probably by women. Most importantly it the only museum dedicated the wonderful art work of women in the world.
Going to Washington D.C was an adventure and find it better than sitting in a class and viewing slides. When you go each exhibit you learn more and enjoy what each artist have to offer because you are there in person. At times, you have the option the feel the artworks and examine details that you would not be able to because you were not there in person. I also learned more about the art and feminism by examining how each museum embrace each concept. Although going to the museum was a class project, I see myself returning to these exhibits for personal enjoyment.


Brenda Njinjoh



Assumption about Feminism

1. I assumed that feminism was concept that applies only to women.
2. I assumed that feminism started around World War II.
3. I assumed that feminism was a secret society that grew over the years
4. I assumed that feminism helped created more jobs for women.
5. I assumed that because of feminism, when were capable of working in other areas instead of simply being house wife and caring for children.
6. I assumed feminism wanted more power in the society.
7. I assumed that feminism was a way of living and thinking.
8. I assumed that feminism only occurred in the United States.
9. I assumed that National Museum of the American Indian would not have a lot display for women.
10. I assumed the National Museum of the American Indian was a male dominant museum.
11. I assumed that the National Museum of the American Indian would not have significant information about prominent female figures in the Indian culture.
12. I assumed that the National Museum of African Art would have more arts and crafts of female figures.
13. I assumed that the National Museum of African Art had a particular section for women.
14. I assumed that the National Museum of African Art would prove more information about female artist.
15. I assumed that the National Museum of Women and the Art would display only art of American Women.
16. I assumed that the National Museum of Women and the Arts was smaller and did would not provide a lot of information about women.
17. I assumed that the National Museum of Women and the Arts would not have a large collection of women and their arts from all over the world.
18. I assumed that at Hirshhorm one would be able to distinguish which whether an art work was done by a male or female, but to my surprise, I found it hard to predict.
19. I assumed that Hirshorm would have more work sophisticated works of art for women because the museum displayed complex works of art.
20. I assumed that the Hirshorm museum would be divided in various sections for each sex.
21. I assumed that art had to be complicated to gain recognition.
22. I assumed that art had more to do with painting rather than little things such arrow stick from Indians.

Assignment #1

Assignment #1: What are my assumptions about Feminism and Art?

When I registered for WMST250, my assumptions were completely different from what they are now about feminism’s role in politics, art and the social world. I walked into the class having the immediate assumption of the word feminist involving bra-burning and protests involving the independence of women in shows like Sex and the City. But even through browsing the books for the course, these assumptions began to change little by little. In examining what I once thought versus what I think now, the media and socially constructed opinions had a lot to do with what I thought of the word 'feminism' itself and what the real definition involved. But my opinions were definitely altered through my visit to the National Museum of Women and the Arts, the Hirshhorn, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Gallery of Art, and the Holocaust Museum.

Before visiting all of the museums I decided to get a bit of background from the websites in order to prepare myself. I was surprised at the kind of art that was being presented in the National Museum of Women and the Arts and the Hirshhorn because my assumptions were completely different from what was provided through the websites. As I continued to look at the websites, I noticed that the Holocaust Museum’s website had validated some of my assumptions because it did, in fact, present to me the pictures from the Holocaust and actual artifacts that were recovered. I had noticed these websites had basic information to assist me in preparing for my trip to D.C. and they were extremely helpful in doing that.

In examining the National Museum of Women and the Arts, I was somewhat shocked at what I had seen. I walked in expecting to see a space that did not reflect a woman as "girly" because I assumed that is exactly what feminism was against. But I ended up seeing coral marble and a lot of beautiful decoration in the lavish lobby. The main showing that was happening as I was there was the works of Paula Rego, who is an amazing artist with her life-like depictions of past experiences. I saw a lot of portraits that disturbed me and made me realize what the differences between lots of feminist art were. There was one picture in particular that shook me a bit more than most. It was titled Olga and it depicted a manly woman with a black dress and a violin in one hand and the other hand was holding a little girl between her legs. I was shaken by this piece in fear, but at the same time, I could not look away from it. Although this piece was mind blowing, it caused me to think a lot about my assumptions about feminism regarding what they are versus how this specific experience of expressive art will change them. It made me realize that while women have a specific image in society towards men, they themselves can also flip the tables once or twice. However I did understand a lot more about feminist art through a number of pieces in her collection. My favorite would have to be the family portrait as the women in the family attempt to wake their father as another looks on. This painting reminded me a lot of what the specific role of the woman is in a typical family is and what it should be in contrast. I analyzed the painting for a long period of time before walking away because I wanted to understand my own thoughts about what this painting reminded me of either in my own life, or something I had experienced. It made me think a lot about what society views the average mom as, and through this picture, it was clearly the mother who had been the motivator of the family and the hidden strength of who they were as a whole unit. But, besides the exhibition on Paula Rego, there was also a display of books made of different substances titled Book is Art. This was an eye-opening experience also because of the issues that were confronted in these pieces. The two pieces that moved me the most were about recycling and September 11^th, making me think a lot about our country and our environment. With the September 11^th piece, I felt a lot of empathy for all families involved due to the images and words that were on this “book.” The book that encountered our country’s issue with recycling was made entirely of soda cans, which displayed the many ways in which we could reuse these items.

Visiting this museum was refreshing to me in a way because I was not used to seeing art displayed so strongly, confronting important issues about the feminist movement and other social/political issues. From my visit to this museum alone, I could see a lot of what feminist art was really about. I had a lot of assumptions about what I was going to see that were completely changed when I saw the main exhibition. I had imagined walking in and seeing a lot of art that did not involve women in the pictures. I expected a lot of abstract art displaying dull colors symbolizing the male in the female. But when I had seen a lot of Paula Rego’s collection and the Book is Art collection, I knew that feminist art could not have a particular style or feel to it; that it is indeed, universal. I now know that each feminist artist is different in what they believe in and what they would create.

After visiting the National Museum of Women and the Arts, I went to the Hirshhorn to discover a new perspective. By looking at the rounded building, I did not imagine that it would present such an amazing art experience inside. I had assumed that it would present a more modern twist on what I had seen at the National Museum of Women and the Arts. In seeing the lamp in the lobby, right away I knew it would be just the art I enjoy looking at: abstract. The pieces in the Hirshhorn involved such vibrant colors and different shapes, causing me to enjoy this museum a lot more than I had thought I would. I saw a touch of feminist art as I was looking at some pieces by Ana Mendieta, who uses blood as a main component in some of her art. The museum was streaming a video on the wall of her bathing herself in blood in a wooded area and rolling on the ground in feathers. This piece was interesting in many ways to me because I could not figure out how it made me feel. It was a shocking piece that was disturbing to me, but at the same time, I enjoyed it A lot of her work presented at the museum involved blood and/or nudity. This artist shocked me in her usage of her naked body and blood because I had never imagined a feminist artist such as herself to be rolling in the mud naked. By analyzing her work I had assumed that she wanted to be closer to nature through her body and blood, the component of life.

The rest of the Hirshhorn involved particular shapes and colors that had caught my eye. My favorite painting in the museum was titled Bedroom Painting No. 38 by Tom Wesselmann. The styling of this was smooth and the colors were clear and vibrant. The picture was a close-up of two women; one seemed to be unaware of the other’s presence. This contemporary painting involved the one woman who had had her eyes closed and head tilted back, who also seemed to be in some type of ecstasy; while the other woman was peering through a window observing. I’m not sure whether it was the loud colors or the situation in the painting that drew me to it, but I absolutely loved it and the mixed messages it was presenting. This painting, along with many others, made me think a lot more about my previous assumptions about feminism and how wrong they might have been because of the true beauty I had found from only two museums presenting this type of art.

In visiting the National Museum of the American Indian, I had discovered a different approach to women as a whole. In previously visiting this museum, I knew a lot about the Native American culture and how much respect they had placed upon the women of their tribes. I did not think a lot about the feminist art that I had seen while I was in this museum because it was a completely different vibe. The previous museums, to me, had been all about being different and setting women aside in difference and understanding of who they were. However, in Native American culture, the women are respected very highly because of the strength they bring to their families and their abilities to craft with the natural resources around them. My main interest in this museum was the jewelry and headdresses that were worn by Native Americans during ceremonies. This brought a lot of realization to my mind about how regular Americans regard factory-made jewelry versus what Native American women to in order to prepare a ceremony of honor involving the detailed jewelry that was used. The amount of turquoise and stone astounded me because of how intricately it was placed on garments and necklaces. This is apart of the reason why I believe that the Native Americans are a model as to how women should be seen in society because of the high place women hold in theirs. This museum was inspiring to me not only because it stepped outside of the box regarding feminism, but it presented an equal front between men and women.

When thinking about feminism, I never thought that I would link it to the Holocaust museum because of the vast differences between the two. But I began to see a lot of connections between the feminist art that was in the National Museum of Women and the Arts and some of the pictures of the terror that had occurred during the Holocaust. As I ventured through the permanent exhibit, I noticed the gruesome display videos about the medical experiments that had gone on at the time by Dr. Mengle. I thought a lot about the relation of feminism to the “scientific” experiments that were conducted upon Jewish women. After seeing all of the horrifying pictures, I had finally realized that the women in those pictures had a lot in common with modern feminists because their rights were blocked by the higher authorities, much like some of the prohibition that has happened to some feminist artists. I also had noticed a lot of art from the ghetto camp of Theresienstadt. This camp was for gifted and talented Jewish children. A lot of the art and poems that were recovered from the camp brought tears to my eyes because of how much pain was expressed in their craft. This camp usually advertised itself as a “specialty school” for those in the arts, but when these children would arrive, it would be different. The art was so colorful and most of it spoke of home and family, which was another way for me to think about art in these children’s eyes versus the use of feminist art. After examining this part of the museum, I wanted to make connections from Daniel’s Story to feminism through the real-life exhibit. While in this exhibit, I had gotten chills a number of times due to the events that Daniel had written about in his diary. His family and their rights were taken away without any justification. I had found his story chilling yet, inspiring as well because he rose above the hatred and survived. This is another way in which I see the Holocaust can relate to feminism because of its relations in rising above hatred or any other criticism that has come along. This museum is an inspiring way in which to set aside your differences with others, and come together as one people.

When I visited the National Gallery of Art, I had no idea what I was going to see. I had assumed a million different things before walking in because, being a plainly stated gallery of art, I had assumed it would be a compilation of all of the other forms of art I had seen at the other museums. And because of this assumption, I had also thought that there would be fewer pieces by women on display because of its vague title. I had expected to see a lot of floral, warm colors in the little women pieces that this museum might present to its viewers. But what I hadn’t realized was that it did indeed spread all over the art world in presenting equal amounts of numerous artists. My favorite kind of art, besides abstract, would have to be photography, so when I had seen the pieces by Julia Margaret Cameron, I was in a daze. My assumptions about this specific museum had disappeared because of her picture titled The Mountain Nymph, Sweet Liberty. This picture, originally taken of a painting, was captivating to me in numerous ways. It had given me so many different feelings because of what it represented. The woman in the photograph, to me, seems to be fairly independent and proud. But, simultaneously, she seems to have some kind of secret to hide. It was such a moving piece and I think it was the main impact upon my new ideas of what feminist art is and what its place in society really is.

Through using the resources around the campus and visiting five museums, I believe I have completely altered the way I look at feminism, art, and feminist art. I feel that my assumptions may have been too commercial because of how standard they had become due to what I was seeing in our world today. But I know see feminist art as a liberating experience that is growing and impacting society, waking it to new issues that we need to face together. I belie these museums helped me to shape my ideas to become more open-minded about my surroundings and feminist in itself. I hope that this class will offer me the ability to critically analyze why these assumptions about feminist art and feminism are so common, and what I alone can do to change them.

Assumptions about Museums, Feminism, Art, and Feminist Art

National Museum of Women & the Arts

-I assumed the museum would involve a lot of dull colors

-I assumed this museum would be very “anti-girly”

-I assumed a majority of the art would be painted portraits of famous women in history

-I assumed I would not enjoy this museum

Hirshhorn

-I did not know what to expect from this museum because of its odd title

-But I did assume I would see a lot of vibrant colors simply from its name and how odd it is

National Museum of the American Indian

-I assumed there would be a lot of artifacts

-I assumed to mainly learn about the different tribes, not the women involved

-I assumed to see a lot of weaponry and traditional headdresses/ jewelery/clothing

National Gallery of Art

-I assumed to see a lot of different/cultural art

-I assumed there would be little women’s art in showcase

-I assumed the art would vary and be very smashed together because of the museum’s vague title

Holocaust Museum

-I assumed I would not be able to link this museum to feminist art

-I assumed to see a lot of artifacts and photographs from this tragic event

-I assumed I would see a lot of maps and over-head photos of Europe during this time

-I assumed to see a lot of insight about the chronological order of happenings

-I did not expect to see art.

Feminism

-I assumed feminism was all about making a commotion

-I assumed it was mainly associated with independence and bra-burning

Feminist Art

-I assumed this would involve a lot f different things that were against the “girly” image of women

-I assumed it would be very offensive and outspoken

-I assumed it would involve a lot of politics and social issues that we are afraid to confront