Today I look at some self-proclaimed avant garde "radical feminist" artists. In light of what I see a lot of around Facebook, I ask you a few simple questions. How can it be that in the year 2017, almost 2018, misogyny and mistreatment of women still seems to be prevalent, accepted, and propagated? I won't get into what provoked me last night surfing Facebook to post this, except to say it was a photo-shopped, 'ENHANCED' post that got the attention of both men and women alike. What worried me were the responses, both male and female, that were being made, derogatory comments, not admiration comments of the female body (and not-yet-women even), but an objectification and ridicule of it. Am I being too sensitive? I don't think so. Take a look at the current news right now and the scandals going on in the "civilized" country of the good ol' USA regarding the treatment of women. "What year is it?" I often ask myself. And why do posts like the one I saw last night get the most comments and interaction?
Beyond that, take a look at these artists and the running theme that they needed to change their names and sometimes even appearance in order, as Lynn Hershman Leeson stated, "to simply to become 'themselves'.” Not pretty enough to too pretty, it seems women still can't earn a break. Hannah Wilke, for example, was critiqued for being too pretty to be taken seriously. "Because the conventionally stunning artist incorporated her own body into her work, often nude, she was constantly accused of being narcissistic and flaunting her appearance" and "encountered throughout her life that she was too beautiful." And Valie Export said that in order for women to achieve a self-defined view of themselves and a different view of the place of women in society, that women must participate in "the construction of reality via the building blocks of media-communication." I'm sad to say that the post I saw last night and the commentary is not succeeding in building blocks but instead, knocking them down. What say you? Women should be able to be who they are, sexually, sensually, and intellectually. So why the constant sarcastic poking of the female body parts, as if they are nothing more, especially if they don't fit some stereotypical idea of beauty or poise? "8 Radical, Feminist Artists From The 1970s Who Shattered The Male Gaze" by Priscilla Frank
1 Comment
Samantha
12/2/2017 17:29:47
Fascinating.
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I LOVE to write and read. I particularly enjoy reading erotic romance that has tons of emotion in it. I hope you will ask me questions and share your favorite authors and novels. I welcome all feedback.
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