Critique:
“ i – d o l l â€
| Jaz | artist |
Painted each doll with wonder women bikini outfit – each doll has unrealistic hair color. Some dolls are dismembered without legs, arms, and head. Has ideas to use photos as backdrops for scenes and narratives. Considers the painting of the body as “factory work.†Has pictures posted on blog of dolls before and after that are posed/modeled. Toys with lighting. The progress of dolls, placed in various positions. Wants dolls to look like comic books, along with Mattel advertisement, with a political commentary. Observer has permission to do what ever you want with dolls.
Discussion & Feedback: Karen Carpenter’s use of used Barbie Dolls (Film: Super Star). Images are very strong; have a good response. Investigation of a series; images and photos are powerful in their own simple set up, and their meaning. Located in a place of imagination and playfulness; fantastical qualities. Imagination is magical and energetic. Toys shape the future in some ways as they influence and are positioned. They can also become sadistic, strange, and illusionary. The images are pushing a conversation; and yet they do not need a conversation. Only the bra changes (as well as the variety of dismemberment) and shows individuality.
Suggestion: Continue to play and keep it simple. “It is very important to play.†Intention, power, and disinterest.
“A Diplomatic Tight Ropeâ€
| Jennifer | artist |
Triptych – Altarpiece influence. Viewer is not used to only getting a part of the image or the object/nude female. The cropping of the center, the abbreviation, is great. The center of altarpieces is the celebration/resolution, which is very interesting in this piece, and seems to be looking at her breasts. Has the effect of wanting to sit and stare.
Suggestion: To consider the amount of space in-between the canvas. The canvases could be put together hinged and therefore, able to move. They could also be positioned as wardrobe mirrors. The receding space gives off a dimension of awkwardness in time, history, and balance.
“fEmpower“
| Stephanie | artist |
Pieces that deal with consumerism and identity…Digested last week’s critique of dung and menstruation. Bottled some menstruation and researched images of perfume bottles. Currently struggling for materials. Final piece: a series of cosmetic boxes set up differently (one that is closed, one that is open). One perfume bottle will have fake blood to evoke menstruation and body odor in ‘pussé’ another on ‘voice,’ and the third on ‘de-visible shields’ (women feel invisible). Wants to package these items as perfume. Questions the covering up of pheromones with perfume.
Suggestion: Model performance artist with or demonstrating the product, the blood; provide the audience with “stick†samples. Will continue thinking about having a demonstration video, photos, or live. Will have a pyramid of boxes to “sell.†Is this piece anti-vanity? Or body empowering – not to hide the essential parts of women’s bodies. Color of boxes are red, blue & yellow. Perfume becomes pusse, a compact becoming de-visible shields (without a mirror), and lipstick, Binaca, or cell phone becomes an empowering voice (to speak more or what you really mean).
“ GenderFuck Revisited“
| Jarah | artist |
Four paneled piece connected by a chain; oil painting; main image is a woman stepping. 36 X 48 inches; the panels form a metamorphosis going from ‘woe-man’ (a woe-is-me woman). The individual is trying to be what a ‘woman’ is supposed to be and transforms into a ‘womyn’ – a person that is just who she is, not what society tells her she needs to be. This relates to paintings the artist has done 8 years ago. Artist plans in the future to make this piece into sculpture form.
Suggestion: Paintings will be quickly done in one-week. Other artists are excited about seeing both painting and sculpture form. Very minimal concern about the paintings being oil and might not be dry for the final show.
“ye, Pirate Boldâ€
| Mary Jay | artist |
Triptych paintings; oil; ships abandoned or in the act of destruction. Main story is of the captain Chackleton who kept very detailed journals. His ship the ‘Endurance’ sank due to a major ice flow, but the entire crew survived in Antarctica. This machine, operating on its own, powered by the earth, with all its supplies on board, a community with its own set of rules and regulations, and its destruction. This is appropriated for the artist who wants to be on her own ship, her own captain, her own leader. Fantasizes about being a respected leader who leads her ship across the open sea in past history after arduous schooling; receiving a medal. Loves the story of Master and Commander. Reads the jargon and conversation of books on historical ships.
Suggestions: Mary should start her own ship society; She would like to make her own ship in a bottle since she is so into the craftsmanship and learning that goes into that vessel management. Resist being blindly passionate. To focus on gender; a man’s world and their agency, as well as their social expectations. The captain is a bit like a ‘superman.’ The ship is a bit like a ‘motorcycle.’ How does it relate to feminism? Artist explains: “I am a girl that likes historic boats.†The artist wants to celebrate the ships that were destroyed. The rich still reside on boats and ships. Shanty songs?
“ All my bras and their functions“
| Borah | artist |
Handout piece of accordion booklet with photo snap shots of the artist in various bras. One version is hand held (has an intimate effect) and the other is tripod (has a magazine effect). Figuring whether to keep both versions. Wants to make a flipbook of the artist taking off her shirt to reveal her bra underneath. Would like the reaction from women to be “o I like that bra.†From men, would like the reaction to go beyond the picture and read hopefully the text. Each bra has a purpose and the text will detail each. Bras conceal the artist’s nipples. The artist wants to create more images of Asian women; using text alongside the self-portraits. Some form of empowerment and confrontation in some of the images versus the anonymous and indifferent versions.
Suggestion: To add text to the images. What do you want male viewers to think or how would you like them to react? Is it about choice and functionality? Is it about resisting objectification? Will the text be more about functionality or a political commentation? Why is the bra lacy? Is it for me or for others? Are bras performative? Artist will write text and continue to think about challenging her piece.
