Creative patriarchy has never left us, as we once again struggle with adjectives and pronouns addressing gender. Mere confirmation of continued stripping of any sense of empowerment or definition women gain in our struggle—rung by rung—to cling to, let alone climb, a ladder of equal height.
The Francoise Gilots, Georgia O’Keeffes, Lee Millers, Elaine de Koonigs, Lee Krasners etc, etc, of the art world, too many to name, all fall under patriarchal attitudes, shadows and definitions presented here, regardless of their pivotal roles in propping up the egos of or stabilizing their violent, abusive, genius male creative companions.
The problem is it’s not just the language of the art world, it’s in our heads. The next generation will speak of feminism while it listens to degrading song lyrics and watches women objectified in film. A prior excellent piece I read here mused you could still basically replace the female role in action flicks with a good looking lamp. When asked about motivation, actresses are told to ‘look sexy’ instead of treated as actual method actors.
The women who do carve their way are highly protective of their gained ground. As mentioned, af Klint set a boundary of time around her work to prevent it being minimized. Bjork transforms into ‘other’ as female Valkyrie impenetrable, protected by the Elements. Men couldn’t touch them. We must learn our battle lessons well, those of us looking for respect outside of gender relegated evaluation.
Our goal must be to further the boundaries, create the demarcation and no fly zone—literally be impermeable. If our concepts are beyond reach, so will be our art. And for the physical victims? We need to learn to LEAVE. For Patriarchy is not going away any time soon.
Creative patriarchy has never left us, as we once again struggle with adjectives and pronouns addressing gender. Mere confirmation of continued stripping of any sense of empowerment or definition women gain in our struggle—rung by rung—to cling to, let alone climb, a ladder of equal height.
The Francoise Gilots, Georgia O’Keeffes, Lee Millers, Elaine de Koonigs, Lee Krasners etc, etc, of the art world, too many to name, all fall under patriarchal attitudes, shadows and definitions presented here, regardless of their pivotal roles in propping up the egos of or stabilizing their violent, abusive, genius male creative companions.
The problem is it’s not just the language of the art world, it’s in our heads. The next generation will speak of feminism while it listens to degrading song lyrics and watches women objectified in film. A prior excellent piece I read here mused you could still basically replace the female role in action flicks with a good looking lamp. When asked about motivation, actresses are told to ‘look sexy’ instead of treated as actual method actors.
The women who do carve their way are highly protective of their gained ground. As mentioned, af Klint set a boundary of time around her work to prevent it being minimized. Bjork transforms into ‘other’ as female Valkyrie impenetrable, protected by the Elements. Men couldn’t touch them. We must learn our battle lessons well, those of us looking for respect outside of gender relegated evaluation.
Our goal must be to further the boundaries, create the demarcation and no fly zone—literally be impermeable. If our concepts are beyond reach, so will be our art. And for the physical victims? We need to learn to LEAVE. For Patriarchy is not going away any time soon.
I just wonder how did Loos manage to sneak so many 90 degrees angles in Steiner’s house?
“Art, not being a mere translation, enchants and sublimates.” ⬅️ That is brilliant.
Thanks, Bethany!