Comments on: Some feminine art from the Centre Georges Pompidou. Paris, France. 2009

By: razzbuffnik

razzbuffnik — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:10:12 +0000

Cafe Selavy

To be honest I’ve no idea what the real stats are but I’d be willing to wager that things are getting better in some places like at the Pompidou centre but I’m sure there’s still a long way to go in so many places.

What the Guerrilla Girls had to say certainly made me think about the issue.

Donald

It’s funny how us guys have almost been cowed by the fear of unleashing a rabid torrent of radical feminist vitriol, from even talking about this issue in an open forum. It’s a pity really, because such reactions stifle what needs to be discussed and disseminated.

As a matter of fact, just about any radical “ism” I can think about turns me totally off a cause. Frightening people isn’t where it’s at, it’s all about winning hearts and minds.

Pat

It’s always nice to share nice things. Just like a nice bottle of wine always tastes better with friends.

Ross

I found Lee Bontecou’s piece mesmerising and I could hardly take my eyes off it.

By: planetross

planetross — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:30:15 +0000

I like the untitled work by Lee Bontecou the best. It reminds me of some type of wood puzzle for some reason.

I guess your big adventure in Europe is almost done. I’m waiting for the Epicurienne post myself.

By: Pat Coakley

Pat Coakley — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:58:19 +0000

Oh, I enjoyed this! And ending with Helen. Perfect. I don’t hear you apologizing for the effect of her seductive colors…thank you jesus. Safe trip home! Thanks for the wonderful images and stories. I really feel like I should be unpacking my bag and going through a pile of mail.

By: Donald Diddams

Donald Diddams — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:56:16 +0000

I fear stepping into this minefield, and certainly do not dispute women’s complaints of discrimination at the more elite levels of the art world. On the other hand, on the lower rungs of the art ladder that I inhabit my experience is that there are far more female than male artists active at the community level. I don’t think this is just a local phenomenon, and it may be due to the economic fears and discrimination against men in their productive years who forsake their “masculine” money-earning endeavors in favor of the more emotionally laden and risky arena of the arts. What happens in between the lower and upper rungs of the ladder to tilt the balance in favor of men is probably complex and political (small “p”).

In the end, I suspect we all — both men and women — suffer discrimination in one way or another from traditional gender roles. (So there! I’ve stepped into the minefield anyway.)

Very nice selection of art, by the way.

By: cafe selavy

cafe selavy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:31:53 +0000

I’m not sure of the answer to this, but what percent of the artists represented in the museum producing works since the 1970’s are women? The history of gender bias is well documented. I would be curious to know if things have changed. The Whitney might be a good study in that. Or MoMA.

As for the percentage of nudes. . . I think they’ve made their point. Sort of. I would have guessed the percentage higher than 83%.

Don’t mess with Guerilla Girls.