The main thought that keeps coming into my head as new ideas are arising and older ones are developing is to keep things as simple as possible. I get the feeling from the research I’ve been doing on artists like Helen Chadwick and Sarah Lucas, that their works are all made stronger by a simplicity which encourages a confidence in the message.
In the group crit session I had with Reika from the RCA she made an interesting point: I have approached the ideas of a masculine view of woman. I’ve also touched on my own view of myself as a woman. How about a more generalised feminine view of woman.
This got me thinking
How do women view woman ?
– I’ve addressed the generalised, misogynistic, masculine view
– I’ve begun to look inward at myself
– Do women view woman in the same way as men, through a patriarchal lens?
Men have defined the parameters of every subject. All feminist arguments, however radical in intent or consequence, are with or against assertions or premises implicit in the male system, which is made credible or authentic by the power of men to name.
Andrea Dworkin
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/andreadwor154462.html
While I was considering ways in which women view woman, the quote above that I found while researching the works of Andrea Dworkin for my dissertation about misogynistic language, came to mind.
Theoretically it means that no matter how women express their femininity, they do so wholly within the parameters of language which, is a fundamentally masculine tool.
So, what tool can I use that is fundamentally female, untainted by masculinity?
I feel like the answer to this question is almost nothing.
I’ve been contemplating the idea of using vaginal fluid as a tool. Despite there being all manner of abusive language that references it, I am drawn to the idea that it is inherently feminine. I’m struggling with the idea but I feel like there is something in there for me to find that could make a really interesting piece of work. Initially I was imaging some kind imagery, one as a masculine view of woman and one as a feminine.
I, as a woman believe that a feminine view of woman would be radically more complex than just a single purpose sex object. So:
How to demonstrate a complex view of woman, using vaginal fluid, and keeping it simple?
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