Comments on: Seductive Subversion: Women of Pop at UArts http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof's artblog Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:43:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists ‘58 – ‘68 « The Boomerang Table : The Blog of 160over90 http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7718 Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists ‘58 – ‘68 « The Boomerang Table : The Blog of 160over90 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:04:51 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7718 [...] Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958 – 1968, on exhibit now at three gallery spaces at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, is the the first major exhibition of female Pop artists of the era. Its quite a reclamation project – planned over the course of four years, a majority of the work has not been shown in over forty. (Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof’s Artblog has a nice write up about the show here.) [...] [...] Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958 – 1968, on exhibit now at three gallery spaces at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, is the the first major exhibition of female Pop artists of the era. Its quite a reclamation project – planned over the course of four years, a majority of the work has not been shown in over forty. (Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof’s Artblog has a nice write up about the show here.) [...]

]]> By: :: Dan Shepelavy :: | this, that, and also, etc :: http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7683 :: Dan Shepelavy :: | this, that, and also, etc :: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:37:10 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7683 [...] The usual pop concerns are in play, with a heavy emphasis on the complexities of female iconography in mass culture. The art is on the whole great, if a little roughly hewn. Gems abound – Idelle Weber’s stark geometries and silhouettes, the provocative (if a little strident) photo-montages of Martha Rosler, and Dorothy Grebenak’s hooked wool rugs of Tide boxes, and Bugatti logos. Marjorie Strider’s Green Triptych balances a real sexiness and wry commentary in equal measure, not an easy dynamic to pull off. The show runs until March 15. A catalog is forthcoming. Check it. (Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof’s Artblog has a nice write up about the show here.) [...] [...] The usual pop concerns are in play, with a heavy emphasis on the complexities of female iconography in mass culture. The art is on the whole great, if a little roughly hewn. Gems abound – Idelle Weber’s stark geometries and silhouettes, the provocative (if a little strident) photo-montages of Martha Rosler, and Dorothy Grebenak’s hooked wool rugs of Tide boxes, and Bugatti logos. Marjorie Strider’s Green Triptych balances a real sexiness and wry commentary in equal measure, not an easy dynamic to pull off. The show runs until March 15. A catalog is forthcoming. Check it. (Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof’s Artblog has a nice write up about the show here.) [...]

]]> By: libby http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7586 libby Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:32:55 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7586 Hi, Sid, Thanks for adding that comment. But I am so sad that it comes to this he vs. she, at this very moment when there's a show that aims to correct past slights. Better to expend one's bile at the preponderance of shows that slight women altogether. That might be a more balanced approach. Hi, Sid, Thanks for adding that comment. But I am so sad that it comes to this he vs. she, at this very moment when there’s a show that aims to correct past slights. Better to expend one’s bile at the preponderance of shows that slight women altogether. That might be a more balanced approach.

]]> By: Sid Sachs http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7581 Sid Sachs Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:22:32 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7581 Dear Concerned, The title of the exhibition was pulled from an essay by Linda Nochlin which will be printed in the catalog. The original title of the project was Beyond the Surface: Women and Pop Art 1958 - 1968. And yes it was changed as one of the venues was concerned that my more academic title (still the title of my catalog essay) would not get the audience they wanted into the door. As for my being male, mea culpa. I was helped in my selections by Kalliopi Minioudaki, a female curator. I invite you to see the exhibit. And await your comments after actually seeing the work. Dear Concerned,
The title of the exhibition was pulled from an essay by Linda Nochlin which will be printed in the catalog. The original title of the project was Beyond the Surface: Women and Pop Art 1958 – 1968. And yes it was changed as one of the venues was concerned that my more academic title (still the title of my catalog essay) would not get the audience they wanted into the door.
As for my being male, mea culpa. I was helped in my selections by Kalliopi Minioudaki, a female curator.
I invite you to see the exhibit. And await your comments after actually seeing the work.

]]> By: libby http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7572 libby Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:41:18 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7572 Hi, Colette, I haven't yet been to Slought. It's so close to my house I'm generally late on getting there. And speaking of seductive, your thumbnail of chapmans next to goya is irresistable. Hi, Colette, I haven’t yet been to Slought. It’s so close to my house I’m generally late on getting there. And speaking of seductive, your thumbnail of chapmans next to goya is irresistable.

]]> By: Colette http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7569 Colette Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:57:31 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7569 Hi Libby, I like your response to concerned. I agree--I think subversion is very seductive. And as we all know, a hot title will get folks in door. Looking forward to seeing the exhibit. Have you been to Strictly Death at Slought yet? I'm writing on it for Afterimage. Very interesting show--where else can you see The Chapman Brothers next to a Goya? Hi Libby,
I like your response to concerned. I agree–I think subversion is very seductive. And as we all know, a hot title will get folks in door. Looking forward to seeing the exhibit. Have you been to Strictly Death at Slought yet? I’m writing on it for Afterimage. Very interesting show–where else can you see The Chapman Brothers next to a Goya?

]]> By: libby http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7562 libby Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:47:20 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7562 Hi, Treena, There were some online video interviews of some of the women in the exhibit, but they seem to have been taken down. I will ask about them, and if I find them, I will add the info here. Of course it's better with the dimensions, and we've gotten better about it. If my check list press info is digitized and includes dimensions, they get added. Otherwise, it's catch as catch can; I am slow typing numbers and inch and feet symbols. If there's a specific piece that frustrated you, let me know and I'll do my best to let you know its scale. Hi, Treena, There were some online video interviews of some of the women in the exhibit, but they seem to have been taken down. I will ask about them, and if I find them, I will add the info here.
Of course it’s better with the dimensions, and we’ve gotten better about it. If my check list press info is digitized and includes dimensions, they get added. Otherwise, it’s catch as catch can; I am slow typing numbers and inch and feet symbols. If there’s a specific piece that frustrated you, let me know and I’ll do my best to let you know its scale.

]]> By: libby http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7561 libby Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:31:33 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7561 Dear Concerned, I understand your concern, given that it's women and male curator. (Have you ever met Sid? He is so not an oppressive jerk, so I hate to see him stereotyped like this). I think one of the points of the show was that women's Pop Art had heat and passion in it (as compared to the chilly guys), and the women used that heat to subvert those very stereotypes you are concerned about. The women were looking at how they were seen in advertising and the culture of the time, and they were raising questions, challenging the male gaze and the belittling point of view that gulaged them into the kitchen. I understand your sensitivity to the issue, but Seductive is only the adjective here. Subversion is the power word--the noun. And honestly, while I get your point, I figure if that word brings misguided leerers into see the show, it's worth it. Let'em look and learn. Dear Concerned, I understand your concern, given that it’s women and male curator. (Have you ever met Sid? He is so not an oppressive jerk, so I hate to see him stereotyped like this). I think one of the points of the show was that women’s Pop Art had heat and passion in it (as compared to the chilly guys), and the women used that heat to subvert those very stereotypes you are concerned about. The women were looking at how they were seen in advertising and the culture of the time, and they were raising questions, challenging the male gaze and the belittling point of view that gulaged them into the kitchen. I understand your sensitivity to the issue, but Seductive is only the adjective here. Subversion is the power word–the noun. And honestly, while I get your point, I figure if that word brings misguided leerers into see the show, it’s worth it. Let’em look and learn.

]]> By: Treena http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7543 Treena Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:24:46 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7543 Thanks for the post....looks like a great show....wish I lived closer to Philly. And thanks especially for the coverage of mature women artists. If you get a chance, could we maybe hear/see what they're doing today? And comments on the balancing act/s-what the felt were the balancing act/s-of then and now. I'd love to know that there's a gusher just waiting to pour out in our life-after-kids! :-) Also, and I know this just adds to your workloads and I'm sorry for that, whenever possible, could you give dimensions (or approximations) of the works you show? Often, if there isn't a person in the picture to give a point of reference, I wonder just how large or small the artist tends to works. THANKS and have a wonderful Valentines Day, gals. Thanks for the post….looks like a great show….wish I lived closer to Philly.
And thanks especially for the coverage of mature women artists. If you get a chance, could we maybe hear/see what they’re doing today? And comments on the balancing act/s-what the felt were the balancing act/s-of then and now. I’d love to know that there’s a gusher just waiting to pour out in our life-after-kids! :-)

Also, and I know this just adds to your workloads and I’m sorry for that, whenever possible, could you give dimensions (or approximations) of the works you show? Often, if there isn’t a person in the picture to give a point of reference, I wonder just how large or small the artist tends to works. THANKS and have a wonderful Valentines Day, gals.

]]> By: Concerned http://www.theartblog.org/2010/02/seductive-subversion-women-of-pop-at-uarts/comment-page-1/#comment-7540 Concerned Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:59:38 +0000 http://theartblog.org/?p=11851#comment-7540 Is the title a specific reference to something? I haven't had a chance to see the show yet or read any extended statements by the curator, but am troubled. Is it just me, or is there a serious critical question to be asked about the title of the exhibition? In a show curated by a man, what does it mean that the first word in the title is 'Seductive'? Does that not simply re-inscribe a whole host of outmoded tropes of female representation? Even if it is meant ironically, why do the women have to be 'seductive'? Can they not be presented in a way that lives up to the critical rhetoric of the exhibition's stated goals? Why must they be prefaced with a context of seductive longing? If there is irony in the title, it falls short of achieving a chuckle. Is the title a specific reference to something? I haven’t had a chance to see the show yet or read any extended statements by the curator, but am troubled. Is it just me, or is there a serious critical question to be asked about the title of the exhibition? In a show curated by a man, what does it mean that the first word in the title is ‘Seductive’? Does that not simply re-inscribe a whole host of outmoded tropes of female representation? Even if it is meant ironically, why do the women have to be ‘seductive’? Can they not be presented in a way that lives up to the critical rhetoric of the exhibition’s stated goals? Why must they be prefaced with a context of seductive longing? If there is irony in the title, it falls short of achieving a chuckle.

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