Assignment #1: Assumptions About Feminism and Art

Chris Davis

2/12/07

WMST250

Through Wonder, Lies Knowledge

There, in that open-spaced, incandescently lit room with pallid walls laid the words that introduced me to feminism: “The Personal is Political,” coined from the Redstocking feminist group in 1969. Through the reading of this one sentence, it was the summation to an extraordinary day in which I experienced art like never before. Having been to Washington DC so many times and visiting so many museums in that area, I assumed that this would be just another trip down to see museums which consisted of art that seems too overly abstract for me to even understand. Therefore, I counted on a boring day lugging around Washington. Nevertheless, I, most surprisingly, enjoyed my recent experience to the nation’s capital because I had a different perspective to look at exhibits which I had seen before; I was now not just a subjective spectator, but I was an intellectual analyzing the art and how it was feminist.

As I exited the Subway station and crossed 3^rd street, there stood the National Museum of the American Indian; a large sandstone like structure with uncanny curvature as its exterior. As an Architecture major, I assumed that the building would somehow not only serve a purpose to hold exhibits, but reflect its purpose. Clearly, I interpreted the sandstone-like facade and curvature as representing a piece of the earth and the way in which American Indians value the relationship between themselves and nature. The entrance and foyer of the museum had contradicted my assumption of painted and mural walls which reflect the somewhat stereotypical view I have of Indians with painted faces. However, the actual art in the exhibits immediately confirmed the many assumptions that I had. I thought that in terms of women and feminism, the Indian by Design exhibition was quite startling. I assumed that by making clothing, such as tribal dresses, was a custom of many American Indian women. However, I did not know the dresses themselves, “carry a woman’s emotions and enhance a dance’s meaning” according to curator Ogala Lakota. So, not only do the dresses serve a ritualistic purpose, but they are also signs of expression, passed on from generation to generation.

What I have understood as feminism is equality and diversity of women and in my opinion, the American Indian museum did not translate those ideas. In the changing exhibitions, it very much focused on the roles of men, women, and children and how those roles as whole ensure the well being of all the people collectively. It did not show the distinctiveness of women from the rest of the population. Therefore, since the interpretation of this Museum toward the American Indian seems to promote togetherness, collectivity, and unification, not distinctness, individualism, and diversity, the question of whether or not the National Museum of the American Indian is not meaningful at this location but yet, expressing the American Indian culture as whole is the true purpose of this location.

After a lengthy hike down Independence Avenue, a rod-iron fence revealed a garden with three distinct, gray-toned buildings, one being the National Museum of African Art. Immediately, I assumed that the museum itself would be much like the other Smithsonian museums with white-granite marble walls. However, inside, there were very warm colors such as orange, green, and brown which immediately welcomed you and gave you the feeling that you were part of an African ritual or experience. In addition, from my little background experience with African art, I assumed that many of the pieces on the display would be sculptures. In addition, having just experienced the American Indian museum, I hurriedly assumed that this museum would not show a distinction between men and women but focus on the African people collectively, not knowing much about the African culture myself.

I assumed that women would be caregivers to children and be morally faith based. Overall, I found this assumption to hold true. For example, in one of the pieces, a woman was shown holding her breasts as a sign of a nurturer and a water-bowl on top of her head as a sign of dedication. In addition, I assumed that in terms of feminism, women as wives would be focused in a submissive role, supporting the husbands. For example, in one of the exhibits, there was a sculpture of four heads, one which was a male and the other three which were his wives. Furthermore, by examining the exhibits, it seemed that men were the hunters and women were the nurturers and caregivers. On those grounds, I would have to say that the National Museum of African Art was not feminist because it showed two distinctive roles between men and women and more importantly, it seemed to disprove the fact that women were and are equal to men in every aspect. Since equality and freedom are leading characteristics of feminism, this museum is not feminist.

Having been surprised that many of the museums lacked feminism, I was quite apprehensive about what I would find at the National Gallery of Art. Certainly from the beginning, the massive size and use of pink marble on the exterior and interior of this museum made me assume that for sure that what I would was about to be exposed to would be considered “high art.” Having visited this art museum twice before, I assumed from those experiences that there was no chance that this museum was going to be feminist. It did not house pretty pink rooms where women sat, had tea, and talked about art all day. However, again I was taking a different perspective to these museums. In terms of looking at the museum and it being feminist, I actually saw feminism in different forms. For example, I was fascinated by the work of Georgia O’Keefe’s painting Jack-in-the pulpit. The ironic spectacle about the piece was that it was in a room with other painting by men and women and the piece was of the same proportion to others in the room. Specifically, Georgia O’Keefe had several of her own works in one room alone as did many other female artists in other rooms. Therefore, the National Gallery of Art is feminist because it upholds feminist ideals such women’s equality and diversity. Equality is it promoted between male and female artists and diversity is established with women artists and all different types of art including abstract and sculptures.

Catching my breath as I stumbled into the National Museum of Women and the Arts, what took me over next was pure fascination. Starting off, I prematurely assumed that there would be pink banners hanging from the ceilings with famous quotes reaffirming the ability and unique qualities of the human female. While there were not the pink banners, I was just fascinated by the grandeur and elegance of the entire museum from the white marbled stair-case, to the beautifully mastered portraits on the second floor, and finally, the magnificent pieces residing in the permanent collection. I assumed that this museum would not be multi-cultural. However, there were several pieces representing different cultures and backgrounds and it seems to me now that the museum would not be a women’s museum if it did not express equality, even multi-culturally. Feminism does not only express equality and diversity, but one of feminism’s vehicles toward expressing equality and diversity is through art such as the strength and individualism shown in Frida Kahlo’s self portrait or Lois Mailou Jones’ Ode to Kinshasa. Therefore, the National Museum of Women and the Arts is feminist because it does not only convey classic features of feminism like individualism and strength of women, but it clearly delivers these concepts through the figures and abstract pieces of the museum.

While I admit that I am not totally familiar with feminism, analyzing different forms of art made it conceptually easier to understand the aspects of feminism. Most importantly, I learned that theme a theme of feminism in art was the sole celebration of women, their abilities, and their natural distinctiveness which make them the beautiful and unique people that they truly are. Furthermore, this experience revealed the strength and power which women hold in the ability to say “we count, and our voice will be heard.” In this case, the “voice” was through women’s work in art. In conclusion, in this learning experience, I ultimately acknowledged that through wonder, lies knowledge.