Bra Burning & Mask Stabbing

More photos from ICA performance of Impenetrable Power of The Phallic Matron, 20 May 2011.

The bra-burning, peace-offering moment of the performance (following swiftly after the bikini-competition and question round) is a mini-homage to the New York Radical women who carried out the same protest action at The Miss America Pageant in 1968.

The mirror reflection of the goddess of love's visage in Velazquez's Rokeby Venus (1649-51) was painted purposely blurry and vague by the artist who didn't want to pin-down the specifics of the ideal face. Venus is rendered anonymous. I've undone this by literally stabbing Sarah Palin's face onto the surface of the mirror as the culmination of my performance.

Photos: jimbanks.info

I should be in charge

Oriana Fox, Impenetrable Power
Oriana Fox, Impenetrable Power

Bob and Roberta Smith: Women Should Be In Charge

20 May 2011

Join us to celebrate powerful female voices from the worlds of art, music and politics with a day and night of free talks, screenings, live editions, performance, music and workshops, curated by Bob & Roberta Smith.

From midday, learn about Bob & Roberta Smith’s work at our Culture Now talk, see the artist make unique art works at our first ever live edition event and watch screenings in the ICA Gallery.

The evening’s entertainment begins with a panel discussion on Esther’s Law, a new law based on Jacob Epstein’s sculpture of his teenage daughter which suggests society should create a truly representative political system in parliament with 50% female. In the ICA Bar there is a Feminist Icon Fanzine workshop, plus live art and music from Oriana, Denise, the Dark Hearts, Tim Sidall and others in the Theatre.

Presented in association with Home Live Art. All events are free. Booking is required for Culture Now.