Recommended Reading: Self-transformations by Cressida J. Heyes

Tuesday afternoon in the library, I happened upon Cressida J. Heyes' book Self-transformations which is really relevant to my doctoral research project with its working title "Feminist Performance Art Can Change Your Life For the Better!?"

Here's a particularly poignant quote: 

"... Western feminism has urged women to look inside to find the authentic and diverse selves patriarchy has denied and suppressed, this very gesture of self-discovery has been deeply implicated in emergent discourses that paradoxically take the disciplined and conformist body as a site of truth reflecting the self within. For women the elusive promise of self-determination often displaces its own radical intent with the poor substitutes of dieting, exercise routines, cosmetic surgeries and makeovers."[1] 

In other words, women's culture industry uses feminist language to convey the misguided notion that outer-beauty reflects our 'authentic' inner selves. I can't help but see this statement reflected in the (should I say 'tragic'?) trajectory of Jane Fonda's career. It also reminds me of Suzanne Somers' opening monologue to her video Think Great, Look Great in which she states that it's important to understand the connection between inner peace and outer beauty. 

[1] Heyes, C. J., 2007, Self-transformations: Foucault, Ethics and Normalized Bodies, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 5 

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.

To trash or not to trash, that is the question

    


I was talking about my tendency to choose trashy role models yesterday at the Trashing Performance Seminar & Workshop. For example, let's look at the fact that when presented with the history of feminist art at university, the woman I admired most was Judy Chicago, a woman predominantly 'trashed' by academia and art criticism. I could have chosen someone super-intellectual like Mary Kelly. She does have great hair. 

Warning! Executive Function Impaired.

 

Since recently falling in love I've come face to face with the fact that being in such a state severely impairs one's rational mind. These past three months I've struggled to keep up with my usual responsibilities and I've made some mistakes and been extremely disorganised. Luckily so far there haven't been any disastrous consequences - in fact, I'm sure to the outside world everything seems a-Ok. Nevertheless, I'm struggling to keep all my balls afloat and the extra stress and anxiety caused by such juggling in the face of my (hopefully) temporary lack of executive function has really brought home the importance of careful planning and time management. I recommend viewing this video which provides some really helpful tips!

Role Model of The Week: Suzanne Somers

This week's role model is B-list celebrity Suzanne Somers - she has a blog too! More importantly though, my new video project is based on her’ two part video series Somersize, which is described on the back of the VHS box as “an entertaining and inspirational 'wellness for the 90s' program – focus[ing] on methods to define, develop and maintain a healthy mind and body.” The film begins with a confessional monologue by Somers detailing her life story and her commitment to ‘the work’ as a testimony to her credentials as a model of emotional and physical wellbeing. She then proceeds to interview psychologist Dr. David Viscott and life coach Barbara DeAngelis who respectively provide their expertise on being ‘emotionally free’ and living life in the moment. This is followed by instructions on exercises for the body based on the principles of Tai Chi.

In my version, I will maintain the format of the original, beginning with a monologue about my experiences in life and therapy which will be in part a parody of Somers’ speech and in part revelatory of my life. This will be filmed in park locations in New York and London and edited together so as to create the illusion that I am seamlessly strolling through these geographically distant environments. The self-help experts of Somercise will be replaced with my psychologist-parents and the therapists who I have had throughout my life. My divorced parents will give their opinions on what it takes to have healthy loving relationships. My current therapist Bernadette Ainsworth, who practices Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (R.E.B.T.) will address the myth of self-esteem. The psychoanalytic therapist I saw throughout high school has declined being in the film because she needs to maintain her anonymity. Since meeting with her for research purposes I have scripted the scene of our re-acquaintance and will dramatise this with my therapist played by an actress. 

By simultaneously playing into and confounding the stereotypes of the ‘self-help guru’ my aim with this piece is to dispel the notion of the mythically self-assured, autonomous subject that underpins so much self-help advice. I am interested in illuminating the perspective of a modern psychoanalytic therapist on this subject especially in terms of the concept of the unconscious. Likewise, it will be useful to address the R.E.B.T. perspective on self-determination, particularly in light of the fact that accepting one’s fallibility and imperfection as a human being is so fundamental to its philosophy. I hope that the overall message of the film will be thought-provoking and positive in its realism while at the same time comedic in its parodic elements. 

Women Should Be In Charge, 20 May @ ICA

An Audience with Bob & Roberta Smith: Women Should be in Charge
A FREE event on Friday 20th May, 1.15pm-11pm at the ICA, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH 

A night of performance, music, participatory activities, films and talks curated and presented by artist Bob & Roberta Smith, which celebrates powerful female voices from the worlds of art, music and politics.

The night includes a Feminist Icon Fanzine Workshop run by Bob & Roberta Smith and his students, interactions with a parade of women dressed up as Modern Art Stars by Jessica Voorsanger and a re-enactment of Yves Klein's infamoust Monotone Symphony, with male rather then female models by Deej Fabyc. The will also be new performances by Oriana Fox & Lazlo Pearlman and Mel Brimfield and music from The Fucks, Flame Proof Moth and Noctum Rectum and a DJ set by Lucienne Cole.

During the evening Bob & Roberta Smith will also invite the audience to sign up to Esther's Law: A new law based on a sculpture by Jacob Epstein of his teenage daughter, which seems to challenge the male hegemony of art and suggests society should create a truly representative political system in parliament, including 50% of women. 

NB some of the performances in the theatre have adult content and are recommended for over 18yrs.

Programme Details 

1.15pm: Culture Now discussion with Bob & Roberta Smith and Cedar Lewisohn, FREE, but you need to book via the ICA box office Tel. 020 7930 3647

6pm - 7.30pm: Panel Discussion in the gallery 'Women Should be in Charge' chaired by curator and broadcaster Cecilia Wee with guests Sonia Boyce, Professor Janet Newman, Ana Laura Lopez de La Torre and Bob & Roberta Smith (including a film screening of a cut from John Roberts film 'I should be in charge') followed by a screening of a series of films by artist Katherine Araniello FREE no need to book

7pm-11pm: Performances, music and participatory activity in the bar and theatre by Deej Fabyc, The Fucks, Jessica Voorsanger, Mel Brimfield, Oriana Fox & Lazlo Pearlman, Flame Proof Moth, Lucienne Cole, Noctum Rectum, Students from Arts Schools across London. FREE no need to book.

Teenage Angst (and Laughter)

 

 
 

 

 
 

As I tend to do when I come home to NY, I rummage through old diaries and sketchbooks. This time I decided to scan some of my teenage drawings. The above images are a series I created which depict the body in order to convey emotion. I want to make art like this again.
 
Mixed in amongst all these angst-ridden/surrealistic drawings were the below quotations about laughter and the definition of the word 'fun' and 'earthy'. My interests really haven't changed in 20 years!