Art as Feminism

Outside Reading

Art as Feminism: Carolyn Korsmeyer

The article starts with the disclaimer that many established art experts (meaning historians, curators, critics, etc.) have a hard time defining what art is.  Many art experts don't even want to begin to define art for fear of creating categories that possible art expressions cannot fit into.  However, there is an agreement on what traditional fine art is.  Traditional fine art, according to the article, makes a clear distinction between art and craft, does not have a political significance and is usually the product of a lone genius.  Korsmeyer then goes to explain how feminist artists "main agenda" is to challenge the standards.  One of the more favored examples in the article is the use of craft materials in feminist art.

Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party

The picture above is an installment by Judy Chicago made almost entirely out of crafts (the plates, tables, cups, quilts) but it was also a collaborative project done by over one hundred women and contains a political message.  Each place setting is for a female figure from history or myth and uses the craft of quilting to personalize each setting.