Last week I discovered a used copy of Judy Chicago's book: Through the Flower: My Struggle as a Woman Artist. It was tucked in among the stacks of books at Powell's bookstore in Portland Oregon. I have this magical belief that the books I am needing to read will find me like this.
Published in 1975, Chicago's book chronicles her revolutionary efforts to build a female artist community as a means of legitimizing the feminine experience and feminine imagery in art.
My consciousness has been raised (again).
Fast forward to 2010 where I am building my own art (and business) community -- online no less, with women and men alike -- using the medium of social networking. It is being called a revolution and, in technology and scope, it is. The business world has seen its value and jumped on board.
Consider some of the social networking terminology: friends, community, relationship building, affiliating, connecting, linking, giving, and sharing. These are not revolutionary words. For most women this making and maintaining of human connections is, and always has been, as much a part of life as breathing. It would seem that the business world is co-opting, re-packaging and "monetizing" the very life force of the feminine -- and calling it a revolution!
And I am not really complaining.
I say it is about time.
Only good can come from injecting a dose of feminine power into a business strategy. We can all do with a little less one-upping and conquering -- and a little more heart.
At the end of her book Judy Chicago make some conclusions about the female art communities she created in the 1970s. From my vantage point in 2010 they feel prophetic. She writes "I was able to see that many of the personality traits that are inculcated into women and then disparaged by male culture (heightened intuition, emotional responsiveness, etc.) are actually valuable human abilities, which if developed by both men and women, would greatly improve our society . . . "
This was a brilliant observation and its time has come.
I also say that credit should go where credit is due.
So here's my bit . . . women you rock!
And thank you Judy Chicago.
Betsy Lewis
Betsy's website with career support for artists -- http://www.arteventproductions.com
Betsy, thanks for this post and its observations about the influence of the feminine in this world and in the world of creativity and art.
ReplyDeleteI say business as usual for women and it's about time.
ReplyDeleteGreat observation Betsy!
I was an early admirer of Judy Chicago when I was an art school student in the 70's. She really put herself out there for women and artists. A woman before her time. I am so glad now to live at a time when I think we are finally realizing that we are Artists- not a male or female artists. It has been a long time coming. I think we have almost arrived.
Yes, we do rock! I guess this means we're well-equipped to build an art business because it requires the things that we are naturally good at. By the way, thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, I just joined the Art Mamas of Atlanta and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and seeing what we can get done together.
ReplyDeletei got to meet her when she came to Scottsdale and got an autograph copy of her book. Her book also reminds me of another book "Women Who Run With the Wolves. by I believe Pinker. Fascinating. I believe we are growing quite fast with these kind of women writing. Thanks Betsy for starting the ball rolling.
ReplyDelete