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Showing posts with label Feminist Creative Alliance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Feminist Creative Alliance. Show all posts
More than Your Doily: A Visual Examination of Intimate Spaces
Date:
Friday, May 21, 2010
Time:
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
5202 N. Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60625
Description
The Feminist Creative Alliance hosts a one-night-only art exhibit featuring arousing work from artists reacting to gender and identity within intimate spaces. A discussion with artists will start at 7:30.
Featuring Artists: Stephanie Cristello Angela Davis Fegan Katie Netti
When: TONIGHT!!!! Friday May 21, 2010 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Avram Eisen Gallery 5202 N. Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60625
“For those of us who write, it is necessary to scrutinize not only the truth of what we speak, but the truth of that language by which we speak it. For others, it is to share and spread also those words that are meaningful to us. But, primarily for us all, it is necessary to teach by living and speaking those truths which we believe and know beyond understanding. Because in this way alone we can survive, by taking part in a process of life that is creative and continuing that is growth,” (Audre Lorde Sister Outsider 43).
Tomorrow the arts organization a group of peers and I are starting, the Feminist Creative Alliance, will be having its first event, “What’s in a Word: a Feminist Response to Language & Power.” The theme for the evening is one very dear to my heart: communication. Not just how we deliver thoughts to one another but the underlying meanings of words, and the ideas between the words. It’s really interesting to think about how our knowledge base connects so tightly to the capitalists in control of our country.
It’s interesting to debate whether we can ever move beyond the power structure because our language, our way of communicating and knowing is so intrinsically tiedto preventing that from every occurring. Can we ever get to the words we really need for change? Is the word “change” really what we’re aiming for? Or perhaps we’re searching for transformation, alteration, overthrow, underthrow, a slight make-over or a drastic revolutionization.
What are the truths in our language? If we think of the alphabet as symbols restructured over and over to communicate and share ideas is there ever any solid foundation to meaning? Though we like to imagine our society being based within some type of structure, that structure has the potential for serious modifications. CAT could suddenly be the word that describes what we know today as DOG, DOG could become TREE etc. etc.
Because the symbols make up words, and the words make up meaning all it really takes is a relearning, a redesigning of the meanings behind the symbols. “It is necessary to teach by living and speaking those truths which we believe and know beyond understanding,” if we do not have the words, how do we carry on truth for a better, more accepting, and open world? Do we create our own? Do we communicate in ways beyond words? What does that look like?
Perhaps we will move closer to some of these answers tomorrow. If you’re in the neighborhood please come check it out.
What’s in a Word: Feminist Response to Language & Power
It's All in the Family: Intersections of Gender, Race, and Nation
Tomorrow marks the occasion for the first EVER Feminist Creative Alliance fundraiser: Changing Seasons, Changing Genders Drag Ball. The likes of Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Dirty ole’ Tramps and other beautiful faces will be gracing the event so make it over if you’re in the Chicago area. It’s a house party or to be more accurate an apartment party at my place and since it’s at my place I must prepare the space.
Party Proofing derives from the same basic concepts of Baby Proofing. Remove breakables and small objects people could stick in their mouths and choke on *insert lame penis-pun here*.When I have a party there are particular steps I take to ensure that both the guests and myself have a fascinating life-enhancing time.
First. Pre-cleaning. This is less scrubbing and more picking up. Essentially just hide and store anything you don’t want people to 1)steal (jewelry, electronics etc.) 2)break (things made of glass ,etc.) 3)talk about (books, movies, cds) sometimes you just may not be in the mood to discuss Foucault or the hidden meanings in Lady Gaga lyrics and if that is the case get said items off your coffee table or turn them around on your shelves. Once everything is picked up or moved out RELAX. No need to dust or vacuum or mop the floors (unless you never clean—then you may want to consider it), but there is no need to do said cleaning rituals before a party because your place is going to get destroyed and you’ll have to repeat it all the next day anyway.
Second. Inebriation and Gluttony. Liquor and food. Have lots of both, but don’t go into stringent on the details of either. No need to make complicated recipes, keep it simple. No one cares what they’re eating when they’re drunk just as long as they’re eating something. I say stick with the salt family—chips, pretzels, crackers, nuts *insert lame cock joke now*.
Third. Theme. Make it mean something. Make it special so the memory lasts longer. Plus it makes conversation easier at later times, instead of saying “remember that one time at one of Krystal’s parties—I can’t remember which one because they’re all so similar” they will say, “remember that time at the Underwear Party when Marcus* pooped himself—or whatever event actually took place (*I don’t actually party with anyone named Marcus).
Fourth. Time. Whatever time you make it, people will not show up then, they will show up way later. Maybe it’s for fashion sake, but I think people just move slow before they’re going out—they seem to need to meditate on the idea of being social—it’s fine with me as long as they eventually show up.
Fifth. Intoxicate yourself.
Sixth. Go with the flow.
Seventh. Dance.
Eighth. Go to sleep.
Nine. Post-cleaning. After the hang-over has subsided (or right when you get out of bed) Start. Don’t fuck around with the mess, get it over with. Begin with all the cups and plates and similar like trash. Then scrub-a-dub-dub all the floors, tables, chairs, and probably the bathroom if it was a good party (and it should have been if you followed the last 8 suggestions), then of course, bring back out everything you had stored away.
Ten. Reward yourself for a party well done. I suggest greasy food to help with the riddance of said hangover.
So there you have it—a simply way to host a great night.
And what would make this upcoming party even better is your attendance. So drag your feet on over and enjoy the ball.
All proceeds go to help the Feminist Creative Alliance-- a newly formed non-profit arts organization looking to raise money for 501c3 status. Seriously. This is a party you don’t want to miss… For more info—message me.
I have my Master of Arts degree in Women and Gender Studies as well as a Master's in Writing and Publishing from DePaul.
I'm currently living in Boulder, CO working for a non-profit called Fertile Action and writing about visual arts (and more) for the Boulder Weekly.
Why blog?
I think too much, hence I decided I need a space to get it all out; and there is no better space than a virtual one.
