feminism

“The Spice Girls Killed Feminism, The Spice Girls Killed Romance”… WTF?

by tatiana on December 18, 2007

I see a group of great role models… not anti-feminists. What do you see?

So, 2 weekends ago I saw the Spice Girls at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with Cathy, Kendra and my sister. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever experienced in my life. The venue was full of girls and women and really hot gay boys. It was a dance-a-thon that I wish had never ended. The happiness and love in the air was palpable.

Today Cathy found this article written by a supposed “feminist”. I think this woman is full of shit. She’s not a feminist, she’s a prude.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22890676-5007191,00.html

I don’t think the Spice Girls are anti-feminist just because they have had makeovers, or because they like to be sexy. I think women should be able to do whatever they want, regardless of their age. The author of this piece implies way too much about the young Spice Girls following. If she was an adult in the 1970s, which she mentions at the end of the article, then she has no right to assume the position of a “kid” who listened to the spice girls 10 years ago. Am I bulimic? Do I spend money that I don’t have on designer clothing? Do I throw away my inhibitions and have skanky Saturday nights? No, absolutely not.

I think ultimately the Spice Girls have taught us all (boys and girls) to respect ourselves, and not care about what people say; know how to have a good time, and always believe in the good of mankind. How is that harmful?

Anyway, here’s a cute video of Les Spice Girls from the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Enjoy!

{ 4 comments }

Sometimes Size Does Not Matter

by tatiana on November 7, 2007

I’ve been wanting to see this show ever since I found out it was going to be at San Diego State. I missed that boat, but luckily for me, the show was also traveling to good ole’ Cal State Los Angeles. I’ve never been to Cal State LA, and I must say, their Luckman Arts complex is gorgeous. Me gusta mucho. I love how accessible it is from the parking structure, and how easy it is to find from the freeway. Two thumbs up from a tourist’s perspective. (Everytime I go to LA I feel like a tourist). So anyway, going on as we speak…

The Graphic Imperative: International Posters for Peace, Social Justice & the Environment, 1965-2005
Libertidad Para Angela Davis, Beltran Felix, 1971

Where?
Cal State Los Angeles
Luckman Gallery
5151 State University Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8116
(323) 343-6604

When?
October 27-December 15, 2007
Gallery Hours: Mon-Thurs. and Sat. 12-5pm

How much?
FREE, except for the dollar that you’ll pay for parking… which is a bargain for parking in LA.

I STILL don’t get it.
What initially drew me to this exhibit? Two words: Guerilla Girls! I love seeing their pieces at different exhibits. They’re so inspiring, I would never pass up an opportunity to experience their work up close. The aura of powerful women is always palpable. I know their pieces are posters, and it’s not exactly the same as viewing a painting, because it’s not one of a kind… but I think that’s what’s so great about this exhibit, and about the graphic arts in general. Graphic art, for me, has so much cultural influence and resonates loudly irregardless of which form it takes; whether it’s a billboard, graffiti, a sticker, or in this case, a poster. It’s a piece of art that is utilized in the mainstream of everyday and in turn may be discussed outside of the political arena, making these issues everyone’s problem instead of just the government’s. It’s kind of sneaky if you think about it. We are advertising a social movement like we’re advertising a consumer good. If you capture someone’s attention, the product becomes more popular, and then more people will jump on the bandwagon. Well, that’s in the utopia for social movements in my mind, but I guess in the real world it’s a little more difficult.

The Graphic Imperative exhibits 111 posters that have served to create awareness of social issues or injustices that existed, and in turn created a discourse to try to make change happen. The exhibit includes posters from the past 40 years; four decades that were critical to many issues such as unfair labor, racism, violence against women, AIDS, the environment, and many more.

The Luckman Art Gallery at CSLA is pretty small space, but an average size for a University art gallery. Although the exhibit is small its message is anything but.

{ 0 comments }

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

by tatiana on August 30, 2007

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I feel these days that my neighborhood not only consists of the families who live in my apartment complex, or the shopping center across the street, but also (oddly enough) my bookmarked favorites in my internet browser (Firefox, of course). I have come to know these sites so well I feel like we have become very good acquaintances. Actually I know the content of these sites better than I know my actual neighbors (I don’t even know their names. But I do know that they need to keep their cats inside so they can stop pooping everywhere.) Let me introduce you to some of my favorite “neighbors”:

The Feminist Art Project: A site that helps encourage everyone to learn more about feminist art and become more aware of openings and exhibits across the country. Also, I REALLY REALLY love the Timeline.

Guerilla Girls: I think of the Guerilla Girls as kind of the super heroines in the art world. Their posters and other media efforts have helped the position of women and people of color gain more attention and the respect that they deserve in the art world. They’re so effing amazing I can’t even stand it. I’ll be posting an entry dedicated to them coming soon.

A Soviet Poster A Day: – If I could leap atop buildings and scream out loud how much I love Soviet posters I would. But 1.) I am afraid of heights, and 2.) I would probably be 51-50’d to the local mental institution. So, I’ll scream it here. I LOVE SOVIET POSTERS. Why? Well, I’m half Russian, and I feel an affinity towards anything Rooski. Also I love anything constructivist/dada/avant garde. Russians are great graphic designers. So check out this guy’s blog and learn why.

A Public Space: I first came across this publication this past April at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA. They were an exhibitor, and their mission definitely is something I support. It’s always fun coming across new writers who can challenge literature, fiction and poetry lovers to embrace something new. New styles. New ideas. New stories.

Lastly I want to share my favorite graffiti/street art sites. I got into graffiti by way of researching logos. I don’t have the balls to actually graffiti on walls, but I like looking at it. It’s amazing comparing the different styles from artist to artist and from country to country. If you’re sick of your sterile environment, here are some sites to make your world feel a little more colorful… and badass:

Taiwan: http://taichung-graffiti.blogspot.com/
Lebanon: http://lebgraffiti.blogspot.com/
Everywhere: http://www.streetsy.com/

{ 1 comment }

He shall be kept alive to always remind me of how close I came to danger.

by tatiana on July 17, 2007

YeaHHHH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFojixOc8Hc

How excited am I? Beyond excited…

{ 0 comments }

Sometimes I wish I had been born 50 years ago…

by tatiana on July 13, 2007

so I could have experienced the 1960s and 1970s. All of the intense movements and changes happened then (in my opinion). From the Weathermen to Womanhouse in Los Angeles to the creation of a punk fashion culture (ahem…Vivienne Westwood). Lately it feels as if a lot of museums are showing works from that culture-shifting time period. And it makes me jealous. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my generation, and the fact that I was able to participate in the ongoing third wave feminist movement (or tried to do my part, at least); I would really have liked to be at the forefront of all of that change. And I would have LOVED to see Elvis in concert. Damn.

Ok, end of the rant. But this brings me to the newest exhibit at our very own Orange County Museum of Art. I haven’t visited this museum since, oh, the John Waters: Change of Life exhibition which in my opinion was one of the best exhibits I have ever witnessed. John Waters is a hero indeed. But for the good year and a half since that show everything there has looked pretty boring, to be honest with you. Until now! ::cheers:: Opening this Sunday…

Art Since the 1960s: California Experiments

Vija Clemins, Eraser, 1967

Where?
Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
When?
July 15th 2007- September 14, 2008
(Museum hours: Wed – Sun 11-5pm; Thurs 11-8pm)
How much?
Ten big ones.
I STILL don’t get it.
Well, this exhibit will highlight pieces from the museum’s permanent collection that focus on post 1960s contemporary art. What am I excited about? Of course seeing more of Eleanor Antin’s work. When I saw her Carving: A Traditional Sculpture piece at the WACK! exhibit a few months ago, I was incredibly moved. (The entire friggin exhibit was moving. It’s open for a few more days kids!!!) She makes the concept of crash-dieting over 36 days highly unglamorous and real juxtaposing the classic idea of a Greek sculptor chipping away excess marble to reveal an “inner beauty”.

I can go on forever about Antin, but there are handfuls of other artists to see at this contemporary exhibit. So go, and be sure to share your thoughts.

A Traditional Sculpture by Antin

{ 1 comment }

Next Entries →