On Roberta Fallon & Libby Rosof’s The Art Blog, writer Andrea Kirsch breaks out the hymnal in praise the female sex organ:
Explicit views of women’s pudenda have never been in short supply in
New York City but one found them on 42nd St. (before Disney arrived),
not in established art galleries. Inspired by Eve Ensler‘s Vagina Dialogues, Francis Naumann began collecting work for an exhibition and when it grew too large, enlisted David Nolan to join him; the exhibition, The Visible Vagina,
continues at both galleries through March 20. The results include the
entire range of responses one might expect from women to their own most
singular parts, and respectful, appreciative study by men of the most
mysterious parts of women. This is an important exhibition.
What if this were a penis show? Would Kirsch approve only of “respectful, appreciative attention” from women artists? And would she indulge men who are in awe of their “own most singular parts”? The vagina is not the most mysterious part of a woman. That honor goes to the brain, as it does for men.
These exhibits might be swell, but surely not because their artists’ treatment of the content is “respectful.” Art cannot be judged on its manners, good or bad, or its attitudes.
Below, a watercolor on the theme by Seattle’s Amanda Manitach from her blog, My Heroes Died of Syphilis. I like it not because I have a weakness for the genitalia of female syphilitics, but because it makes its own atmospheric world, both ruined and lovely.
Other stories:
An Aesthete’s Lament noticed the floors in The King and I:
My family and I were watching Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr in The King and I a few weeks ago and one aspect of the sets caught our mutual attention–the high-gloss floors.
Jet black, pale blue, jade green, and shocking pink, King Rama IV’s residence in Bangkok, the Grand Palace…was all about super reflective, boldly coloured floors and masses of airy chinoiserie. For one mad moment we discussed painting our wood floors similarly, then remember what hell was wrought when we coated them with shining white epoxy paint, and the feeling passed.
Just as I suspected: An exposure to luxury goods can turn you into a shit. (Via AJ) For those who are confused, art is not a luxury good. Think Rolex, not Tim Rollins.
The mere exposure to luxury goods can have a corrosive effect on decision-making that pushes individuals to put their interests over the interests of others, according to a Harvard Business School study. (more)
Best art blog lead, from Art Fag City:
If the Meet the Biennial Curators press breakfast is any indication — and it never is — this year’s Whitney Biennial will be really great. (more)
Best new online art magazine – This Is Tomorrow. For the images alone, it deserves a prize, but there are also excellent reviews with a global reach.
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