Judy Chicago's "Revelations" at the Serpentine Gallery, London

"If men had babies, there would be thousands of images of the crowning.” - Judy Chicago

Today is Judy Chicago's 85th birthday, and this gives me an opportunity to write a few words about my experience of her retrospective, "Revelations," currently on at the Serpentine Gallery in London.

While I was very familiar with Chicago's iconic "Dinner Party" installation, the exhibition helped me fill a few gaps, notably thanks to the inclusion of her "Birth Project". Completed between 1980 and 1985, the project challenged the absence of birth imagery in Western art. True to her collaborative approach, Chicago worked with over 150 needleworkers to produce tapestries and textiles depicting various aspects of birth.

As a childless woman, I am not ashamed to say that I found the imagery both fascinating and absolutely terrifying. I won't lie, I had one of those 'won't look at it, cannot look away' moments (mostly I did look away, though, which is rather troubling). As a woman, I believe I have the ability to appreciate why this work was important and necessary. Chicago and her team of 'makers' not only addressed another crucial erasure celebrating the female experience, but also highlighted the collaborative nature of women's work, merging fine art with traditional crafts.

Overall, I felt that "Revelations" did a great job of capturing the essence of an artist whose persistent activism and commitment to promoting gender equality and environmental awareness, something else I knew little about, profoundly influenced the art world and continues to inspire change.

Happy birthday, Judy!

#judychicago #femaleartist #feministart #serpentinegallery #london #artblog #beyondthecanvasblog

Judy Chicago

The Crowning (Quilt 2/9), 1983

Quilting and embroidery over drawing and hand-painting on batik fabric

71.1 x 110.5 cm

Francis Alÿs's "Richochets" at London's Barbican

The "Ricochets" exhibition at the Barbican, showcasing the work of Francis Alÿs, will take you on an emotionally powerful journey that captures the essence and universality of childhood play across the globe. Alÿs's multi-screen video installations show mesmerising footage of children playing games in over 15 different countries, depicting both their innocence and their indomitable spirit in the face of adversity.

Alÿs (and the excellent curators Amanda Ostende and Ines Geraldes Cardoso) have created a sort of cinematic playground where raw joy and fierce competitiveness come alive regardless of the children's circumstances. From the playful simplicity of Danish kids dancing in pairs to save an orange from falling to the ground to the gut-wrenching and politically charged film shot in war-torn Ukraine where young boys dressed up like cops stop cars in their quest to find Russian spies, Alÿs’s videos offer a stark yet beautiful contrast of emotions. First you will smile thinking back to when you used to play exactly the same games. And then you will suddenly feel heartbroken when faced with the harsh realities many children face, such as the young Afghan boy illegally flying his small kite, or the Iraqi children playing football amidst the rubble of Mosul. Each film is a testament to the universal nature of play and its vital role in children’s lives, regardless of where they are, and I couldn't help but think about the role played by adults in the life of those kids who are unable to enjoy a carefree childhood.

I honestly cannot recommend this hugely relevant exhibition enough, everyone should see it. I am very grateful to Kath Mellor for bringing it to my attention. "Ricochets" is so much more than just a film installation, it is a life-affirming, exhilarating and thought-provoking experience that I am intending to repeat on my next London visit. Do not miss it.

At London's Barbican Centre until 1st September 2024

#francisalys #ricochet #contemporaryart #videoart #installation #barbican #london #artblog #beyondthecanvasblog

All films © Francis Alys

Italy's 78th Republic Day

Today the Italian Republic turns 78. On June 2nd, 1946 a whopping 90% of the electorate flocked to the polls to decide between the monarchy and the republic. Importantly, that was also when 13 million women were eligible to vote for the first time. The women you see in this mosaic are among the ones who dutifully lined up to exercise a right of citizenship that had long been denied to them. Whatever they voted for, I am grateful for the role they played on that day.

Such full-throated commitment to active participation in deciding the country’s fate is in sharp contrast with the increasing ongoing trend to abstain from the polls, and a state of general indifference and disaffection with politics. How much we take for granted, how easily we forget these are hard-fought rights. As far as I'm concerned, I am going to put myself in the shoes of those women who cast their vote for the 1st time 78 years ago. Like them, I am going to use my democratic privilege and exercise my right in the hope that my choice will change things for the better. Vote ffs, vote.

#2giugno #festadellarepubblica #equality #democracy #vote #blog #beyondthecanvasblog