FABRICATIONS: CONSTRUCTING FEMALE IDENTITY
Laura Elkins • Coleen Fitzgibbon • Laura Marsh
Curated by Yulia Tikhonova
Opening Reception: Friday, January 10, 6-8 PM
Show runs January 7-31, 2014
Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie St. NYC
Artist Talk & Screening with Coleen Fitzgibbon
Wednesday, Jan. 15 @ 7:30 PM
FABRICATIONS features the work of Laura Elkins, Coleen Fitzgibbon, and Laura Marsh. The exhibition attempts to both explore and deconstruct mass media depictions of women. Though the Feminist movement is closing its 5th decade, little has changed in mass media. The span of years represented by these artists attests to the endurance of women as the object/subject of the male gaze, ambition, and fantasy. The descent from archetype to stereotype has been relentless; feminist artists have their work cut out for them.
From the beginning of television, stereotypes of women served political agendas. Once portrayed as weak, and manipulated by men, women are now “seemingly” independent actors. Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Hillary Clinton are recent examples. Although women’s roles in society have changed, the media tools that fabricate their identity remain the same: aggressive media campaigns, over-abundance of paparazzi images, and an extensive crew of assistants and advisors.
Elkins, Fitzgibbon and Marsh deconstruct the way we conventionally process media images, using political and social juxtapositions, and spatial distortions. Blending candor, humor, and psychological analysis, these artists subvert the mediatization of the female idols and icons of American popular culture. They make it clear that it is hard work to become a symbol, and even harder to remain one.
Gallery/Lounge: 6 PM-Midnight Monday–Saturday
Daytime showings by appointment. Phone: 212.219.0736 ext ‘0’
Contact: Curator Yulia Tikhonova, [email protected], 646-596-1283
