Part of my exploration into mythology and history within the context of my art has to due with the feminine archetype and our historical viewpoints regarding women. I am interested in exploring history from a female perspective, a history more often written from a masculine point of view. I am interested in surrealism and exploring further ideas such as Carl Jung’s collective unconscious and Joseph Campbell’s universality of myth along with creating new myths bringing in more feminine ideologies. My work explores the transformation of the female archetype of the virgin/whore dichotomy which pervades most of western art and religion. Throughout history the feminine is either condemned as a vixen or subjected as a victim of violence, the damsel in distress, the virgin incapable of defending herself. I hope to explore and entertain new narratives by delving into the mythologies and transforming the imagery to shed new light on the archetypal feminine figure. By reworking classical motifs and techniques with more female subject matter I hope to transform the over sexualized, victimized, and undervalued female stereotype into a strong feminine icon.
I've been thinking a lot about the victimization of women in life, in art, in history, and in ourselves.
This is a complicated subject. I've recently been watching The Fall on Netflix, in keeping with continual interest in mysteries. I've finished all of the classics several times over and finally gave in to modern crime stories as depressing as it is. I bring it up because it shows a strong professional female lead in control of her sexuality pitted against a killer who focuses on the same type. I find this interesting and frightening, because it is not the stereotypical prostitute killings or young helpless girl killing story. I also find it more disturbing in a way because it seems to reflect what has happened in society - the ruthless take down of strong female archetypes, whom for much of our known history have been singled out as the enemy. Our fearless heroine also points out that women are often put into categories of the virgin or the whore, a dichotomy which has personally perturbed me for some time.
Feminism is a tricky subject, with many perspectives - most of which are contradictory. The "freer" the female gets the more they seem to be objectified and marginalized. In my opinion neither extreme is the answer, but a simple medium ground based on personal and communal respect. It's not about not being free to be naked or "claim" the figure as a sexual object, nor is it about restricting oneself to conform to some impossible societal construct so as not to be seen. It is about being free to live a life of self respect and being treated as a person. Yes this has to do with society but it begins with the individual. We often either blame society or blame the victim (which is never the answer). I think it goes much deeper than people want to talk about. Sex is complicated and male and female relations have always had a polarization. We talk as if it isn't there but it is, and the desire to control the reproductive organs, the ability to bring life into the world has been a universal longing throughout time. I would argue much of society is built on this system, within religion within social constructs, within all culture. If men did not "protect" there women, they would not know who fathered children, and so women became an object of control and shame. It is why the slut is demonized and the virgin prized. The ability to birth life is the most powerful force, a god-like power, and anything that powerful quickly becomes a commodity. Society itself is built around control of that power. That is the purpose of familiar structures and religious institutions such as marriage.
But I digress, to continue we must return to basic biology. If the biological imperative is about procreation, or creation of life to continue existence of DNA and what not, than men and women have different biological needs in order to attain the desired outcome. Men, in order to pass on their DNA, need to impregnate as many women as possible to increase the likelihood of their progeny surviving. Women need to find the strongest, smartest, most fit men to impregnate them in order for their progeny to have the best chance of survival. It is also beneficial to have a mate that will protect and feed them during gestation periods and when they are protecting their young. This is how our bodies are programed. Society is an attempt to fill in the in between. I am not bringing this up to justify anything or place any stereotypical judgements or restrictions on behavior. It is to lay a foundation for understanding human behavior. And yet, it is wrong in my opinion to limit the human condition to this simple equation. I think needs and wants are far more complicated.
Than I think about Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut". I know women want and need more than simply procreating. I think that goes for all people. The in-between. Power, respect, desires, all universal human things not tied to gender. I think about Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and how depending on where anyone is on the pyramid things can change drastically. Beyond this present day portrayals of women are so often littered with images of victims and negative female archtypes that it is almost unheard of to see a positive image. Even superheros and heroines are sexualized, nearly naked barbie dolls. The new Blade Runner is a perfect example of negative female stereotypes filled with mindless androids built for sex or killing. Almost every crime show today is a montage of brutal serial killers raping torturing and mutilating women. Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? What is the world saying with this over and over and over again?
What does this mean for feminism? Why are women brutalized and condemned? What can we do to make things better? Unfortunately I don't know. I don't believe in any utopia, I don't think life is fair or made to be a perfect place. I think the problem is an intrinsic part of nature, a beautiful cruel beast that is life itself. Control, desire, survival - all these instincts can be overcome. What Freud calls the superego, the societal values which deafen the sounds of the id, fighting the eternal battle inside the ego. I do believe that we can and need to encourage strong women, brave women who will make their own good choices outside of men, society, and personal weakness. Positive female role models for our youth, women who are not constantly victimized or turned into objects of male pleasure. I don't think the answer lies in allowing oneself to become a sexual commodity, and I don't believe the answer lies in allowing oneself to be trapped under restrictions made by others. We are so lucky to live in a time where we have choices. Lets not take that for granted and try to respect the power and responsibility that comes with those choices. Sexuality is a powerful force, like wielding a gun. It has benefits and consequences. Lets learn to use it wisely. Yes, there are many problems and many bad things happen outside of out control. But what we can control is in ourselves. If we treat ourselves and others with respect, maybe we can foster that in others. It doesn't solve everything. I don't know if anything can, but it may be a start.
Lets remember the beautiful strong life giving goddesses, the female heroines in history (even if most of history is written by men suppressing women and their rights). Saint Joan, Artemis, Cleopatra (who is actually an amazing woman and politician not simply a flaky whore like history would have us remember), Hatchepsut, Empress Theodora, and many more who defied their sex and retained their dignity, strength, sexuality, and compassion. Let us not be defined by our shallow idols and historic victim-hood. After fulfilling our needs, can we be strong enough to fulfill our desires as well, outside of what others would impress on us for control? In a way that doesn't cause harm to ourselves or others.