March Week Two

This week we talked about female artists, starting off with the thought-provoking video by Jemima Kirke, Where Are the Women?

Then we studied, described and talked about many women's work in fine arts: painting, sculpture, photography, and experimental art.

Listening:
For learners, try a biographical text about the American painter Georgia O'Keefe (mp3 and transcript), or about Athena Zhe, creating art on bodies.

For original version, check out this snippet of Marina Abramovic about Time, Performance, Art and Nothingness. Or an episode from Stuff You Missed in History Class on Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun that recounts how the 18th-century portraitist rose to be the first female court artist, creating some 30 paintings of Marie-Antoinette before the French Revolution disrupted her life and legacy.

Reading:
Learners can read about American photographer Diane Arbus, or painter Mary Cassat. These texts are also available with mp3 to listen at the same time.

If you're looking for something in original version, read the Guardian article, Why are all the great artists men?.  Or try an article from Vanity Fair about the American photographer Nan Goldin.

Writing:
Spend some time exploring women artists and their work.  Choose one piece and describe it, be careful with your adjectives and description! What is the artist saying with her work? Why is it important?
​Best,
Kelly