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So yesterday I was upset by a post on a feminist blog that I read called Feministing. I mean I am often upset by the posts there, but usually because they bring up real important issues for women that are troubling and disturbing, in terms of civil rights and violence and such. But yesterday I was upset because there was a post that was highly critical of a jeweler whose work I love, Margaux Lange. She is a silversmith who uses doll parts in her work, and apparently this pushes many buttons for people.
The blog was critical because it said these jewelry pieces are examples of the representation of dismembered women. The blog has recently been showing disturbing images of products made to resemble women's parts, designed mostly for men (as one might think the most base and stereotypical "guy" man), and in a way that is really blatantly crass and objectifying. Like bathroom elements such as urinals resembling scantily clad female lower torsos. I agree witht eh blog writers there, that is pretty disturbing. But I don't think that compares to this jewelry at all. 
I mean, these pieces are crafted from doll parts, which can be shocking in different ways. Barbies are very iconic. And they are icons of different things to different people. To some they are the ideal toy, to some the ideal woman. To others, they are hated... a symbol of something stereotypical, unattainable, and sexist. Some find them beautiful, some find them ugly. They are designed to resemble real flesh and features, but are in proportions that are surreal (also without defined genitals which makes a statement too). And to some, they are just dolls, frivolous and beautiful objects to adorn and admire. 
Lange keeps the meanings behind her work pretty open on her website and artist statement, which may be some of the issue for people who are challenged by this jewelry. It's not all laid out in a neat tidy statement what she means with this work. But to be honest, not everything has to be all Guerrilla Girl in Art to make a statement about something. That's one of the criticisms I read in the comments of the post. That these pieces are offensive because they are not in the context of a feminist art gallery showing of some sort, so it is unclear what they mean. That really bothers me, because it brings up the high art/low art question. Why can't something well crafted and personal, like jewelry, be a statement. Why does something have to hand in a gallery with a statement of purpose to be declared art, or to be activist art? To me jewelry is a personal statement, and in some ways it is more powerful than a big activist museum show.
I think these pieces are saying things about our throwaway society. Becuase they are found objects, they are recycled. It makes you think of the history of each part. Discarded playthings which find new life. They were once collected, played with, and have been abandoned. I think by taking their parts and making them into jewelry, it makes them sacred. It becomes a little altar or amulet, both powerful spiritual tools of adornment. Barbie is a toy that is meant to be accessorized, good or bad. Clothing and jewelry can can be all about glamour and beauty, or it can be about wealth and status. It can also be about meaning and revolution. I love the idea of jewelry that tells a story or makes a statement in a social or political way. The jewelry and gold/diamond/gemstone industry is enormous, and not without human suffering, so I think that using discarded dolls as raw materials makes a big statement about the industry itself.
Mostly I think the pieces are beautiful, and that the use of particular doll body parts is not representing disembodied women and people, but is in fact drawing attention to the parts in a surprising way, so that one is left to think about a number of different issues. In particular, if you look at Lange's site, I am drawn to the use of multi colored "fleshtones" of the dolls, and I think many of those pieces make some interesting statements about unity and racial equality, and the beauty of all skin colors. I think there are some pieces that use Ken dolls with Barbie dolls, and I think those pieces present some nice visual representations of male/female relations. And most of all, the use of a singular body part makes you think about that part, weather it is a hand, a mouth, an eye, or ear. It makes you explore that anatomical part, its function, its beauty, its iconography. And the use of a familiar material in an unfamiliar way is a brilliant way that Lange makes us think about these things.
Margaux Lange's pieces can be purchased in her Etsy Shop
Today's song is one that I knew from Elvis Costello, "Tear off your own head (it's a doll revolution) Here is the Bangle's cover of it, set to some art video, with the Doors and Floyd at the end for no reason I understand... It was the best quality song I could find on You Tube today.
thoughtful
Comments
Sometimes, I think the people on feministing are not very well versed in art or craft, and don't know how to talk about it (especially craft as art). I disagree with them in some ways, but in general I enjoy what they have to say. It's ok to disagree with them, and I think disagreement is healthy. Especially when they have a knee-jerk reaction to something like this.
Yes, that may be true that the writers on Feministing may not be well versed in "art-speak" and talking about expression of that nature. Maybe not as tuned into the subtleties of artistic expression. Come to think of it, I can't remember reading any other art or craft debate really.
But I am new to reading feminist thought, and that blog has really helped me see things that I didn't even know were there, and think about things I never think about, so I am grateful for it. Even if I disagree sometimes.
I think it's fine to be offended as well, I mean art is subjective, if it's not clear enough people are going to walk away with what they think it means.
When I was in college I told thousands of photos of porn on TV, I sat in the hall reading and listening to what people thought of them, a few people said I needed to get laid and that would solve my problems. I wanted to hear all of that because there was nothing to explain what the photos were about because it was about what people's reactions were, not why I took them.
I think I lost what I was saying. Oh subjectivity. If people don't want their work taken the wrong way they honestly need to be very clear as to what it's about because it's not always going to say the same thing to each person.
Personally I find the jewelry interesting, more because I try and understand the process. =)
And I agree that offending people with art is a really great way to challenge them to actually think about something.
Sometimes I feel kinda bad that I am not making a big statement with the things that I make. At this point, I just make pretty things, and really try to be careful not to offend. I don't do things that are particularly challenging. It stinks kinda, but I rely on the things I make to eat and live, so it changes things a bit, unfortunately. I guess I just try to live a good life, and make good choices, and show that an artist can be responsible and thoughtful and make a living.
I do try to support those who are saying something more though.
It's really tough to be an artist and not get people all upset at your work.
I think I just lost my train of thought because my dog just barked at me and the husband is ignoring his want to go out. I get where you are coming from though.
It is tough to be an artist, and to make things that appeal to most people and don't offend. Not everyone likes my stuff though, so maybe i am doing something right, lol! I have peeved more than a few people with things like my skulls and devils and monstery things, even though they are the most light hearted and silly things I can imagine. Come to think of it, I have pissed some people off with my goddesses, peace signs, and some of the words I incorporate in my works too. But you know, those people are just not going to get me and appreciate my things.
That's the thing, this is the only "work" I do. I don't have other more private work that I can use to talk aobut political/social stuff. So I guess i incorporate it the best I can...