Saturday, September 17, 2011

Museum of Motherhood opens in NYC!

Photo courtesy of Amy Gates at http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com
Check out her awesome blog!


Edith Evans and Aphra Behn did a short performance last night for the opening of the Museum of Motherhood (401 East 84th St in NYC). We asked everyone we knew what they would put in a museum of motherhood:

I would put a stopwatch in a museum of motherhood. The first five years feel like 20, and the next 20 feel like five. From a mother for 22 years named Martha

I would put a video that records the daily, quotidian tasks of mothering and just put in on a loop. My experience with mothering has been that often after hours of juggling mundane tasks, the most unbelievable joy that you never imagined surfaces, and you just hold it and are so incredibly satisfied. - From a mother for 6 years named Ripeheart

I would put something strong like a rock. Something soft like a flower. A piece of baroque music and a statue of the blessed mother who would keep it all in focus because she is the mother of us all. - We are all mothers for anyone we care for so this is from someone who’s been a mother from the age of 10 named Eve.

I would put Laughter, Strength, Joy, Intelligence, and Significance. - From a mother for 29 years, 2 months and a pregnancy of 9 months – Diane

I would put a "book report diorama". A bottle of childrens motrin. Chicken Nuggets. Coupons from babyGap, Childrens Place and Gymboree and the book: "healthy sleep, happy baby". - From a mother of 11 years named Robyn

I would put in a rollercoaster, both exciting and scary at the same time. - From Marionna

I would put a tantrum, a diaper, and the first real conversation you have with your child because those moments disappear so quickly. - From a mom for 7 years who didn't know she needed a boy.

I would put a box of tissues because a mother needs tissues to wipe the tears of joy from her eyes at the happiness a child gives to you; To wipe the nose of her child when they are sick and to wipe away your sniffles when your child finds a significant other who now becomes the most important person on the earth to them. From a mother for 44 and 1/2 years named Mrs. Fitz

I would put photos that people take of their children - not professional photos - snapshots by parents - how they see their children and what they choose to capture of them. - From a mom for 21 years named Maryanne

I would put a bronze bust of my bust because it is an ever-evolving place of food, sleep, aid, comfort and hugs. My chest has become home base. - From a mom for 5 and 3/4 years named Terri

I would put a special hearing aid that puts interruptions in cogent order. A vending machine to dispense items to children as NEEDED (not desired). An extra brain in a jar that could be sutured to my left shoulder in times of high demand (that would be waking hours). A periscope with a Google Earth camera at the end of it so I can see where my kids are at all times. And a large red sign that attaches to the shoulders and continuously flashes the word NO in bright red (that is my default answer to almost every question). The alternate words on the flashing sign woud be "can you justify that request?" - From a lesbian step mom for 29 year and a 'moms' (because that is how our oldest addresses us) for 13 years named mamalamadingdong

I would put diagram of a woman being pulled in a million directions. - From a mom named Rizz

I would put the earth itself in honor of the feminine body because we are all born, from her, equally. - From a Mom named gash girl

I would put my own mother because she is incredible. - From a mother for 30 years named Katie

I would put a bar where they served free drinks to Moms at all times. - From a mom named Georgina

I would put the idea that it never ends. - From a mom for 35 years named Jean

I would put an aunt. Aunts are important. I love being a mother but being an aunt by relation or by choice is awesome. I had some crazy southern aunts who supported me and gave me perspective that my mother sometimes didn't have. Aunts do some important mothering as well. - From a mother named Martha

I would put pictures my kids made in kindergarten. At that time their concept of family was the same as their concept of love. - From a motehr for 18 years named Maria

I would put a special sort of sleeping area where mothers could sleep without interruption, perhaps a special headset would play tapes allowing them to believe that all is well with their children. Also an area where teenagers can sleep through their teen years and awake, like sleeping beauties on their 21st birthdays, fully ready to participate in life, having slept through those traumatic teen years safely. - From a mother for 39 years named sleepless

I would put letters from my son and a shawl he bought me in India. - from a mother for 19 years named Eva

I would put a clock because I am always racing against it, lagging behind, checking milestones, not having enough of it. Or a big role of electrical tape for the mouth of those perfect strangers with unsolicited advice/ criticisms. And if you wanted something more sentimental a video of my daughter running toward the viewer with that amazing smile ready to give you her hardest embrace. - from a mother for 13 and 1/2 years named Stella

For more info on the museum of motherhood go to www.MOMmuseum.org

Monday, September 12, 2011

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT CHOICE ANYMORE


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Portfolios now on sale! Monkey Business: The First 10 Years includes limited editions of our first 16 posters: For more info posters@ggontour.com

Monday, August 8, 2011

Feminists Are Funny: Gay Pride Edition

Watch us at Lincoln Center's Target Free Thursday's June 16, 2011. "Feminists Are Funny: Gay Pride Edition" with Aphra Behn, Josephine Baker, Edith Evans and Eva Le Gallienne!


Sunday, August 7, 2011

The F Factor: Female artists of The Bahamas



Wanted to share this article from The Nassau Gardian by Sonia Farmer about the F Factor exhibit:

"...the dynamic exhibition “The F Factor: Female Artists of The Bahamas” opened at The D’Aguilar Art Foundation, showcasing work in a wide range of media from 24 established and practicing female artists based in The Bahamas.

For curator Holly Parotti, the show is a culmination of experiences that she and her contemporaries have faced over the years — from exclusion to outward sexism — both as artists and simply just as women.

The show itself is even drawn from extensive Bahamian collections in the care of two women, Dawn Davis and Saskia D’Aguilar. Viewers may even be pleasantly surprised to find a piece each by both of these powerful women alongside the work by female artists they supported and promoted through their collecting.

Parotti was inspired by the spirit of the Guerrilla Girls, a group of anonymous female artists, formed in New York City, that addresses sexism through powerful — and some may say antagonist — artwork, especially sexism in the art world itself.

“Collecting the work from this group, I asked myself, what were these women thinking when they decided to become an artist and to really put that into their perspective in life?” Parotti says.

“I think it’s a conversation to have with the male and female artists in this community, to ask when did you decide to become an artist? What was going on in your life? Were you raising a family? Were you getting married? It’s that whole part of Bahamian culture of what happens in a young woman’s life that she makes those decisions that could take her one way or another, based on the pressures that may be put on her from whatever sources.”

Read more here: http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11995&Itemid=59

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Calling All Alaska Native Artists!


The Alaska Native Heritage Center announces an exciting opportunity for Alaska Native writers and other artists. Alaska Native Playwrights Project (ANPP) seeks to identify, teach and nurture Alaska Native playwrights and to establish a repertoire of uniquely Alaska Native plays derived from the rich oral tradition of Alaska’s indigenous cultures. Last year’s initial cohort completed nine plays, all of which received readings at Cyrano’s Playhouse to launch Anchorage’s Alaska Native American Indian Heritage Month celebration. Subsequently, three of the plays were included in the Play Lab of the 2011 Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK, and two were invited to the Native Voices Playwrights Retreat and 13th Festival of Plays, with readings at LaJolla Playhouse in San Diego and the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. Now, they are recruiting our next cohort of ten Alaska Native artists from across the state for a year-long mentorship. Call for Participants, Artist Application and FAQ Sheet are available online at www.alaskanative.net.
For more information: Email ebourgeois@alaskanative.net or call (907) 330-8057.

The deadline for artist applications is August 31, 2011.

Go bananas Alaskan women in theatre!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Women's Caucus for Art exhibit "Man as Object, Reversing the Gaze"


Our poster My Fellow Californians was selected by the juror Tanya Augsburg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies (Creative Arts and Humanities), at San Francisco State University, for inclusion in the Man as Object, Reversing the Gaze, an exhibition to be held at SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, San Francisco from November 4 – 26, 2011.


About the Women’s Caucus for Art

The Women's Caucus for Art (WCA) is the leading national organization for women in the visual arts professions. Founded in 1972, it has 27 chapters across the country and is an affiliate society of the College Art Association. WCA is dedicated to the cultural, aesthetic and economic value of women’s art. If you are not already a member, we invite you to join a WCA chapter so you can participate in an activist community of women artists. Visit www.nationalwca.org.


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Have a Feminist 4th!

Happy 4th of July to all feminists! Here is our favorite video of Grucci fireworks over Lady Liberty in New York City Harbor. Enjoy and have a safe and happy 4th of July!





xxxGuerrilla Girls On Tour!
www.facebook.com/GuerrillaGirlsOT

Monday, June 27, 2011

"Lesbian, Vagina, Feminist!" - our show at Lincoln Center




June 19, 2011

Dear Diary, 


Three days later and I'm still reeling from our show at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center - Target Free Thursdays! on June 16th.. The day started with a marathon 4-hour rehearsal. We then donned our new bright yellow jumpsuits designed by GGOT costumer Liz Claiborne and headed out. We quickly learned how difficult it is to hail a cab in New York City dressed as a Guerrilla Girl On Tour! Thank goodness for our rock star tech grrl Laura Keene. She saved the day and whisked us off to Lincoln Center. Upon arrival we were greeted by the amazing staff and coordinators of the Atrium - and instantly felt at home.

The show was a huge success and a fun romp through historical and current feminist and LGBTQI events and issues. At the end we were asked why we felt LGBTQI issues were relevant to our stated mission of focusing on discrimination and racism. Why do 'queer issues' become so important to feminists? Because the people of a culture cannot be free if one group is being discriminated against. The concerns of every minority group are the concerns of feminists. We then posed with audience members for photos - everyone from young feminists, to baby dykes, to a mom and her [5-year-old] daughter. The mom with the young girl told me that she was a single mom and that she went through college - as a women's studies major - with her child. She pointed to her daughter and said 'she's been to tons of feminist events already' - her face was full of pride and her smile absolutely lit the room. 

Last to leave were a group of senior citizens who came together in a van from their senior center. With walkers and canes they lined up, smiling and thanking us all for the show. We often look out on multi-generational audiences - but this time a truly diverse, and completely full group met our masked gaze. Many thanks to all! 


Until next time – Eva Le Gallienne


Dearest Blog,

A place you would take refuge in only if you were desperate to escape one more summer thunderstorm your mother didn't warn you about. That is how I remembered the public atrium at Lincoln Center. Not any more. The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center is gorgeous and green. The die-hard regulars enjoy sandwiches and Wi-Fi and Target Free Thursdays.

We members of Guerrilla Girls On Tour! didn't know what to expect. The audience is used to jazz music. They want their jazz music. They show up for their jazz music. Who are we? A bunch of feminist in masks and bright yellow jump suits carrying around a supply of ripe bananas and not so ripe statistics. Are we swanky? NO. Are we smooth? NO. Are we a little be-bop? Nah. But we did rock the house. Can I say that? Why not.

Thank you audience. Thank you playwright in the front row whose jaw hit the floor at the unbelievable statistics of women playwrights on Broadway from 1908 to the present. Thank you lovely woman in the front row who was holding too much in her hands to snap so tapped her feet instead. Thank you lovely man audience right who stepped in as the “question from the audience” guy when the first audience member backed out. Thank you first audience member for pulling out your glasses and giving the “question from the audience” your best shot. Thank you two lovely ladies from the all girls high school for loving the show and having a chat afterwards. Thank you younger sister from the Florida University who started the feminist blog on her college campus. Thank you older sister for introducing her. Thank you Julia Miles for producing plays by women and announcing those from your seat in the audience during “announcements from the audience”. Thank you everyone for supporting the Marriage Equality Bill. Thank you toddler for joining in the chant during the sound check. You are precious and adorable.

It was a happy, happy night.

xoEdith Evans


Dear GGOT Diary,

Wow! What an amazing show! We just performed at The Atrium at Lincoln Center. Lincoln Center! Can you believe it? It was all in honor of Gay Pride Month. And now, with the new ruling honoring gay marriage in New York, how apropos! We're so current :)

Right before we began making our entrance, I could feel that my wig was a little tighter than normal. And, as we grew nearer to the stage, I could feel it ejecting itself off of my head! It was like it was alive, and wanted no part of me! I just prayed that it would stay on, and not come flying off during our dance sequences! I tried to make jokes, but it was a serious deal. I never have wig problems! Eventually, I was able to move around enough pins to insure that I wouldn't loose it.

Finally, I could fully focus on the show - our energy was so high that the audience quickly got swept away in our feminist furor!

For me, there were two highlights of the night. The first came when I went into the audience to find a guy feminist. I looked out, and spotted a man who looked perfect. So, I go to him and ask him to participate in the show by reading a question. At first he was really excited. He even asked if he should come on stage! But then when it was time to read he started fumbling for his glasses, and it became pretty evident that he couldn’t do it….the words just weren't coming out right, then he looked at me and goes 'What does this mean?' I, myself, became confused! Do I walk away from this guy, and find someone else? Or should I force him, in true Julia Child style, to read the damn card? I decided to ask him what he wanted to do, and as I figured, he did not want the job. So now, on to find someone else! I asked the guy next to him. Nope. He wasn't into it. I called out into the general audience. No takers. I began feeling a little disheartened. Like I had blown the joke, and now, no one would be into it. But then, the girls started motioning toward a man who would do it! And he was great. Thank Goddess!

The second highlight was when we debuted our new song "Lesbian, Vagina, Feminist!". The audience sang, and clapped along with us. We totally rocked out with our vaginas out, and it was so much fun.

Thank you Lincoln Center – Next stop Avery Fisher Hall!

Xxxx

~Josephine Baker

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

GIRL FACTS! from Aphra Behn



Facts about my experience as a member of the group GUERRILLA GIRLS!

I joined the Guerrilla Girls in 1997.


Between 1985 and 2000, close to 100 women, working collectively and anonymously, produced posters, billboards, public actions, books and other projects to make feminism funny and fashionable.

In 2001 Guerrilla Girls experienced what I affectionately call the "Banana Split" - when three separte and independent groups formed.

These groups were new groups as the old group stopped meeting. Old Girls retired to the jungle. Some joined the new groups.

The new groups are:

1) Guerrilla Girls On Tour! www.ggontour.com www.twitter.com/GuerrillaGsOT www.facebook.com/GuerrillaGirlsOt www.tumbler.com/GuerrillaGirlsOT


2) Guerrilla Girls BroadBand www.ggbb.org

3) Guerrilla Girls, INC.


Any questions? Fe-mail info@ggontour.com

Expect a Pop(e) Quiz during summer school.


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Institute for Women and Art - FEMINIST FETE!


June 5th was a fabulous Sunday. We celebrated the opening of our exhibit "Feminist Masked Avengers" at Rutgers Institute for Women and Art!


GGOT, Josephine Baker






Aphra Behn with Guerrilla Girls BroadBand member, Gerda Taro

The exhibit lasts until September 7th. For more info visit: http://iwa.rutgers.edu/home/