I thought that I knew Judy Chicago's Dinner Party. I've seen it in reproduction so much. Most art history texts now include a small photo and a sentence or two about this major collaborative work. I also own a book that is just about it and it's creation. However, viewing the installation in the
Elizabeth A Sackler Center at the Brooklyn Museum was very powerful. I didn't expect to be so moved.
The hand made care and determination that went into each place setting touched me deeply. The quiet, dark and reverent room allowed so many feminine spirits a space to communicate with each other and with me.
It was just fantastic.
11 comments:
Been watching your NYC journal with great interest, but this one moved me most. I've been there. When she was in NY for the opening, saw her at a Gallery, then went out to Brooklyn, and it is powerful still. So glad you felt the same. I have the biography by Gail Levin "Becoming Judy Chicago"...It might interest you ISBN978=1=4000-5412-1
I've never seen it in person... thanks for giving me a clue as to how it might be. I've always loved the concept and I guess thought about it more intellectually than emotionally. I bet learning about it in art school also had something to do with that.... I'm sure my response to it would be quite different now anyway.
Judy, I'm old enough to remember the news it made when it was first exhibited. it traveled and I was fortunate to see it installed during it's initial outing in Chicago. it was in an industrial space, you had to take freight elevators up...it was a little spooky. but once you arrived on the floor of the exhibit it was quite transforming. the lighting was very dramatic and you had to view it in a queue slowly moving around the great hall. it felt very ceremonial. no surprise it was mostly women and almost complete silence. it was very powerful for it's time. i remember the emily dickinson one as my favorite (no surprise. i think it changed a lot of people then and still does now. it is a true tribute to the silence of history. what a special experience for you to share with you daughter. cheers
yes, I am old enough to remember when it was made but not fortunate enough to see it, would love to do that one day. it was wonderful to hear that you were so moved...
I love the way you write about your experience here. Can't imagine the power of invoking in a sacred space the names of all these women; source history, female milk roots--and all the unknown powers (un-named lives) that fill the cracks (and matter)
the Emily D photo moves me.
.
(so what did V.Woolf whisper in your ear? r u going to tell :)
.
thank you
Hi Judy,
Thanks for introducing me to this Dinner Party! Being a Dutch 60+ lady without a formal art education I never heard/read about it! So interesting to read these facts that involve all of us women!
WOW! three new posts to read. I have lots of catching up to do. Glad your mother-daughter trip was so wonderful.
wow Judy you atually saw this piece! I love her work and especially this piece. I remember when it was in the news for being so shocking. Thanks for reminding me about it again, l shall go now and re read all about itx Glad you had a great tripx lynda
i saw this in cleveland in maybe 1980.
it is intense---& i mean intense ---for you to write about it now.
her dedication ----
thank you for reminding me...
I would love to see this installation and it was good to read your reaction Judy.
I saw this piece in January and like you was moved beyond belief. It so powerful and strong and I felt so grateful that these women had made this; and so proud of the women they honoured. What a work - it can't be described properly without that feeling when you sit with it...oh my; a real highlight of our visit to NYC
Post a Comment