The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago is a prime example of equality and inclusion in art. The piece is a feminist commentary as a large banquet table. At each seat there is a place setting for 39 notable and influential women from history and mythology. At each seat there are gold, embellished place settings that have female reproductive imagery. These plates represent Mother Nature and the reproductive aspects of being female. Below the triangular table, there are 999 other women’s names painted on the floor. This takes giving women a seat at the table to an extreme, while emphasizing some of the amazing things women can do in an effort to show that we should all be treated equally. I think it is very impactful because she is literally giving notable women a seat at the table as the phrase suggests. There is a lot of repetition in this piece. There are 39 place settings that all include the same elements. There are also 999 names written on the floor in the same font all the way around. This piece takes the perspective of a feminist which is a highly debated topic, especially among those who don’t understand what it really means to be a feminist. I find this piece very inspiring because I went to an all girls school that focused very strongly on feminism and how amazing women are but not everyone has that point of view. I love seeing feminist artworks because it’s empowering to see women sticking up for each other and applauding each other.
The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. (1974-1979)
The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago, close up. (1974-1979)
Untitled (I Shop Therefore I am) by Barbara Kruger is a piece that is also about feminism and equality. The artwork is a photo of a hand with a phrase overtop that says, “I shop therefore I am.” This phrase refers to how women are portrayed in the media by the advertisements designed for them, generally created by men. It comments on the fact that the majority of advertisements geared towards women, made by men, assume all that women want are material items and men can keep women under their control with them. It is a piece that shows disruption and equality because she is disrupting the norm with her fight for equality. It is a very eye catching piece but when you think about it more, the piece resonates much stronger. When I first saw this piece years ago I was confused but the more I’ve seen it, and the more I’ve read about it, I’ve come to realize that it challenges the stereotype that women can be won over with material items. There is a very strong focal point in this piece as the only part in color is the phrase, “I shop therefore I am.” The hand in the background is in black and white which was very intentional because that is not the main focus of this piece. The use of this principle helps the viewer to focus on what is important much faster and easier in order to think about it deeper. The piece takes a feminist point of view which, again, is a highly debated topic. I find this piece very thought provoking and the more I see it as I grow older, the deeper my understanding becomes. It is inspiring because it is quite a simple image and composition yet it is very intentional and really truly makes me think.
Untitled by Barbara Kruger. (1987)
I think that disruption is a significant key to creating change in the world. If everyone were satisfied with the world, nothing would change. We need to disrupt the norm in order to improve and learn. I have realized through this exercise how important the role of artists is in disrupting the norm. I find that simple but meaningful art and design pieces catch my eye because I get overwhelmed with too much going on. If there is a focal point and meaning behind a piece I am able to break down the elements to it and think about my interpretation. These ideas that I spoke about don’t always have a simple design, but often they have a message they are trying to get across and I am able to understand and focus on that. I dream of designing homes that put people at peace with simple, yet creative, open and impactful designs. What I want to share in my future designs relates to equality because I think spaces can greatly impact mood, and I want my open concept designs to open people’s minds. You don’t have to agree with everyone but you can listen and learn from those around you.
