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CJ Munn
Joined:
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20-Apr-2004
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Started On : 08-Aug-2010 at 10:53:18 PM, #Views : 6727
Topic Subject : Re: Castings of privy parts |
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While I enjoyed the article and agreed with several points, Dave, I would argue that just because something involves the sex organs, it doesn't necessarily make shock the only emotion to be provoked, or for the piece to be emotionless.
I don't feel strongly either way about penises (and there's a statement I'm sure that will come back to haunt me) ;o) but when I was casting a collection of vulvas called The Designer Vaginas (which were displayed in the same original exhibition in London that Jamie's Spice of Life was made for), it was a very emotional experience indeed.
Although the finished pieces were highly decorated and stylised, making them that bit more 'artistic', even the original, untouched casts in their 'naked glory' produced a whole range of emotions. You could consider it science as much, if not more than art, but it was definitely emotional. The pieces were all cast on one day from a group of women I knew via the internet. They had never met in real life before, and came from all walks of life with different reasons for wanting to take part in the workshop. Some wanted to do it for fun, others were doing it to try and feel better about their body after a variety of traumas that they associated with their genitals or femininity. But whatever their reasons, the outcome was the same - real raw and positive emotion.
When we had completed the casting sessions, we lined up the vulva and all just came and stared. As a bunch of heterosexual women, we never really had the chance to compare or contrast before. In this country, at least, little boys grow up with the opportunity to slyly peer at their friends in the group urinals or communal showers. It's all out on display. For women, it's a different matter. Unless you want to stare at air brushed, surgically enhanced pornography and feel bad about yourself for not being as perfectly symmetrical/bleached/shaved as the living dolls there then there is no legitimate chance to know and understand the vulva. Staring at yourself awkwardly with a mirror between your ankles is never the same as being able to get up close to look properly at a 3d representation.
As we stared at the collection, wonderful things happened. Instead of the traditional British 'recoil' from these body parts (our culture can be very negative about the female organs), everyone found them fascinating, beautiful. As different and varied and yet similar as a bunch of lilies and orchids. People pointed out the features they liked - varied 'petals' and folds that some had, the cuteness of others, the intricacy of another, the size and shape of the clitoris, the fleshiness of the pubic mound. Everyone found something positive to say about someone else's, and everyone liked their own. The emotions produced were fascination, awe, wonder and above all...relief. To know we're all different yet somehow all the same is a huge revelation. And I expect staring at a wall of penises, a great many guys would feel the same emotions - "I'm normal" is a very valuable reaction to be able to give anybody. Or even for the unusual varieties 'I'm not alone' is nearly as valuable a response for an artist to provoke in a viewer. It's a gift. For the women in my little workshop group, it made them feel more 'cohesive' and allowed them to connect with their physical bodies so their emotional and physical selves were more aligned. Some described walking out of the workshop with a spring in their step, feeling more confident. Showing the pieces online when they were finished produced nothing but positive comments from other viewers - 'enlightenment' some called it. I don't think anyone was shocked...not even my mother.
No, rows of penises and vulva aren't new and original or clever, and weren't even original when Jamie and I were doing them all those years ago. But then loads of what we produce and show on ALI isn't original. But people shouldn't be criticised for doing their variation on a theme...it's all a learning process and it might well be new to them, their country or even just their town.
As for who would want/buy such art, someone wanted my little collection of vulvas so much that they stole them all from the locked gallery! So if anyone finds or spots a collection of highly decorated vulvas anywhere in the world, please let me know.
CJ
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