Jerry Salts Saltz says that time is up for the MoMA to deliver on promises to display "multiple narratives" in its permanent installation—that is, work by women. New York Magazine follows up with a run-down on gender dynamics at other art institutions:
THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARTBringing women into the conversation is the biggest problem facing the art world.
Men: 85%
Women: 15%
That's for the permanent-collection items on view; Kara Walker's show is downstairs.MATTHEW MARKS GALLERY
Men: 85%
Women: 15%
Four women on an otherwise male roster.THE 2007 VENICE BIENNALE
Men: 76%
Women: 24%
As recently as 1995, the lineup was just 9 percent female.ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH 2007
Men: 73%
Women: 27%
The upcoming fair will be enormous: 2,859 artists, about 715 of them women.MARIANNE BOESKY
Men: 75%
Women: 25%
But it's 50-50 in the gallery right now, with work by Liz Craft and a two-man show.THE FRICK COLLECTION
Men: 99%
Women: 1%
There are two sculptures and one print by female artists in the collection, plus some anonymous work.
Bringing women into the conversation is the biggest problem facing the art world...laydeez.
Posted by: Becks at November 20, 2007 5:47 PMUgh. Nobody wants to be a token, yet there remains this obsession with meeting quotas.
Maybe we need a revised Nochlin essay that explains how women artist, despite having educational opportunities, still have to deal with the "woman" factor. It's not much fun to wonder if your work is actually good or just not bad for a girl. Or wondering if it is horrible because you aren't referencing your genitals enough. That type of solution,(noting m vs. f) is actually part of the problem.
Think about it: if someone is your equal, why would you constantly point out what makes them different?
Put the glass slipper on the other foot and see how ugly it looks.
Posted by: kona at November 20, 2007 10:33 PMAfter reading this I thought I'd check how many female artists are in the Whitney Biennial next year, since their names were just released: 42% women / 58% men (if I added and divided right).
I know that doesn't set the world on fire but it's better than Miami Basel.
Posted by: LL Smooth J at November 21, 2007 3:30 PMThanks for comments. I followed up with some other stuff here.
Posted by: Kriston at November 21, 2007 3:34 PM