PANEL:
"Artist, Woman, Human: Feminism in Practice"
Chair: Anoka Faruqee, Yale University
Panelists: Mariángeles Soto-Díaz, University of Iowa; Erika Suderberg, University of California, Riverside; Dorit Cypis, Independent Artist
Materialist, pragmatist philosophies, such as the neo-humanism of Edward Said and engaged secular
Buddhism, strive to define social theory apart from dogma and lament the lack of methodologies of
“practice” (as in relation to the prosaic and the body, for example) in Western philosophical traditions. We
will discuss conflicts between dogma and practice, defining “practice” as artistic, activist or even religious,
with a focus on feminist histories. Ultimately, to address systemic inequities in society, including
entrenched patriarchy, no gesture is too small. In 2012, social inequities can be subtle enough to seem
invisible; and resistance may function in a similar way. The myth that activism must be singularly fierce to
be committed needs to be challenged. We need to think of activism in the plural and open form. What
shapes do activism and feminism take during the day: at home, in the classroom or in the studio?
EVENT:
Shares & Stakeholders: The Feminist Art Project Day of Panels at the 100th Annual College Art Association Conference
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)
February 25, 2012
Organized by Audrey Chan and Elana Mann
sharesandstakeholders.com
