Time = Change
6-18 March 2014
Preview: Thursday 6 March 6-9pm Press Release Exploring the themes of Time = Change Time = Change takes a sweeping historical perspective on women’s struggle for social, sexual, political and cultural equality, acknowledging the remarkable accomplishments which early feminists might not have dreamed of, whilst confronting the darker realities of the many battles not yet won. Throughout history it has always been popular to despair at the state of contemporary society and to insist, as some politicians and newspapers still do, that ‘things can only get worse’, or at the very least that progress cannot be achieved and the status quo is somehow pre-ordained. But the pessimism of the naysayers is ill-founded. Even a cursory glance at history shows the astonishing achievements of liberation movements which have ended slavery, won votes and many other rights for women and ethnic minorities and have now brought marriage rights to same-sex couples in many Western nations. |
Time=Change at Espacio Gallery
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It is for this reason that the title of Espacio Gallery’s show is not just an observation of historical truth, but also a powerful and defiant prophesy and manifesto for the future. Time really does equal change.
Beginning with the initial aims of ‘first wave’ feminism which were fought over marriage and property rights in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Time = Change reaches back to classical mythology to reveal its ill-concealed underbelly of violent misogyny, as well as drawing attention to the troubling issue of child brides; once a commonplace in the West and still an intractable cultural practice in many parts of the modern world.
The show also explores the fight for cultural and political rights which occupied ‘second wave’ activists such as Carol Hanisch, originator of the now-famous phrase, “The personal is political.” In particular, exhibiting artists look at the increasing presence of women’s voices (which were once silenced) on the international stage, as well as drawing attention to forgotten female heroes and their place in national life.
Feminism’s ‘third wave’ sought to address the frequent exclusion of women of colour and non-middle-class voices from the equality debate. Time = Change confronts this painful issue as it faces up to the evil of slavery and draws in voices from women (and men) of differing heritage.
Despite decades of progress, sexuality and the body are still at the heart of attacks on women, who are frequently invalidated for their looks or, conversely, valued only for their sexual desirability. Just recently a Sun journalist drew attention to the outfit worn by a female MP who was calling for an end to Page 3, with the implication that there was an irony in dressing attractively whilst campaigning against naked women in his newspaper. It is here that Time = Change looks to the future, considering the pitfalls of sexting and online dating, and the perilous yet seductive mainstreaming of plastic surgery, a topic also explored in Jamie McCartney’s ‘Great Wall of Vagina’ installation.
With the ‘fourth wave’ of feminism now underway, at least in the UK, it’s hard to predict what the future will bring, except one thing’s for sure, and that’s change.
Participating artists
Beginning with the initial aims of ‘first wave’ feminism which were fought over marriage and property rights in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Time = Change reaches back to classical mythology to reveal its ill-concealed underbelly of violent misogyny, as well as drawing attention to the troubling issue of child brides; once a commonplace in the West and still an intractable cultural practice in many parts of the modern world.
The show also explores the fight for cultural and political rights which occupied ‘second wave’ activists such as Carol Hanisch, originator of the now-famous phrase, “The personal is political.” In particular, exhibiting artists look at the increasing presence of women’s voices (which were once silenced) on the international stage, as well as drawing attention to forgotten female heroes and their place in national life.
Feminism’s ‘third wave’ sought to address the frequent exclusion of women of colour and non-middle-class voices from the equality debate. Time = Change confronts this painful issue as it faces up to the evil of slavery and draws in voices from women (and men) of differing heritage.
Despite decades of progress, sexuality and the body are still at the heart of attacks on women, who are frequently invalidated for their looks or, conversely, valued only for their sexual desirability. Just recently a Sun journalist drew attention to the outfit worn by a female MP who was calling for an end to Page 3, with the implication that there was an irony in dressing attractively whilst campaigning against naked women in his newspaper. It is here that Time = Change looks to the future, considering the pitfalls of sexting and online dating, and the perilous yet seductive mainstreaming of plastic surgery, a topic also explored in Jamie McCartney’s ‘Great Wall of Vagina’ installation.
With the ‘fourth wave’ of feminism now underway, at least in the UK, it’s hard to predict what the future will bring, except one thing’s for sure, and that’s change.
Participating artists
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The Finsbury Park Deltics
Sally Grumbridge Carol-Ann Lyne Marianne Frank Brigitte Boldy Laura Bello Tina Viljoen |
Natalie Sirett
Nora Velazco Renee Rilexie Gabriela Giroletti Jamie McCartney Christopher Guest Tareshvari Robinson |
Curated by Renee Rilexie
EVENTS GUIDE
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6 March
8 March 13 March 15 March |
Preview 6-9pm
Chat Circle & Poetry 3-6pm (Tea & Cakes) Guest Performance Artist: Agnieszka Niklewska Late Night Opening 6-9pm Performance Poetry: Andra Simons 7:45pm Scanning (bras & boobs) for charity posters 12-6pm ►Find out more |
