Who are the Guerrilla Girls?
“We're a bunch of anonymous females who take the names of dead women artists as pseudonyms and appear in public wearing gorilla masks. We have produced posters, stickers, books, printed projects, and actions that expose sexism and racism in politics, the art world, film and the culture at large. We use humor to convey information, provoke discussion, and show that feminists can be funny. We wear gorilla masks to focus on the issues rather than our personalities. Dubbing ourselves the conscience of culture, we declare ourselves feminist counterparts to the mostly male tradition of anonymous do-gooders like Robin Hood, Batman, and the Lone Ranger. The mystery surrounding our identities has attracted attention. We could be anyone; we are everywhere.”
Browse their official website: http://www.guerillagirls.com/
The New York Times’ Phoebe Hoban offers her perspective in a 2004 article: “ART; Masks Still in Place, but Firmly in the Mainstream”
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/04/theater/art-masks-still-in-place-but-firmly-in-the-mainstream.html?scp=1&sq=guerrilla%20girls&st=cse
Here is a video of the Guerrilla Girls at the Feminist Future Symposium, MoMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVBZh5HBgc
Points to ponder:
What is your reaction to the Guerrilla Girls’ philosophy for making activist art?
Are they just a bunch of whiney feminists or is their activism producing a change?
What role does humor play in their work? How does it spin their message?
Do you think their work has made a difference? Why or why not?
Is their criticism of museums accurate?
What do you think? Other thoughts? Opinions?
The New York Times’ Phoebe Hoban offers her perspective in a 2004 article: “ART; Masks Still in Place, but Firmly in the Mainstream”
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/04/theater/art-masks-still-in-place-but-firmly-in-the-mainstream.html?scp=1&sq=guerrilla%20girls&st=cse
Here is a video of the Guerrilla Girls at the Feminist Future Symposium, MoMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVBZh5HBgc
Points to ponder:
What is your reaction to the Guerrilla Girls’ philosophy for making activist art?
Are they just a bunch of whiney feminists or is their activism producing a change?
What role does humor play in their work? How does it spin their message?
Do you think their work has made a difference? Why or why not?
Is their criticism of museums accurate?
What do you think? Other thoughts? Opinions?
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I am so repulsed by this article I am having difficulty finding the appropriate words to use. I more than understand the need for an equal OPPORTUNITY in art and in the world, but an opportunity does not equate to recognition. From an organization that began over few women artists exhibited in a certain gallery, to now fighting for violence against women, racism, and sexism it seems a little odd. Has anyone stopped to consider they may be given the opportunity, but lack the talent? Equal opportunity means you have the same chance as any male, but there is nothing wrong with being given the shot and found to have not as much ability. As a female, I am actually offended by this group. I am more than willing to work three times as hard to be proven just as good, because it will mean more to me and I know I have truly accomplished something. Women in the military face just as many issues of sexism and racism, and instead of rebelling against the ‘evil forces’, they adapt, achieve, and prove themselves better and earn the respect of their superiors. From what I’m hearing, they don’t want equal chances, they want equal guaranteed spots. I don’t think they should get it. You want a spot, you earn your spot. If you truly believe that all these museums and politicians are so racist and sexist, why not remove the names and put the pictures in sepia tone so that you don’t know the artist and race from the artist and race in the picture will be irrelevant. Has anyone stopped to think that maybe there is a larger percentage of white males in art than people of color, and given that percentage wouldn’t that give white males a higher possibility for getting more recognized spots?
ReplyDeleteWhile I do think being creative is a good way of expressing oneself, I think the way these women are expressing themselves is foolish. Being a Guerrilla Girl, in my opinion, is not the best way to get this point across. Racism and sexism have been problems people have been facing for many years and are still facing today and wearing gorilla heads is not going to stop it. I believe discrimination is just inevitable. Some people just can’t see past color, race, and gender. Wearing gorilla heads is only going to make you look ridiculous and make me and some others, I’m sure, laugh. It’s just pure silliness and doesn’t make any sense at all. I also don’t think they’re “art” is art. None if this really makes sense to me. I don’t think they are whiney feminists but I don’t like their way of going about change. It may be working and that’s definitely a good thing but it doesn’t make sense. People have protested discrimination in many different ways that actually make sense and they actually succeeded in getting their points across without looking like total idiots. I just think it is really silly. I think it is very humorous that these women do this. It is pretty funny to see them with the gorilla heads on and although they want to be funny to get their point across I don’t see their funny as funny funny. I see it as funny stupid. I don’t know if I feel they’ve made a difference. They have a good point but I don’t know if the “gorilla drag” had help make the point, at least as widespread as it should be. I also don’t think the criticism of the museums is accurate either. I can’t recall ever seeing women’s art not being showed but that’s just based on my memory. All in all, I think this kind of protesting is a very interesting choice that is a bunch of nonsense. And as an end note I completely agree with Meaghan McArthur. I think she got it down to a tee!
ReplyDeleteWhile I do think being creative is a good way of expressing oneself, I think the way these women are expressing themselves is foolish. Being a Guerrilla Girl, in my opinion, is not the best way to get this point across. Racism and sexism have been problems people have been facing for many years and are still facing today and wearing gorilla heads is not going to stop it. I believe discrimination is just inevitable. Some people just can’t see past color, race, and gender. Wearing gorilla heads is only going to make you look ridiculous and make me and some others, I’m sure, laugh. It’s just pure silliness and doesn’t make any sense at all. I also don’t think they’re “art” is art. None if this really makes sense to me. I don’t think they are whiney feminists but I don’t like their way of going about change. It may be working and that’s definitely a good thing but it doesn’t make sense. People have protested discrimination in many different ways that actually make sense and they actually succeeded in getting their points across without looking like total idiots. I just think it is really silly. I think it is very humorous that these women do this. It is pretty funny to see them with the gorilla heads on and although they want to be funny to get their point across I don’t see their funny as funny funny. I see it as funny stupid. I don’t know if I feel they’ve made a difference. They have a good point but I don’t know if the “gorilla drag” had help make the point, at least as widespread as it should be. I also don’t think the criticism of the museums is accurate either. I can’t recall ever seeing women’s art not being showed but that’s just based on my memory. All in all, I think this kind of protesting is a very interesting choice that is a bunch of nonsense. And as an end note I completely agree with Meaghan McArthur. I think she got it down to a tee!
ReplyDeleteThe concept for the Guerrilla Girls is interesting and the manner in which they deliver their message offers a direct but less "in your face" approach to feminist activism. What is interesting to me is to ponder their message today, in today's climate compared to the feminist climate in the late 1980's and 1990's. Another question that I have is how this relates beyond art in society in general, especially in the view of the most recent Presidential election. Has feminist activism been consistent in attacking feminine bias wherever it manifests itself?
ReplyDeleteLet me put some opinions out there to start. Do I believe that our society still discriminates against women? Yes. Is there a glass ceiling in various fields like business, art and service jobs? Yes there is. Does our society objectify women and create images of what is valued in women that are inherently anti-feminist? Yes it does. Have the actions of some feminists been counter productive to the issue of discrimination > Yes. Did feminists and some women in general abandon "the fight" when the media and the politicians were piling on Hillary Clinton during the election creating a contradiction in values? Yes they did. Did feminists look at the trashing of Sarah Palin was taking, and ignore the sexist tones of the attacks because they despised her politics and thus created a feminism contradiction? Yes the did.
I believe the Guerrilla Girls are correct in attacking the art world's lack of embracing the female artists. Their approach to raising the issue is effective. When I look at how they are evolving their message I do see that their tone is more strident now than in the 80's and 90's. Their use of humor can temper the confrontation of the anti-feminism that exists. Their battle has broadened as they are staying they are not just focused on the art world but also politics and business. What I find interesting is their view that if a "bitch" is a strong and assert woman who has her own opinion and doesn't take anyone's crap, this is OK. Yet where have they been recently when some of the most blatant anti-women bashing's have occurred in politics?
The issues in the art world are real but the way society has stood by, the Guerrilla Girls included, and allowed male and anti-feminist women to attack female politicians is wrong and contradictory to their "cause." The lack of outrage expressed by them and other feminists is a huge contradiction. I believe the fight against discrimination should not be impacted by whether or not the discriminated person agrees with your politics. Sexism and discrimination happens to liberal, conservatives, blacks, whites, Hispanics, gays and straights a like. The battle against sexism should be consistent and "called out" when it is observed and not just when it aligns with your politics.
This particular group of females and the feminist attitude they have is quite intriguing. They put themselves out there like any other female activist group does; they vie for attention, and believe that what they want should be given. At any moment in the time of man there have always been struggles for women. From the times in ancient civilizations to the brink of the 21st century, struggles for women have been an eminent factor in the world.
ReplyDeleteIn America we face the challenge of some upheaval in a certain group of people. I believe still that there is persecution for women, that there is a second standard to women. Through all the employed people in America a good number is women and though they work hard most of the time the men will always be paid just a little bit more. This group shares the ideas wearing masks and hiding their identity to the world. Going around they took on issues stirring the political scene, moral, and giving a women a certain power. I don’t believe this movement is very tactical. Why don’t they show their faces, why can’t they come out and say to the public there opinions in a natural state. It was interesting read in their website that they used the Guerrilla for a scare tactic, so people would be afraid of them and have to hear what they say. An interview explains this through this saying by Georgia O’Keeffe, “We wanted to play with the fear of guerrilla warfare, to make people afraid of who we might be and where we would strike next.” They embrace factors of the art world that women don’t have the same opportunity in the arts and not getting represented correctly. I don’t nesseciarily side myself with this group not just because I’m a man but I feel they ill represent the struggle of women. Bashing not only the art scene but raging on certain political views. It just doesn’t seem right to me everyone has a fair chance at anything; you have to work hard and do what you have to do to get what you want. Setting everyone aside, race, political views, and gender should not play a factor in getting what you want. If you want your voice be a “man” and just do it.
I agree with what they are trying to do. What I feel what they’re trying to do, in its simplest form, is trying to raise awareness of sexism in society. It would appear that they’re trying to change the world one gorilla mask at a time, but would anyone really listen to them if they didn’t have gorilla masks on. Everyone would probably dismiss them as some other feminist group trying to get their feminist point across. At least with their masks some people will at least stop and listen to what they have to say. The truth is people need stimulation. Why aren’t we talking about the thousands of other feminist groups out in the world? It’s because they’re not wearing gorilla masks. It would seem that they are already succeeding in giving us something to talk about, and in doing so are succeeding in getting their message of sexism and female strife across. So I don’t think that they are all wrong in doing what they’re doing I think it could do some good. They are going to at least let some more people who may not have thought about it before, think and become aware of a “maybe problem”. On the other hand I also don’t think that women are being that discriminated against in society. I think that women are still put in a separate group as men, but I don’t think being a woman is the life struggle it used to be. They can still vote, they can still get jobs, which in certain cases are only given to women.
ReplyDeleteThe Guerilla Girls’ philosophy for making activist art is quiet unique. I think their approach to the art world, racism, and sexism does not help in solving the problems. Racism and sexism is unavoidable in the world today and will never full disappear. The Guerilla Girls’ radical way of making a statement to put a halt to these issues is silly. Yes, wearing a gorilla head and creating propaganda may draw in the public’s attention, but is it truly educating the public on the issues the Guerilla Girls’ stand for? I think not. Thus, their activism is not producing change. The propaganda that the Guerilla Girls’ produce does incorporate humor but it spins their work to be a joke and not a serious matter. Women is today’s society typically have equal opportunity equivalent to a men and I agree with Meaghan when she says that everyone has to prove themselves and not get what they want handed to them. People have show they are willing and capable to achieve their goals whatever they may be, from their art being displayed in a museum or becoming head of a company. The Guerilla Girls’ need to work for their spot and not just expect it to be given to them. The criticism against museums is inappropriate because museums showcase the finest art and if art is not amazing, then museums have a right to not want to showcase it. If they want their art showcased, they need to focus all of their attention on creating art, not wearing gorilla heads.
ReplyDeleteThe Guerrilla Girls’ approach to inform others of sexism in art is interesting. They make themselves known by wearing gorilla masks. I think this really helps them get noticed and I believe more people listen to them because of it. Do I think that they are producing a change? No. Sexism and racism have been issues now for a long time. I do think that our society has improved greatly on these issues, but I doubt that they will ever go away completely.
ReplyDeleteWomen artists did not get their work put into museums a long time ago because it was uncalled for. Sometimes women would even put a man’s name on their art just so that it could be recognized. I wish this was not true, but it is. We live in a world ruled by men. It’s unfair, but that is how it is and will be for a while.
The Guerrilla Girls’ may have made a difference in some lives, but they haven’t produced any change yet. I like what they stand for, but most people won’t listen to them. Most people would just see them as another feminist group complaining about sexism. Their criticisms of museums are spot on though. Women do face sexism when it comes to art. Let’s face it, women face sexism in almost everything they do. It would be great if one day there was no such thing as sexism, but I doubt that day will come in the near future. Women still have a lot more to overcome, but I know women will fight until they get equal opportunities.
So the first thing that comes to mind when I was watching the clip of the two ladies talking to the audience about what they do and who they are is, "Oh My God, someone needs to shut this lady up. I've never heard so much complaining." And that's all that it really is is complaining. They were talking statistics about how many female artists there were in the Museum of Modern Art and how many female portraits were there and how many of them are nudes and all that different stuff. And I agree with Meaghan, everyone has there own equal chance to get into the Museum of Modern Art but if your not good enough then you won't be. The Guerilla girls talked about they mainly have male artists and only do that because of sexism but if this is true then they believe that even if a female creates this magnificent piece of work and a male creates something just ordinary that he will be put in the museum just because he is a male? No! Why would the museum do that? That would not only hurt their publicity and their image but also the quality of the artwork in the museum. They put in the museum who deserves to be in the museum so shut up Guerilla Girls. You're annoying!
ReplyDeleteThe Guerrilla Girls have got to be one of the most bizarre groups of people. From wearing gorilla masks in public and trying to use humor to get their point across, but their not funny at all. The only thing that is funny is they wear gorilla masks what to be taken seriously. I agree completely with Megan McArthur the Guerrilla Girls are making it seem as if women shouldn’t have to work for opportunities it should just be given to them. Women are just as capable of doing whatever men do and better. When I was watching the video of the two ladies complaining about how wrong it is that there is no artwork by woman in the Museum of Modern Art and that all the paintings of women are nude. In a Museum there are famous pieces of work and if they are not up to par they will not be on display. If they think their so-called artwork should be in museums maybe they should work on the skills a little more and complain a lot less. All the artwork that are in famous museums that have nude women in them are not to disgrace them, it is to show that women are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSexism and racism issues have been going on forever and if they really think wearing a huge gorilla mask is going to help change it there are crazy. Of course there is still discrimination with jobs against women, but what they need to do is take off the mask and get to work.
I feel this group is in fact a bunch of complainers. In the video on YouTube all they did was bring up statistics of uneven distribution of art by race and gender through the museum. They suggested no ways to change it. They tried to make every statistic they brought up humorous instead of going about it in a serious way and trying to get a point across. Maybe if the group would have went about it in a humorous way at first and then gone into serious conversation while suggesting ways to change the problems, that would have been more affective. However they went about it in a humorous way the entire time. Then they dress up in gorilla masks and try to get their point across instead of taking it seriously. I am not saying that this group doing the right thing, because they are. They’re fighting for equal rights and that is awesome. However they are mostly complaining and probably not taking into account many things. I feel Meaghan was right, I feel everyone is given an equal chance. Maybe the females and black males work was indeed not good enough. Also like Jordan said, the Museum is going to put in the best artwork, not crappy work done by white males just because they’re white males. If the museum did then that would not make profit for them. The Guerrilla Girls kept bring up that all the museum wanted to do was make money, and I believe putting on the best looking art is what makes money. Maybe a women’s naked body is what sells the best, I’m sure they didn’t look into that statistic. The museum is going to put out what is appealing to their customer’s eyes. It is true society is still struggling with equality problems, and there should be a group willing to try to change it. This group feels that by putting some humor in, they will get more done. Their humor puts a good spin on their message at first, but then they just take it way too far. Maybe they should think of more ways to produce change than ways to produce laughter out of an audience.
ReplyDeleteHoly complain a lot! I wanted to pull my hair out watching the Youtube video. The only thing those women did was complain and whine. It was flat out annoying. I’m all for women’s rights and all but come on, seriously. I think women need and should have rights and what not but we do have rights, the same rights as men. Just because there’s less women artist in a museum doesn’t me they’re being sexist by not displaying more female artists’ art; maybe its because its not good enough, did the Guerrilla Girls ever think about that? And the whole thing about more female nudes then male nudes, the body is a beautiful thing especially a woman’s body and women should take it as a compliment that men admired and still admire their bodies so much that they sculpted and painted them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Meaghan when she said that if you want a spot, you need to earn your spot. No matter what sex or race whether you’re male or female whether you’re black, white, or blue you have to work for what you want.
I understand where these women are coming from because I do believe women should have rights and I feel like we do. I also think that men have always been kind of higher up than women in a sense. There are just things that men do better than women, its always been like that.
I don’t really think that these women are funny. I find their attire silly. They look kind of stupid parading around in gorilla masks. If your all for women’s rights show your true colors, show your inner woman. All in all I think these ladies are a little coo-coo and need to take a chill pill. Get off your high horse, your annoying!
At first I was confused as to what the mission of the Guerrilla Girls really was. After reading and watching the links posted, I realized that they are basically an activist group for Women’s Rights. I respect the fact that these women are fighting for what they believe in, but only to a certain extent, then it becomes complaining, like Jordan stated. And like Emily said the only reason they stand out from other activists is probably because of the fact that they wear gorilla masks, though I’m not sure what point that actually proves. The humor incorporated in their works also makes it more noticeable and when people read it they actually think about it. I agree with their thoughts that women are not treated as equal as they should be, compared to men, but this has been occurring since the beginning of time, though we have made many breakthroughs and accomplishments over the years. Having been to museums here and there, it never really stood out to me that there weren’t women artists, like Meaghan said it’s based on talent. If you don’t match up to the abilities the guy next to you, of course his work is going to be displayed over yours, man or woman. Also in agreement with Meaghan, I would be willing to put in the extra effort because it would make me that much more proud of my work.
ReplyDeleteNot that men run our world, but are just often the more dominant character.
Sexism and racism have been prevalent in our society for a long time. True. While the issues have declined over the years, they are still a problem. True again. I am a firm believer of standing up for what I believe, especially in issues such as racism and sexism. Not giving people equal rights and opportunities is wrong. So, to make it all better express yourself by putting a gorilla mask on to draw attention? Um, no… false. While gorilla women may draw a lot of attention and provoke much interest, I don’t believe they are reaching the goal they are really trying to make. I think that in order to really express yourself, you have to be yourself. Using a gorilla mask, while being memorable, covers the person that is really trying to stand up for their rights and feelings on feminism. I agree with Stephanie when she comments on how annoying and ridiculous she thinks the gorilla women are. She and Meghan both question and argue that maybe the womens’ art isn’t good enough… the mens’ is better. I agree. Museums want to display the best and prettiest art they can find so that people will come to their establishment. Why would they care if the artist was a male or female? They wouldn’t! And about the nude thing…. for centuries upon centuries women have been the more prevalent of the nudist paintings and sculptures. I think it’s a compliment that they find us so beautiful to create their masterpieces with. Okay so they complain about that? Well, I bet if there were more men nude pieces they would complain about that and say that’s racist too! Common’ now. Take your pick. Yes, stand up for what you believe, but do it when its logical, and in a thought-provoking and problem-solving way.
ReplyDeletelike meghan, jordan, and a few others said, i feel that these woman are doing no more than complaining. to say that museums are sexist when it comes to their art is rediculous... like jordan said, if this was the case, then museums wouldn't be showing the best art and they would actually lose money. any good business leader will do whatever they can to make the most money, and if that means hiring a woman who is more skilled than a man, then so be it. one reason that men dont hire women is because they are considered a "protected class" meaning that if they are fired they can probably sue and get some money out of the firing. other protected classes are blacks, hispanics, gays, and other minorities. they are proected because people in these groups feel that when they get fired, they are fired because of their race/sex and not because of their performance in the workplace. sure, in some cases, this does happen, but in most successful business, sex/race doesnt matter. i dont know if this really adressed the blog, but that was just my view on feminists.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading through some of the responses I agree with all of them completely. I agree with Jordan that the girls in the Youtube video were obnoxious. About two minutes into it I exited out of the screen because they were so annoying. And also the consensus of the class that your art shouldn’t be put up in an museum just because of the race or gender that you are. Either you are good or you’re not, nothing else matters, there is no in between in art either you suck or it’s fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThe message might be getting through to some people because their numbers are growing as the article says, and they have people that know who they are, and they have multiple books out there, such as the book, “Bitches, Bimbo’s and Ballbreakers.” Also as the article says they do posters and protests that tend to invoke a lot of response from the crowd, which gains them recognition from the public eye. I do not believe that their activism is producing any change at all. I don’t think that there is anything to change to begin with. Women are not being persecuted in the art world. Like Frank said the art galleries are putting up what is going to sell. I think that the Guerrila Girl’s can go about achieving their “goal” in a manner that is a lot more productive.
As I read through an interview on the Guerrilla Girls webpage I realized how influential they really are. They've spoken in museums and schools all over the world. I'm not personally familiar with any sexism in the art world so in my eyes these women are a group of overdramatic ladies’ dressing like skanks in masks. Every race, every gender, every class, and every person strive to have utmost power; I believe these women want females to be the dominant gender in society. As a girl I've learned that whining and complaining sometimes works to your benefit; not in this case. If the Guerrilla Girls feel so strongly about women in art they should demonstrate this in an effective manner. Suggest a museum be built that is dedicated to female artists. I agree with Kathyrn completely when she discusses achieving their goal in a productive method. I also agree with Stephaine when she exclaims her frustration due to their complaining. I’m still young but other than my 5th grade PE class I have never experienced any sexism. I believe an issue of more importance is racism, which the Guerrilla Girls have also advertised on their posters. Issues such as abortion, the Gulf War, rape, and homeless people, have been the subject of many of their posers as well. Unfortunately we have a group of women that are all talk and advertise but no action. Why bother wasting time and effort making flyers? They don’t do anything else to help benefit their causes; just bitching.
ReplyDeleteThat has got to be one of the coolest things I have ever scene in my life. I thought that the i-phone was amazing, but this phone/everything made the i-phone look like a kids toy. Watching this clip it really makes you think how far we have come, and what we are going to be living like in thirty or forty years, flying cars, robots? I would have never thought there could be a device that could tell you what toilet paper is best for you, or just by looking at your plane ticket you can find out if it is still on time. With all the advances in technology I think it will be great and help benefit a lot. The only down side to the new gadgets is that I think it will make the new generation lazy. My dad would get me a cell phone till I was fifteen, and I don’t think I would let my kid have one because if he is anything like me he would never turn it off. I love the name Sixth Sense, because it works with you knowing what you like and even what you need. The really crazy thing about this product is that it only cost 350 dollars. I know that this is not the final product, but with technology this great I was really surprised that is so cheep. Now after seeing this and watching all those movies where the machines take over I do think that it could happen. I just hope that Arnold is up to the world again.
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