Is the Art Fair a Carnival or a County Fair? by Suzanne Stroebe and Caitlin Rueter

We will play the image of Art Fair as carnival, as spectacle of gluttony and lasciviousness, against the image of Art Fair as county fair, as “wholesome” place where community gathers to reaffirm bonds (and, perhaps, to reaffirm hierarchies). Women perform different roles in each of these contexts.  In light of these contrasting visions, how do women artists and feminist artists fit in the art fair? Could an increased feminist presence at the art fair be a means of re-creating the artistic community, reforming status hierarchies? Or will women artists simply be part of the carnival, yet another part of the spectacle, partaking equally in the bacchanal?

#rank, at SEVEN-Miami, will be our third venue in the continuing series of A Feminist Tea Party. We will present an abbreviated and adapted version of the project as a county fair contest/carnival game. Dressed in turn-of-the-century costume we will invite guests to share a piece of pie and a cup of tea while engaging in a game of trivia. Prizes will be awarded for conversation.

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