| Projects
Room Gallery 1
Feminist thought, Feminist movement
-- curated project series
Amelia M. Falk
Feminine/Feminist – fighting the plastic
fantastic
© Amelia M. Falk That's it I'm done
20” x 20” 2006
Fem•i•nine adj: 1. conventionally
believed to be appropriate for a woman or girl.
2. considered to be specific to women
3. used to describe or relating to a class of words or forms
in various languages that includes the majority of words referring
to females.
Fem•i•nist n: somebody who believes in the need
to secure rights and opportunities for women equal to those
of men, or somebody who works to secure these rights and opportunities.
adj.: relating to, believing in, or working for rights and
opportunities for women equal to those of men
(Encarta® World English Dictionary
© 1999)
© Amelia M. Falk Since the moment I arrived I had to fight for myself
20” x 20” 2006
As defined in my dictionary, these
terms contradict each other, and the “wild ways”
of the feminist movement challenge the very idea of being
“feminine”. A feminist is a woman who fights to
gain equality in a male-driven world, while the idea of the
feminine is exemplified through media models of what a “girl”
should be. She is constantly cute with perky breasts and a
year-round tan.
© Amelia M. Falk My husband died the day before our divorce. So, now I live with my friend
which I like better than my marriage
20” x 20” 2006
She should never weigh over one hundred
and twenty pounds and she must continue to look young, no
matter how many years have passed since she was born.
© Amelia M. Falk I'm glad I've survived long enough to become a grandmother
20” x 20” 2006
Young women look at these models
of the “plastic fantastic” body-type and measure
themselves against them, all too often undermining their own
sense of self-worth in the process.
© Amelia M. Falk I don't know why you would want me for a model
20” x 20” 2007
This happens because we women are
taught to assess ourselves through the eyes of others instead
of judging our own accomplishments as men are taught to do.
© Amelia M. Falk It's just me, that's it
20” x 20” 2006
The world of art has contributed
to this habit through the strategy of the “male gaze”
that has affected portrayals of women throughout art history.
Artistic images displayed women as objects for male eyes to
enjoy and as playthings for male consumption, while images
of strong women only rarely appeared.
© Amelia M. Falk I knew it was time for divorce, when I found the gay porn under our bed
20” x 20” 2006
Today’s plastic body types
paraded across billboards continue this long-term practice.
Yet those plastic women become role models for young girls
and feed their insecurities as they make their own traditions
into adulthood.
© Amelia M. Falk We've survived a lot together already
20” x 20” 2006
As a young woman, I myself read fashion
magazines that led me to believe I would never be good enough
for anyone because I was slightly overweight. This led to
bouts of depression and medication.
© Amelia M. Falk You get an enlargement for a man, you get a reduction for yourself
20” x 20” 2006
As I’ve grown older, however,
I’ve come to accept my inevitable wrinkles and sagging
skin and to realize that they are part of what makes me me.
My life is being written upon my body and my body is okay
because I have grown more interesting as the story of my life
unfolds on my skin.
© Amelia M. Falk It makes me sad to know that my son will not know his father
20” x 20” 2006
It was real women who have helped
me to this realization, starting with my mother. Among other
things, she taught me about goddess traditions, and I
© Amelia M. Falk Its crazy to think I saw my sister being born and now her son as well
20” x 20” 2006
always wanted to create my own powerful
female images to inspire and guide me. The images in this
show are my attempt to do this. Its models are real women
of all ages whose bodies are progressing through life’s
natural stages.
© Amelia M. Falk I will my life out loud
20” x 20” 2006
Their photographs are taken in a
space made to feel comfortable and safe. They are just sitting
with a friend who is talking to them and encouraging them
to show sides of themselves that they wouldn’t necessarily
open to the world.
© Amelia M. Falk AAAAEEEEEYAAAAHHH (WILD WOMAN YELL)
20” x 20” 2006
They know that I will not judge them
and even those who are shy start to come out of their shells
during the session. Their bodies and poses reflect these small
private moments shared with a girlfriend in a non-sexual,
non-threatening environment.
© Amelia M. Falk I just decided to laugh instead of cry
20” x 20” 2006
In such a relaxed, all-female context,
they show themselves to be beautiful, thinking, feeling people
who reflect their inner selves through their skin. They have
survived through various trials and are okay with the way
they look.
© Amelia M. Falk Her boyfriend considers me the bad influence
20” x 20” 2006
They invite viewers to join them in
accepting themselves and realizing that their own minds and
hearts are what make them truly beautiful. They are feminists
and feminine at the same time. They offer a true model for
women to live up to.
- Amelia M. Falk
All photographs are Editions of
25. For purchase availability please contact Rhonda Schaller,
Gallery Director gallery@rhondaschallerchelsea.com.
Amelia
M. Falk – Artist Profile and Portfolio
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