Friday, March 27, 2009

Anna Van Schurman Online

When people find out that Anna van Schurman is not my real name, they often wonder why I chose it. At long last, the Brooklyn Museum has put Judy Chicago's "Dinner Party" online! You can read about the real Anna van Schurman here. If you've ever seen the Dinner Party--and if you haven't you should try--you may remember that Anna's place setting is the only one that uses cross-stitch. That's because she was vehemently opposed to it during her lifetime. She believed, rightly, that cross-stitch was a substitute for real education. (I'm using that term because I believe it.) So, yes, it's really overdetermined, but would you expect anything else from me?

I'm sorry posting has been spotty lately. It's complicated and not, you know? Also, I am working on the tutorial I promised. They are harder to put together than you would think. More on the tedious side than complicated. And also, I have to fake some photos that I don't have. But the dude is going to be gone part of this weekend and all of next, so I will be able to dominate the computer.

6 comments:

Patricia Lessell said...

I would ask you what your real name is but I'm not that nosy. Thank you so much for explaining it and giving the link to the Brooklyn Museum and Jusy Chicago's Dinner Party. I really enjoyed the time I have spent there now over the net, never having been there in real life. Thanks again Patti xxx

drea_dear said...

I had to read your reasoning a couple of times before I got it. "Women's work" suppressing women's learning? Got it.

Tutorials are tough - you have to walk away from them and re-read to make sure they make sense to other people. You also have to print it out and try to follow your own instructions without any assumptions.

Waiting patiently :)

mainely stitching said...

Can't wait to see the results of your domination. ;)

Donna said...

I remember reading a review of the Dinner Party in Mother Jones when it was first exhibited. But I've never realized where your name came from!

As to the abstracted butterfly plate. Um. Yeah. Right. And Georgia only painted flowers.

Michelle said...

That is the coolest thing! I've never even heard of it...I just spent time going through the whole thing and looking at all the place settings. What an amazing piece! And I think your choice was a good one. Thanks so much for sharing. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you too... : )

Kristen said...

Wow, that brings me back - I was an art history major. And I'm a feminist, but I didn't make the connection either. Very cool blogger name!

I'm sure the tutorial will be great. :)