Fallen Princesses

Snowy © Dina Goldstein

Sleeping Beauty © Dina Goldstein
(the socks & sandals are a particularly nice detail on Prince Charming! )

Cinder © Dina Goldstein

Belle © Dina Goldstein

Dina Goldstein is a Vancouver based photographer. I really love the staging and dark ironic humor of this series entitled: Fallen Princesses. About the work, Goldstein says:

"I began to imagine Disney's perfect Princesses juxtaposed with real issues that were affecting women around me, such as illness, addiction and self-image issues."

Check out more in the series and her vast portfolio here: www.dinagoldstein.com

Oh boy.

Still getting it wrong, after 50 years.

No we don't.

new Tattoo Barbie

I don't have a problem with tattoos, or kids wanting to wear fake ones for that matter. (They get them at the dentist now-a-days for good behavior!) but this image circulating the internet really hit me. I think it's the placement on the Barbie's body in combination with Ken's name, like some messed up branding, or claim to ownership. Perhaps if it was a flower or a butterfly, like the first tattoo Barbie Mattel released in 1999 it would be a bit easier for me to swallow.

What's not clear is if this particular sticker is actually a part of the new Tattoo Barbie kit or not? From the pics I found online, it didn't appear to be, but I'm not sure. Regardless, the new Barbie is causing quite the stir among "concerned parents." But then, Mattel was about due for another controversy.

Nellie McKay

A little fun from one of my fave musicians…

web press

My work has been making some blog rounds again lately, generating some interesting responses as usual, which got me thinking about a new project. I'll reveal what's up my sleeve soon, but for now, cheers to all this web press… thanks internet, you're the best!

jezebel Nov. 12

boingboing Nov. 11

craftzine Nov. 8

cool hunting Nov. 5

the review

Dave and I went to see the movie I mentioned in last Friday's blog post, Who Does She Think She Is? and wow. This film is so. good. REALLY. Hopefully you're fortunate enough to have it traveling to a city near you. (If not it will also be coming out on DVD!)

I was all goosebumps and tears through a good majority of this film. The movie follow various working artists dealing with the struggles, as well as the joys involved in making art, cultivating relationships and raising children. It examines these complexities while questioning the way our society often forces women to choose between mothering and a career in art.

Under-appreciated, under-represented and generally lacking support by society women have a more difficult time pursuing art careers than men, despite the record number of women enrolled in college art programs. The film makes its point extraordinarily well without beating you over the head with its message. The imagery, the soundtrack and the inspiring, compelling artists the film follows left me feeling elated and determined. Please see this film and tell me what you think!

more info on their website: whodoesshethinksheis.net
NY Times review: movies.nytimes.com

Who Does She Think She Is?

I just saw something on tv about this last night, and then this morning Alyson Stanfield mentioned it on her blog. Watching the trailer just now gave me chills. I HAVE to see this movie:




It's amazing that women in the arts and their lack of recognition, appreciation and acceptance is still an issue even today. We may not always realize it, but it is. More information about the movie here.

BUSTed!

This is perhaps the most exciting magazine press I've ever received…
I'm in the new Oct/Nov issue of BUST!

One of my favorite magazines for the past 10 years, BUST is a young women's mag with a distinctly third-wave voice.

(page 32)

The article, while brief, is one of the most well-written, spot-on representations of me and my work. (click the image below to enlarge)

This is a huge deal to me and such an honor… Thanks BUST!

feeling connected

The lecture at the 92nd st Y last night was interesting to say the least. There were three speakers on stage: writer and activist Gloria Steinem of course, as well as Patricia Williams (left) Columbia Law Professor and columnist for the Nation magazine and Marie Wilson (below right) director of the White House Project - a non-profit dedicated to getting more women involved in all areas of politics. Ms. Wilson directed the discussion.

The overall theme of the evening was the role of gender, race and class in our current political climate. Marie Wilson made a very good point in her opening that in past elections we barely heard so much as a whisper in regards to women's issues and now, in this past year, it has been ALL about women. From Hillary to Michelle, to Sarah, the inclusion of women in politics during this election is unprecedented. I personally have never been so engaged in an election and I suspect the same is true for a lot of women out there.

When I returned home from the lecture and was relaying the event to Dave I was trying to come up with words to describe Gloria Steinem and her presence on stage and I have to say, what came to mind first was: peaceful. This is a women who has accomplished so much in her lifetime, making enormous strides in furthering the women's movement. She was direct, honest, and even humorous in her thoughtful responses to questions all evening. Self-assured, powerful and utterly captivating to listen to, her words resonate. Her presence is one of both peace and strength. I was struck by the thought of her character in stark contrast to Sarah Palin who in my opinion emanates nothing but hostility and weakness.

Highlights of the evening for me included Patricia Williams likening Sarah Palin to an empty Campbells Soup can - proclaiming Andy Warhol couldn't have painted it better, with her zero to celebrity status in a matter of hours and the lack of substance behind her packaged image.

During the Q&A portion of the lecture, an audience member stood up and asked what the panelists thoughts were regarding the mass emails circulating about with titles such as "Women Against Palin!" etc., and whether they saw this at risk of being perceived as "pitting women against each other" and/or detrimental to the larger issues at hand. Gloria responded in a very matter of fact manner that no, she didn't see it as harmful and that she believes we're beyond that point as a nation to view it in those terms. Even though I agree with this on a personal level, it was nice to hear Gloria Steinem say it.

Patricia Williams responded that she thought anyone against Palin was a good thing no matter what (which garnered much applause from the audience) and likened it to the 'Blacks against Clarence Thomas' groups. Excerpts from Patricia's excellent column at the Nation entitled Sarah Palin's Frontier Justice were used in her opening introduction last night. It is an excellent read and can be found in it's entirety here.

It was definitely a thought-provoking evening and it felt wonderful to be surrounded by so many politically charged and inspired people. Oh and uh, random highlight of the night as well: the first person to stand up in the audience and ask a question during the Q&A was none other than Nellie McKay, one of my favorite musicians. She asked a very long-winded, rather vague question about animal rights in regards to the presidential candidates. Unfortunately it was really more of a soapbox rant than an actual question, but it was still cool to see her there nonetheless. I wonder how many other people in the audience recognized her?

(Nellie McKay)

Gloria Steinem

Tonight I'm headed to the 92nd st. Y to hear Gloria Steinem speak - role model and key figure in the feminist movement. I'm hoping to be inspired and engaged! I'll keep you posted…