Feminist Media Strategies for Political Performance

Myths of Rape performance by Leslie Labowitz as part of "Three Weeks in May" by Suzanne Lacy.
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Women protest album cover violence. Video production still from "Record Companies Drag Their Feet" by Leslie Labowitz.
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Suzanne Lacy and Leslie Labowitz

The problem of sexual violence towards women in the media and society is the primary reason for the emergence of feminist media art. In 1977, feminist artists like Suzanne Lacy and Leslie Labowitz brought the subject of sexual violence to the forefront with their media work. Violent and pornographic imagery of women were very visible in the dominant media culture which caused uproar in the feminist community. The basic cause for the anger towards female representation in such a violent way was seen as an influence on society and how they treat women in the world. Cases of sexual violence and rape were seen as a direct cause of the glamorization of violence within the popular media. In this time of protest, activists against violence teamed up with artists to bring attention to the issues at hand and create a listening audience who were willing to help fight the battle against violence towards women.

Artists such as Suzanne Lacy and Leslie Labowitz are responsible for artistic performances about sexual violence such as Three Weeks in May.

“Each day the red stain spread further over the bright yellow map of Los Angeles. One red-stamped "rape" marked occurrences reported to the police department; around each of these, nine fainter markings represented unreported sexual assaults. Installed in the City Hall Mall, the twenty-five-foot map sat next to an identical one that listed where victims and their families could go for help.

This performance focused attention on the pervasiveness of sexual assault through a city-wide series of thirty events. Performances, speak-outs, art exhibits and demonstrations were amplified by media coverage. In one particularly striking series of street performances, Leslie Labowitz focused on myths of rape, men's role conditioning, and self-defense. Lacy's performance She Who Would Fly provided a ritual exorcism. Other artists included Barbara Smith, Cheri Gaulke, Anne Gaulden, Melissa Hoffman and Laurel Klick. Three Weeks brought together norma1ly disparate groups - including artists, self-defense instructors, activists and city officials - in a temporary community that suggested future collaborative possibilities.” (Lacy & Labowitz)

In 1078 a group called Ariadne was formed which was an “exchange between women in the arts, governmental politics, and media,” with a focus on sexually violent imagery in popular culture. In the three years that the group existed, they produced 7 public works and performances. The purpose of these works was to use the media to their advantage. Because they were criticizing the media and the exploitation of violent and sexual imagery of women, the feminist activists decided to use the media to exploit their works of art in protest.

The remainder of this article is a “how to” guide on taking advantage of the media if you are planning to use it as a means of protest for your activist intentions. The ladies tell you to consider what time of media format will best suit the content of your work and your message. They suggest that sometimes media activism is not always the best suited for certain ideas, although it can be quite helpful in reaching a wide audience. They also warn you to stay focused on the content of your protest so that it doesn’t get lost in the interests of the media reporter. Your message must be clear and simple because media editors do not want to be bogged down with deciphering complicated messages.

When considering media coverage, it is best that the content of your work be current. The best way to guarantee media coverage is to appeal to what is presently going on within the world; the issues at hand must be up to date so that people will take interest and listen to your message. They also mention that it is very important to document your work so that you can evaluate its success once the performance is finished.

“Media work has three ultimate purposes: first, to interrupt the incessant flow of images that supports the established social order with alternative ways of thinking and acting; second, to organize and activate viewers (media is not the only, nor necessarily most effective, way to do this); third, to create artful and original imagery that follows in the tradition of fine art, to help viewers see the world in a new way and learn something about themselves in relation to it.” (Lacy and Labowitz)

Laura

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