'Martha Rosler works in video, photography, text, installation, and performance. Her work focuses on the public sphere, exploring issues from everyday life and the media to architecture and the built environment, especially as they affect women.'
Rosler has worked on may different subjects during her career. and has published several books of photographs, texts, and commentary on public space, ranging from airports and roads to housing and gentrification. In 1975 she performed a feminist parody video called Semiotics of the Kitchen. The 6 minute video is considered a critique of the commodified versions of traditional women's roles in modern society
The performance has a static camera and is focused on a Rosler in a kitchen straight in front of her. On the counter are a variety of utensils, each of which she picks up, names and proceeds to demonstrate, but with dramatic and loud gestures. The gestures are very performed and unlike how they would be used in a normal circumstance. "when the woman speaks, she names her own oppression."
She is showing aggression towards the items, and rebelling against the women stereotypes of being in the kitchen. Women everyday are effected by stereotypes like this, and even in the 1970s, Rosler was fighting back. Even thought I am not a huge fan of this piece, I do admire her power and fight against the role in the kitchen.
I feel I could use this same theme in my work, using wearing make up as the stereotype. I want to show the revolt against wearing it, and being able to be free from being transformed by it everyday.
She is showing aggression towards the items, and rebelling against the women stereotypes of being in the kitchen. Women everyday are effected by stereotypes like this, and even in the 1970s, Rosler was fighting back. Even thought I am not a huge fan of this piece, I do admire her power and fight against the role in the kitchen.
I feel I could use this same theme in my work, using wearing make up as the stereotype. I want to show the revolt against wearing it, and being able to be free from being transformed by it everyday.
