Myths of Rape (China)

Myths of Rape, by Chan & Mann, a reinterpretation of Leslie Labowitz-Starus’ Myths of Rape (1977), part of Suzanne Lacy’s Three Weeks in May (1977).

In 2014 Chan & Mann exhibited a new version of their work, Myths of Rape (2012), a reinterpretation of Leslie Labowitz-Starus’ Myths of Rape (1977), part of Suzanne Lacy’s Three Weeks in May (1977). The work was featured in a group exhibition at the LuXun Academy of Fine Arts entitled, "Half the Sky: Intersections in Social Practice Art," organized by the Women's Caucus for Art. In addition, Mann traveled to Shenyang for the opening of the exhibit and participated in 2-3 days of interactive events with the Chinese artists and students of the Academy. Mann led, with translation assistance by Jing Deng, a Mandarin/English call-and-response rendition of various myths and facts about rape.

In March 2013, The International Caucus of the Women's Caucus for Art (WCA) was invited by the Wei Er Shen, President of LuXun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China to create an art-based cultural exchange and exhibition between artists and essayists juried through WCA and women artists curated in China. The exhibit and exchange was held at the LuXun Academy April 15-30, 2014. The academy was interested in providing an opportunity for Chinese women artists to interact with artists from the WCA, to learn more about feminist art history in the west and share their art.

Almost a half-century ago, Chairman Mao Zedong, who famously said “Women hold up half the sky,” believed women’s active participation in reform would solve China’s economic and societal challenges. More recently, women and men leaders across the world are calling for women’s voices to be heard in all decision making. The theme is now a movement, a documentary, a musical recording. Michelle Bachelet, head of UN Women, opened the UN Commission on the Status of Women 2013 conference by extolling the benefits of being 53% of the world’s population.  "Women do not need permission, they simply need to speak and act."

Artists were encouraged to interpret this theme broadly. What does it mean to be the majority of the world’s population? What must women do to hold up their “half”? How do women from different cultures interpret this responsibility, this call to action? How do we encourage and support each other through art?

For a full list of artist and more info. about the exhibit:
http://wcainternationalcaucus.weebly.com/electronic-press-kit-epk-half-the-sky-intersections-in-social-practice-art.html

Performance of myths of rape (photo credit: Christine Giancola-Youngberg)
Performance of myths of rape (photo credit: Christine Giancola-Youngberg)