looking at the posters
a 'feminine stance'
a 'masculine stance'
Tangles and knots
a 'masculine stance'
a 'feminine stance'
expressing the word 'power' visually
So I had my workshop in the National museum of Poznań today. I thought it went well, there were some brilliant people there who really got passionate about the idea of women in culture and how femininity is represented in the media. At first we looked at a selection of Soviet propaganda posters found in the Poster Department in the museum. We talked about how these posters may be seen and what image and representation they were trying to convey. We then went on to talk about Iris Marion Young and Augusto Boal, using their theories and exercises to explore the capacities and capabilities of our bodies. After the actions there was some fascinating debate- this subject is so board and conflicting that it is impossible not to disagree- but I think that this makes it more exciting. I was hearing all about the lives of women of a similar age to myself, and how they grew up as women in Polish culture. I was really inspired by one woman who talked about how she felt respected by the people surrounding her. She didn't feel as if she need to conform to any idea that they may have of her as a woman. However she did go on to say that she would be wary of calling herself a feminist as the word is quite a risky one to use in Poland. (As well as most other countries due to the connection with 'bra burning, and man hating') She went on to say however that if you describe your (feminist) opinions to people without using the dreaded word, then generally many people would agree. Using the word incites an instant dismissal of the valid point and expressed belief. I hope that the women in my workshop got something out of today, even if it was just the feeling of solidarity and a positive outlook on sometimes quite a bleak and difficult subject.
Thankyou to Museum Nadorowe w Poznaniu, and everyone at MPRA
Pictures by Milena Pawlak
