Critical Digital Culture

Post Modernism

This artwork, Do Women Have to Be Naked to Get Into the Met. Museum? is a framework of Post Modernism created by the Guerrilla Girls. Women artists began to create art in response to the developments in feminist theory, which gave a reaction against the ideas and values of modernism. This group consists female artists that are feminists that formed in New York City in 1985 with the mission of bringing gender and racial inequality into focus in the art community. Post Modernism is the idea that reality is not mirrored in human understanding, but rather it is constructed that the individual finds their own reality. Postmodernists believe that realities are subject to change as well. However, post modernism began in the late 20th century (1970s-1990s) became a movement and this artwork symbolized the messages that were expressed during this era. The Guerilla girls make it their duty to expose racial and sexual discrimination in the world of art while these female artists, The Guerilla Girls, protect their faces wearing by gorilla masks in public due to their messages through art that can be controversial. Furthermore, post modernism was influenced by the developments in society, economy, and culture that these female artists are trying to convey in their artwork.

As a woman, this post modernist framework really moved me personally because it took brave women who remained anonymous to expose racial and sexual discrimination through their art. These women went against the grain to use their platform to become rebellious by exposing the truth in their art. Honestly, it is not that hard to comprehend their art and the message behind the art but I respect these female artists to stick behind their purpose and does not shy away from it This group makes it their duty to create posters, books, billboards, and public appearances to expose discrimination and corruption in society. Their actions and messages that they express to the public is something that I will always respect because their rebellion is to bring reality to individuals to the forefront to face the truth on what is occurring. People in society are often blind to their own reality due to the impact not directly affecting their life but there are always artists like The Guerilla Girls to bring awareness to these issues to make people pay attention. Lastly, this artwork means everything to me because their approach to these issues is something that must always catch the attention of individuals because discrimination and corruption is our true reality. 

Here are additional links for understanding:

  1. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/guerrilla-girls-do-women-have-to-be-naked-to-get-into-the-met-museum-p78793
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxBQB2fUl_g
  3. https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.139856.html