Francis M. Naumann Fine Art and David Nolan Gallery present “The Visible Vagina,” a survey course in the muff fine arts. While not as taboo as it wants to be, the current exhibit aims to remove both the forced modesty of the fig leaf and the porn-for-men context tendency in girlie-parts imagery. Featuring labial abstractions and close-ups in a variety of medium – from delicate brass-and-thread collage to psychedelic acrylics to pricey doodle — the show promises to deliver you into the rosy folds of feminist wisdom and artistic wonder. Includes at least one scared penis and vaginal contributions from Kiki Smith, Cindy Sherman, Hans Bellmer and others. Click below to see the very NSFW preview of the work.
“The Visible Vagina,” January 28 — March 20, Francis M. Naumann Fine Art (24 West 57th St) and David Nolan Gallery (527 West 29th St) concurrently
Marina, this is a really interesting post, and I do believe that the exhibition has artistic merit.
However, I must apologize to you, because when I first saw the headline, I got all rev'ed up for another down-and-dirty post by Kari Ferrell. After her recent discussion about bald versus furry pink bits, I thought she was going to reveal all (or, at least, her visible bits) to her fans.
Just sayin'.
The main image looks like a Philip Guston. Maybe the artist was influenced by him…
What, no one saw the Georgia O'Keefe exhibit posters plastered all over the subway for months?
Enough already! Unless you're using a SPECULUM, it's the VULVA you're seeing. The vagina is a tube. And it's inside.
Francis M. Naumann Fine Art and David Nolan Gallery, shame on your for proliferating this!
delicate brass-and-thread collage
http://www.nga.gov:80/image/a00001/a0000196.jpg
Anton,
I'm getting tired of people trying to correct the title. Of course we know the difference between the vagina and vulva (so do most kids who take sex education courses in high school), but the rapport that the show shares with Eve Ensler's "Vagina Monologues" would have been lost. Although anatomically inaccurate, they two words have been used interchangably. All proceeds from the sale of the catalogue will go to Ensler's not-for-profit organization, V-Day, which is devoted to preventing abuse to girls and women worldwide. All of this information is provided in the catalogue, as well as in our press release.
Dear Mr. Naumann,
Given the title of your exhibition, will you be distributing specula to gallery visitors who insist on being able to view vaginae, given that they went to all the trouble to travel to your establishment?
On the other hand, juxtaposing the title "The Visible Vagina" with the fact that, without artificial means, the vagina is in fact invisible, gives the mind something to contemplate. Ah, that's it; the next time some Philistine complains about the title, patiently explain that it's a contradiction in terms, a title as provocative as the works on display, and then seal the sale while he's still glassy eyed.
Word to the wise: Be careful about Kari Ferrell showing up to exploit this fine exhibition.
Sincerely,
Mr. Cranky
Man, talk about false advertising. All I see here are vulvas.
It's a nifty exhibit for a good cause, which I should have mentioned maybe… So just call it vulvagina. End.
sounds like a very interesting art work…as to the 'false advertising and name' claims..its an ART exhibit..its their art exhibit..who cares what the name is? let them call it what they weant..it still looks like it will be a great exhibit..