The 70s were a time of social and technological revolution and women were its leaders. Advanced media technologies emerged in the 70s allowing many artists access to recording equipment in video and film for the first time. The opportunities this new-found access provided coincided with a strong desire amongst many women artists to incorporate the body into various modes of performance. The burgeoning time-based medium of video offered an ideal format for these endeavors, which set the foundation for the crucial role women have played in the development and progression of film and video over the past thirty-five years.
Join Colleen Dixon and Bridget Irish as they take you on a journey through an abbreviated survey of 70s feminist film and video art. Five seminal short works will be introduced and discussed in their historical and social context – audience participation is encouraged.
Vertical Roll 1972 / 20 min / b&w / sound Director: Joan Jonas
Female Sensibility 1973 / 14 min / color / sound Director: Lynda Benglis
Through the Large Glass 1976 / 10 min / color / silent / 16 mm film Director: Hannah Wilke
The East Is Red, The West Is Bending 1977 / 20 min / color / sound Director: Martha Rosler
Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman 1978-79 / 6 min / color / sound Director: Dara Birnbaum
