Womanhouse
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Womanhouse (30 January – 28 February 1972) was a women-only art installation and performance organised by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro, co-founders of the California Insitute of the Arts (CalArts) Feminist Art Program. Chicago, Schapiro, their students and artists from the local community participated. Chicago and Schapiro encouraged their students to use consciousness-raising techniques to generate the content of the exhibition. Each woman was given a room or space of her own in a 17-room mansion in Hollywood, California.
Only women were allowed to view the exhibition on its first day, after that the exhibition was all-come, all-see. Chicago observed that on the first day, responses to the artwork were heightened, and on subsequent days responses were muted.
Among the artists and CalArts students that collaborated were:
- Beth Bachenheimer (Shoe Closet)
- Sherry Brody (Lingerie Pillows)
- Faith Wilding (Womb Room)
- Kathy Huberland (Bridal Staircase)
- Camille Grey (Lipstick Bathroom)
- Robin Weltsch and Vicki Hodgetts (Nurturant Kitchen)
- Miriam Schapiro (Doll’s House)
- Judy Chicago (Menstruation Bathroom).
Johanna Demetrakas filmed the performance pieces: Faith Wilding (Waiting), Sandra Orgel (Ironing), Judy Chicago (Cock and Cunt Play, performed by Faith Wilding and Janice Lester), Karen LeCocq (Leah's Room).
