Freedom Center Talks: 'Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party. Feminism and Lessons Through Art For a Polarized Society'
Intended to unite and empower women, bringing them from the sidelines to the table, "The Dinner Party" by Judy Chicago vividly and powerfully championed feminism by featuring 39 prominent historical women including Sacajawea, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Margaret Sanger and Georgia O'Keeffe. Instead, as Dr. Jennie Klein noted, when it was created in the 1970s, it survived rejection, critical dismissal and political grandstanding and is now a key work of contemporary art.
Sound familiar?
Throughout history, strict political ideologies have limited people's ability to thoughtfully consider and respect differing viewpoints. If Judy Chicago created "The Dinner Party" today, would she have been "cancelled" by both the left and the right? Quite possibly, and therein lies the problem.
How can art like "The Dinner Party" help us forge greater acceptance and inclusion in society? Join the conversation on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 12:30 p.m. and find out.
Daniel Herwitz is Frederick G. L. Huetwell Professor of Comp Lit, Hist of Art, Philosophy and Art & Design at the University of Michigan. His talk about "The Dinner Party" is equal parts history and lessons for the future.