Rehistoricizing Abstract Expressionism in the Bay Area

The Rehistoricizing Exhibition at the Luggage Store gallery, curated by Carlos Villa, presented the work of women artists and artists of color from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds who worked in a ”pre post –race” environment, an era in which the artist hero was almost always a white male, in particular among abstract expressionists. Classic examples are Willem De Kooning, Jackson Pollack, Mark Rothko, all white men whose appeal was based as much on talent as a cult of personality. How did artists who did not fit the white male old survive in this milieu and make the work they were compelled to make? How can we learn from their experiences?

More importantly, how do their experiences translate in a world that is supposedly “post – race” and “post – feminism”? The theories of physical anthropology that were used to separate gender and races have been completely refuted and even the genetic basis of race is on shaky ground. But has the scientific evidence really led to changes in discourse? IN 2010 we are in an inconsistent environment in which the ideology lags behind the scientific evidence.

How does an artist proceed in this world of conflicting messages, where old ideas persist but are submerged below a polished surface of equality? How does the experience of this “post – race” world compare to that of the “pre – post race world?

www.rehistoricizing.org

image courtesy of Carlos Villa, titled Mask – Unmask
Feathers, acrylic on unstretched canvas

I was part of a small group of students who assisted Carlos Villa in organizing the exhibition, fundraiser, and symposium for this project.