'Groundbreaking' art celebrates women's history

‘Androgynous,’ by Likalee Tamay.

By Jamie Murnane
Assistant A&E Editor

March is Women's History Month, and Columbia students, faculty and staff have teamed up once again to plan activities, performances and exhibitions that highlight exceptional art created by women.

Last year, the monthlong celebration was called "Strong Women, Riveting Art" and now it's back with a new name-"Groundbreaking Women in Arts and Media"-but the idea is the same: to deconstruct stereotypes, break boundaries and redefine art and media as we know them.

To kick off the monthlong event, "76 cents," an exhibition featuring the work of six Chicago-based women, will be unveiled at the C33 Gallery, 33 E. Congress Parkway, on March 3. The name of the exhibit, according to co-curator Eloise Dahl, came from the fact that women earn 76 cents to every dollar a man earns.

"I really felt compelled to co-curate this exhibition because of the ongoing struggle for recognition that women as artists face," Dahl said. "Within the context of the theme of the month's events, 'Groundbreaking Women in Arts and Media,' women artists were invited based on their talent in their respective media."

Art featured in the exhibit will include sculptures by Suzanne Cohan-Lange, Columbia's chairwoman of the Interdisciplinary Arts Department.

"I generally have little interest in race or gender politics as a basis for art exhibitions, but I agreed to be in this one because I do understand that it is important for young artists to 'see themselves,' in whatever form, in galleries, museums, etc.," Cohan-Lange said.

"Think of it this way: When you look at a photo album or even a large group photograph, you look for a) yourself b) your friends or relatives or c) someone who you recognize somehow. If there is not even a 'familiar face,' you often stop looking."

Another artist whose work will be on display is Likalee Tamay, who said she is "really flattered" to be involved in the "76 cents" exhibit. Tamay, who graduated from Columbia in summer 2003, focuses on digital photography as her medium. Her robotics, video and multimedia installation, "Androgynous," will be on display.

"I don't really like to be put in any category," Tamay said. "But if it represents positive attitudes for more female artists to come up in this world . I just feel there should be something to inspire other women to do more."

‘Aphrodite in a training bra,’ by Suzanne Cohan-Lange.

C-Space Director Carol Ann Brown said in a press release, "'76 cents' is meant to provoke thought, celebrate accomplishments and inspire the limitless, untapped potential of what we teach our students every day. It is certain to be both educational and inspiring, and we look forward to welcoming members of the public to join us on campus as we celebrate women in the arts."

The exhibit, which also features abstract sculptures by Alexandra Dymowska, a wind-powered installation by Jamwork artists Marianne Fairbanks and Jane Palmer, and paintings by Jane Rooney, will be available for viewing throughout the month.

While visual art enthusiasts stop in to see the work in the "76 cents" exhibit, many different performances, screenings and exhibits will be taking place at other locations around campus.

Tanya Reed, an administrative assistant at C-Spaces and jazz musician, helped plan many of the "Groundbreaking Women" events, such as the Wiseass Comedy night, which will feature the all-woman improv group, Sirens (March 11 at the Hokin Annex, Wabash Campus Building, 623 S. Wabash Ave.); the Big Mouth open mic, featuring spoken word artists Nikki Patin and Kay Barrett (March 18, also at the Hokin Annex); the acoustic music series with Nicole Mitchell (March 8 at the Hokin Gallery); and a lunchtime concert (March 18 at the Concert Hall of the Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Ave.).

According to Reed, a committee for "Groundbreaking Women" began meeting in the summer to plan this month's events.

"What we do is have a round table and everyone just brings in bios and press kit information and we decide who to include from there," Reed said.

Other activities this month include a jazz concert from the all-female group, SHE, daily screenings of films such as Real Women Have Curves and Drylongso, and various lectures that are all free and open to the public. No matter what the medium, the art expressed will show exactly how women's art has gone from riveting to groundbreaking.