EXHIBITION TEXT

To celebrate the 50th anniversary and expand upon narratives surrounding the historic environmental art installation and performance space, we are pleased to present WOMANHOUSE. The exhibition will be on view at 4859 Fountain Avenue, February 18 – April 16, 2022. An opening reception will take place Friday, February 18 from 5-9pm, with performances at 7pm.

As the first female-centered art presentation of its kind, Womanhouse opened in January 1972 paving the way for new subject matter, new techniques, new ideas and a new way of looking at art. This exhibition examines the spirit of experimentation and collaboration that defined west coast Feminist Art and traces the period that immediately preceded and succeeded Womanhouse from 1970 to 1976. Tracing the narratives, origins, and legacy of this historic period through Fresno Feminist Art Program, Womanhouse, Womanspace, and The Woman’s Building allows for a multi-faceted conversation about the energy and trajectories that this period of art history unleashed.

Instead of recreating historic installation works, which could serve to retrench what is already known, this exhibition looks at the larger practices of these artists—what was made before, during, and coming out of this experience. Taking a cue from the original Womanhouse invitation there will not be an artist list. Instead throughout the exhibition, we will crowdsource the names of artists who were active during this period in order to produce a living archive and digital monument.

On view will be historic works alongside ephemera and photographs from the original Womanhouse installations that explore the roots of central core imagery, collaborative practices, and performance and costuming. The exhibition aims to situate Womanhouse within a larger conversation about this underhistoricized and productive experimental period of Southern California Feminist Art History.

Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) will serve as a cultural partner, led by Laura Hyatt, Executive Director and Hugo Cervantes, Curatorial Associate, they organized a dynamic performance and events series that will include restaging of historic performances, consciousness-raising sessions, and film screenings. These performances and events will include participants from the original Womanhouse alongside emerging artists in order to reimagine and complicate ideas relevant to our contemporary moment.

This exhibition is organized by Stefano Di Paola and Anat Ebgi Gallery and planned in close collaboration with the many participating artists as well as the following galleries: Eric Firestone Gallery, Lyles & King, and Jessica Silverman.

Past events and performances:

Friday, February 18
Gallery open 12 – 9 pm
Opening reception 5 – 9 pm

Performances begin at 7 pm
Lea’s Room by Karen LeCocq
Waiting by Holly Harrell

Saturday, February 19
Gallery open 12 – 8 pm
Zine launch of “Dream House,” collaborative zine project by Cindy Rehm, readings by Claressinka Anderson, Sarah Green, Jennifer Pilch, Jessica Dillon, and Karolina Lavergne. The readings will take place at 2:30 pm.

Sunday, February 20
Gallery open 12 – 8 pm

Saturday, March 5
Performances begin at 2pm
Waiting by Holly Harrell
Waiting With by Kayla Tange

Saturday, March 19
Performances begin at 4pm
Maintenance #1 by Karla Ekatherine Canseco
Maintenance #2 by Sebastian Hernandez
Maintenance #3 by Gabriela Ruiz

Sunday, April 3
Womanhouse Now: Films and Experimental Shorts
Hosted by Los Angeles Filmforum, LAND, and Anat Ebgi
Doors open 1 pm, Screening starts 1:30 pm
Purchase tickets here: LA FILM FORUM

*Please note this event is being held at 2220 Arts + Archives*
2220 W. Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles

Saturday, April 9
Performances begin at 4pm
Cunt Cheerleaders:
Holly Harrell
Kayla Tange
Marka Maberry-Gaulke
Megan Rippey
Sebastian Hernandez

PRESS

“Revisiting the Famed Feminist Exhibition Womanhouse with an Intersectional Lens” by Neyat Yohannes for Artsy

“Womanhouse—the original matrix for feminist art—turns 50” by Jori Finkel for The Art Newspaper

Pick of the Week: WOMANHOUSE 1972/2022 by Lauren Guilford for Artillery

16 Standout Gallery Exhibitions to See in L.A. by Sarah Cascone for artnet news

Hyperallergic Guide to Art in Los Angeles

KCRW Greater LA: WOMANHOUSE

OCULA: Anat Ebgi Celebrates Forerunners of West Coast Feminist Art