Complain creatively. | The Guerrilla Girls | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios

[@AndreaHernandez-zy2qt]

LOLOL "John, you should sit and listen" John: I agree. fave.

[@piouppioup]

Totally.

[@cog592]

I seriously don't, mainly because I think that the more people get involved, enter the debate, do research and care, the better. Aaand because he is a part of the society as well.

[@vaniapang6]

*stares intently*

[@toiletfriend420]

@@cog592 he's better off shutting up, lest he wants to be shouted down by bigots, made an example of and then set on fire for all to see

[@nape1713]

how sad for a person to willfully be discriminated against and for those that do the discriminating to not see anything wrong with that.

[@maggieedna]

as a complainer and generally "negative" person I feel DEEPLY VINDICATED by this video. (also I feel kind of starstruck. the guerrilla girls. wow.)

[@lorenabpv]

the title makes me all "this is my kind of art"

[@tylerstreet8614]

That is terrifying. Not in a threatening way. But a deep sorrow.

[@simplyJenGrier]

Having John be quiet for this one was subtle and powerful. Sometimes, the best model for acceptance or equality is letting the other side have the attention for a bit.

[@tesseraph]

"Sometimes, the best model for acceptance or equality is letting the other side have the attention for a bit." This is completely true, but I don't think it really applies to the situation present in The Art Assignment. In a typical Art Assignment video, it is true that John is vocal, but he does so either politely of his own accord or at the behest of Sarah. To many people and most likely many fans of The Art Assignment, there are many places where John is seen as a kind of authority/expert, the person to listen to; however, in the Art Assignment, it is perfectly clear that *Sarah* is in fact the true authority, she is the art expert, she is the final word. The move to ask John to be silent, in the context of The Art Assignment, is not subverting a patriarchal system in which Sarah is the oppressed party; asking John to be silent is equivalent to inviting a guest onto a show so you can talk at them. Framing conversations about women's rights and representation as situations in which women dictate the truth to men who are to listen sheepishly is just switching the roles, not making them more fair. To do so is superficially feminist and indicates that the goal is to improve the standing of women: if, in fact, the goal is to promote and advance gender equality (which currently *includes* improving the standing of women in certain areas, a critical nuance), which I see as the nobler form of feminism, then all empathetic parties have subjective experiences worth noting. Silencing John for this video makes this a video I cannot share: too many people would see the pre-emptive shushing as an indication of John holding if not sexist then at least contrary views on the subject. Allowing him to participate permits him to reveal his views to agree, because as we all understand, silence is not agreement. Other than this sticking point, I love Art Assignment and what Sarah and co. do with it! :)

[@simplyJenGrier]

I appreciate your versed opinion. I feel that John agreed to the silence, in this case, in a gesture of support, rather than suffering a counter-oppression. However, I can also see your interpretation of the exchange as an unjust and un-feminist approach to having an equitable conversation. I hadn't thought of simply not having him there at all, which is a valid point - why share the stage with another party and then ask them to be silent? Perhaps @The Art Assignment can clear up what the intention was behind this move? Clearly we both love this show if we are picking at this point. :)

[@tesseraph]

There certainly are many ways to interpret that exchange, I'd really like to hear their rationale and what they think of our takes on it, too. Especially because that short, potentially unnecessary exchange is currently dominating the feedback and conversation of the video...

[@theartassignment]

I really appreciate reading these thoughts here. You know, it was a completely improvised moment. John and I usually sit down for a few minutes before we record to talk through the assignment and figure out roughly what we want to say. We've both noticed the Art Assignment audience calls him out immediately if our talk time isn't equal or if he seems to cut me off. Not talking was his idea that we ran with, which to us felt more like he was being pro-listening rather than me shutting him up. For me listening is something we could all stand to do more of. Me included. Am also of the camp that there are many ways to do feminism, be feminist, etc. For me there is no one strategy. The interchange documented here stemmed from John and my real life relationship, which is remarkably equitable, generous, and rewarding. We both try to be good listeners for the other, and give each other the space needed to explore ideas.

[@emileconstance5851]

I think it was a mistake to keep John out of the discussion, even if it was his choice. Feminism becomes impoverished when it limits conversations to women only, and it also tends toward a narrower, less tolerant feminism. It also suggests that men have nothing to add to the conversation, and seems to imply that men are not allies of women or feminists (or worse, that women/feminists don't want men to be allies, which seems entirely the wrong message to send).

[@lorenabpv]

i love their anominity. first, because of course the issues are bigger than these specific women and it keeps a tradition going instead of focusing on their personalities. second, anyone who ever tried talking about gender and racial issues on media knows how easily they can be targeted/have their personal lives exposed/bullied (looking at you, internet comments in general). the masks and wordplay are punny, but they're also a much needed protection. (i just read "Bitches, Bimbos and Ballbreakers" this year and loved it)

[@atelierofwitchhat]

LOVE!! I feel so inspired by these women, I look up to them, they are incredible! Great quote "Sometimes being angry and complaining is a good place to start, but it's not a great place to end; you have to craft your message."

[@octaviofabiani7612]

#theartassignment My little poem

[@BrianHutzellMusic]

Complaints? Well, here in 2020 I can’t think of a single one. This is, after all, the best of all possible worlds! - Professor Pangloss

[@lauravilbiks]

I was so exited when I saw that Guerrilla Girls were in this video!! Such a good assignment! And I love Tate Modern, wish I could travel there right now...

[@lorenabpv]

+

[@danielmcelroy4505]

+

[@theartassignment]

Tate Modern is a magical place. Where there is close to equal representation of artwork by men and women on display. Where they demonstrate a truly international perspective. And where they make incredible great video content, made available for free on their YT channel: kzbin.info!

[@rayamatariki7880]

I totally understand, I missed by them a day :(

[@privateinprivate8405]

#whereisanamendieta?

[@notlikewater]

This is incredible. I am so inspired to see Sarah's intellect combined with the Guerrilla Girls' bravery and demand for justice and equality. This makes me so so happy.

[@AmeliaBell28]

I really don't remember the last time I was THIS excited to see a video in my subscriptions feed! Thanks so much, Sarah and the Guerrilla Girls!

[@TheColoradoTardis]

The students of my alma mater are trying to have our university president removed from office for being a roadblock to diversity and acceptance on our campus. Today begins a week of protest, so this assignment is perfect. We have SO much to complain about. I will keep everyone updated on the tumblr. Fight injustice everyday!

[@MsDafiM]

YES. Complaining in an art form also gives a really positive outlet for what is essentially a pretty negative feeling. Love this assignment, wish I could see the tate modern installation!

[@SomeAdam]

"stale male pale Yale"

[@AmbroseReed]

I love that they were open to doing this episode. :D

[@jeremyw2140]

This is ultra lame

[@lawsontake7383]

I think the important part here is the creative part of creative complaining.

[@Hussiens]

This was wonderful. I'm brainstorming right now with how I want to realize this assignment.

[@theartassignment]

YAS. Whatever it is, I am hoping it involves animation!

[@reecenutter7294]

whos here bc of their teachers making them

[@SheepDoesStuff]

Yeah

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

Yes many worthy women artists weren't/aren't recognised (a legitimate complaint) - but merit tied to identity can also be problematic (another legitimate complaint) - true equity will come when the art is allowed to speak on its own merits - then we can complain about something else.

[@leviskyana]

This put a smile on my face!

[@lorenabpv]

+ (oi, Ana

[@leviskyana]

olaaar!

[@sigdokari1322]

This was a really good video. This fits very well for the time because of all of the BLM protests going on and some of the quarantine/stay at home order protests due to coronavirus, and how people could take a less active approach in it if they don't want to participate in protests or marches.

[@lmeeken]

A small thing I noticed while prepping to show this (excellent!) video to a class that I'm teaching. At 4:58, the closed captioning says that Sarah is [INAUDIBLE] when she called the Guerrilla Girls "mistress-ful." I'm guessing the person writing the captions didn't catch the neologism? Anyway, as it stands right now, the captions are kind of censoring out a woman's feminist repurposing of language in a video about feminism. And also providing an abridged experience to deaf folks who are watching. Not a huge issue, but also something that can be easily fixed, even after the video has been posted, so I thought it might be worth pointing out.

[@aurorameyer159]

Thanks for pointing that out! I fixed it, but it probably will have to be approved before it shows up in the CC. Not really sure how the approval process works, I'm new to this captioning thing. Have a great day!

[@lindamon5101]

Great noticing!

[@luaevablue]

The problem I usually see when people complain about lack of talking about women artists on history is that most of the times, they just complain about the number of men without ever saying one single woman's name. Complaint complete. You make them known. That's one thing I like about this group, though I don't know that to generally think of them. (Here's a name for you: Artemisia Gentileschi, barroque style painter. I chose her because I'm currently studying the barroque at history of art and culture at school).

[@pendlera2959]

That's a good point, but I think if you showed up with a list of female or POC artists, it might be seen as promoting those particular artists rather than pushing for more minority artists in general. Also, then it would be easy for people who were against the movement to discredit it by comparing the suggested artists to the accepted artists. It would turn into "Does Female Artist X really deserve to be exhibited instead of Male Artist Y?" That argument might distract people enough to hinder the movement.

[@coughdrop01]

This is great! I love the guerrilla girls!

[@TheXxmp40xx]

weep for the culture

[@Isabellecomplete]

I see two ways to approach this assignment. Complain about the banal, but the everyday (i.e., the man I'm seeing doesn't text me back); or complain about the "true" injustices worthy of complaint (i.e., as a woman entering the legal profession I have to accept being sexually harassed at work). I sort of like the idea of juxtaposing the banal with the unjust to explore the idea of what is "worthy" to complain about. Is complaining about sexual harassment even "worthy" when I'll be making more money that the vast majority of the population?

[@lorenabpv]

it's funny, my first thought was "i could complain about the crappy weather" (and it's correlations with my mental health) but my mind also went there, like "am i even worthy of complaining if this crappy weather floods other people houses?"

[@maggieedna]

I dont know, I think men failing to text back (/modern heterosexual dating practices in general) are driven by similar forces to sexual harassment much of the time.

[@8nayrb]

I really feel for you sister. Harassed in Army for four years and denied GI bill+College Fund. Harassed at Taco Hell, and can't pay rent. I wish I had some kind of insight into how, what's the word I'm looking for, yes! the legal system to deal with said harassment. I think I'll consult the bouncer at the strip club where I try make ends meet. (insert pun here)

[@williamromero-auila7129]

Someday the world will be unjust enough to let business thinking deploy its own counterpart

[@noname-ry3yv]

my teacher made me watch this, please help

[@kimberlytejeda-cochran9858]

gotta love this !!!

[@nicholemonade]

This was so fantastic!

[@MeIsGurlNow]

Nobody Knows You're in Pain Unless You Complain.

[@spookrockcity]

Whoever told you this should be shot in the face.

[@MeIsGurlNow]

Spookrockcity Why ?

[@katiestolealltheunicorns9309]

I am so curious as to their identities. If I could just figure it out from their voices...I'd be some sort of voice-whispererr? They sound very cool anyway, I love what they do!

[@SeanIsAwkward]

Hey! You should do a video on photography as an art form or a video on photographers such as Andreas Gursky, Lewis Baltz, Gregory Crewdson, Cindy Sherman etc. Currently in the middle of a fine art degree and i'm focusing on photography and I think it would be interesting to see you discuss the subject! (Really enjoying your videos btw)

[@raiarthur7873]

I was complaining about how there were no hiv clinics and mental health facilities in our area, not even on our government owned hospitals and health offices. I was so concerned how of how late our province was with these types of accessible healthcare. People can't get themselves checked and having private consultations cost a lot of money. The nearest facilities are from neighboring cities 2-4hrs away on commute, some of these facilities don't even have complete resources, they are very limited only to what they have. I was sad and angry. Right now I'm making an advocacy art project in order to trigger and make people talk about hiv and mental health, make them aware that the illness is everywhere but there aren't a lot of available help they can go to.

[@youssefradwan2594]

Just listen to the way she even says injustice 1:34 bruh i can't

[@drdog5287]

I have to do this for a studio art assignment. Who else is watching at 2x speed for school? XDDD

[@fatcat1399]

This is a fascinating idea. 💜

[@amoole100]

john looks so good in this video

[@8nayrb]

I'm outraged! How dare you tear down this man's identity to his looks. He is already gagged! Next he'll be paid millions of dollars to show that body on the cover of some fashion magazine.

[@adiscussionwithnationalaut471]

The Guerrilla Girls were also interviewed on the A DISCUSSION WITH National Authors on Tour TV Series in 1995: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKaYgJh4p86EadU

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Talking about a savvy complainer, there is this gaming critic/KZbinr called *MrBTongue* who uses "the power of complaining" to make amazingly entertaining videos about the criticism in games and the gaming culture. He has even done this with a few movies as well.

[@Reihanism73]

I idolize them!

[@Loughyhy6n07]

Frieda kahlo recently spoke at my university; I've been annoyed since then that I didn't work up to courage to ask why they're happy with teh term 'women artists' as opposed to 'female artists'. I see female as a descriptor, you can use it the same way you do male, it makes it not a big deal that you are a woman and an artist - which surely is the more politically correct and equal way of thinking about it? no one would ever use the phrase 'man artist'.

[@Zodamay]

Jajaja su pseudónimo realmente es Frida Kahlo, ternurita 😄 Greetings from Mexico 🇲🇽

[@demilovatofaith]

Wait now I have to wonder if rupual came up with the word herstory or the guerilla girls......

[@genralgaga]

Hi! i just had a little suggestion for you....what about a video on pretentiousness??? My friends tend to refer to the exhibitions i take them to as plainly pretentious and we´ve gotten to a point where i no longer know what it actually means....it´s meaning has certainly expanded way past "pretending to be something without being it". I think it is a term often thrown around with a little too much ease by people not to understanding of contemporary art practices. (excuse how extremely pedantic my comment is) Lastly, i lLOVE your videos.

[@christianegonbarnthaler1426]

super art

[@Keith-q6z]

Support what you say, do you wear the mask a day?

[@makitajazzqueen7794]

I don't get why John had to stay quiet. If we have a world of equality, shouldn't he also be entitled to participate?

[@toiletfriend420]

if we had a world of equality we wouldn't need to guilt art galleries into taking in inferior artists just to meet an equality quota. this was never about equality so much as getting a foot in the door illegitimately and justifying it by any means after the fact.

[@SkynardRonstein]

(Oh, and 'complaining'? That is a sign of great glamour. Only the glamorous complain. Did you not see that one coming? OK, fine, just delete my comment so you don't hafta deal with it. Seriously. Ergh, I am so tired of complaining in the comment world, so read Lovink on 'Comment Culture' if you haven't already.)

[@SEH-uf6ux]

anyone here from art class? Ms.B?

[@wiggyjay]

génial!

[@Ghonosyphlaids]

Oh man, I'm going to have the worst choice overload for this one

[@linguaphilly]

Ha, same

[@theartassignment]

I'd recommend not choosing, and just do a bunch of complaining. As long as it's done in ways unique and memorable, of course.

[@veggienoon3906]

Gorillas r frickin epic

[@mariaceronorozco8374]

I protest bras.

[@ethompson6694]

..."girlrillas" if you will.

[@oz4648]

Damn you! Damn you all to hell! (anyone get the reference?)

[@oz4648]

The Art Assignment Bless you

[@hessartadvisory9046]

Her name is Käthe Kollwitz- not Kathe. Please pronounce properly!!! #hessartadvisory

[@patrickgraham6306]

Why should John sit this one out?

[@luckas221a]

Because he's a white male, and the artists in question are very prominently advocates for the issues of women, and people of colour. It's sensible to let someone who is part of their subject and motive take the lead.

[@toiletfriend420]

@@luckas221a are the artists in question sexists and racists?

[@luckas221a]

@@toiletfriend420 my comment was clear enough.

[@toiletfriend420]

@@luckas221a so yes, then

[@luckas221a]

@@toiletfriend420 Why would you assume that?

[@cheose]

#VulvasOverLouisville

[@ZetaReticulian]

Wow..... seriously though.

[@NeilSonOfNorbert]

ok got it, so the response i am supposed to give is to shut up.

[@Xplorer228]

This would probably be more effective if I didn't already know that much of their complaints and statistics are misnomers. Take the wage gap at 2:36 for example. That 77% number should elicit an eye roll from anyone who does statistics professionally, or even has a decent understanding of quantitative analysis. We know for a fact that women are much less likely to work overtime, they tend to choose social work over higher paying jobs such as those in the STEM fields, and the share of stay at home mothers has only been rising, from 23 percent in 1999 to 36% leaving the labor force in 2013. The 77% statistic takes the total earnings of women and compares them to the total earnings of men. When taking the aforementioned variables into account its no wonder why women earn less.. its not due to discrimination. If businesses could get the same work for less by hiring women you would see businesses almost exclusively hiring women because it would be much more lucrative.

[@jayneaaron]

I agree. The wage gap is an easy example, but the fact that it's still so widespread and influential is a powerful illustration of how irresponsible it is for people to keep throwing around one-line statistics without context or analysis in order to influence others. This form of argument should not be accepted or encouraged.

[@theartassignment]

Just wanted to chime in here and let you know, for what it's worth, that the poster in question at 2:36 was made in 1985.

[@Xplorer228]

Well its not worth much considering it was erroneous back then too. The wage gap is still the staple of third wave feminism and is touted by gender studies and public figures such as Hillary Clinton all the time. Can't help but wonder if a similar situation is going on with the female artist pay gap. If the Guerrilla Girls have dropped this fallacious argument then good on them.

[@Xplorer228]

+MsDafiM Considering women do tend to take maternity leave, take more/longer vacations, work less overtime, it causes a significant financial loss to a business and is therefore a bigger risk to hire a fertile woman. It is already against the law though, and as such businesses are not allowed to determine value on their own terms and are forced to hire someone that could be a liability. Imagine, after much deliberation that you want to purchase a Macbook Pro. At this point, Olivia the Outside Observer comes in to stop you. After all, there is a product from a different brand that has the same specs but is cheaper than the MacBook. This, Olivia says, is discrimination, and you shouldn’t pay unequal money for an equal product. Anyway, I'd actually much prefer that they extend the affirmative action programs to including ALL jobs, and not just the one's at the top of the corporate ladder. Men are 93% of workplace deaths. When you start enforcing 50/50 hirings in the REAL jobs, that kill men in the thousands globally every year, how long do think affirmative action will even be an issue anymore? There's too much hypocrisy. And I'd like to see that 50/50 rate applied to the draft, too. Funny, I don't hear many feminists fighting for those rights.

[@susanmarie5657]

You are ignoring something important: Why are jobs that are female dominated paid less? Teaching, nursing, home-health care work is difficult work that requires a specific skill set and generally requires long hours. Yet these professions are often mocked or treated as far less difficult than they are, and pay far less. That's part of the reason many people are frustrated by the pay gap. Why is the labor of your local preschool teacher -- who must have endless patience, constant attention on small children, and a unique ability to coax and urge unwilling toddlers -- valued less monetarily than someone who creates algorithms? Preschool teachers are literally entrusted with the lives of vulnerable children, and if you have ever taken care of eight 2-year Olds for any length of time, you would know that doing it as a career takes special skill. Coding and creating algorithms is challenging too, but certainly not less so than taking care of children, so it makes little sense for it to have less financial value. For the record, I'm not a preschool teacher, and I realize there are other market forces at work that keep preschool teachers 's wages low, but that doesn't discount the role sexism plays.

[@charissaforeman2490]

We love to see the Black Lives Matter sticker

[@billharris1847]

Ahh complaining The female contribution to the world Man hunts Woman can't hunt but can complain about how and what he caught

[@osmium3691]

If John is just going to sit silently and listen, why is he even in the video in the first place? I get that you want the message of the video to come from a woman, as it lends a bit more weight to the argument presented, but if you're just going to say "Okay John, you're a man so shut up and listen" why have him there at all?

[@luaevablue]

Because it's normal for him to be in these videos, and it's supposed to be seen as a joke.

[@Red-ju4mi]

Nathan Bonnell it's okay. it's okay. I understand the anger but it's comedic.

[@lambusaab]

I hate patriarchy

[@awkwardauntie1978]

Anonymity! Way to stand for what you BELIEVE? The internet is THEE best place to say anything and nothing at the same time. Authenticity is hard to come by. Cudos for finding a way to get attention for yourselves without having to deal with the responsibility of that attention.

[@pendlera2959]

When others decide to make you "responsible" by burning down your house or threatening your children, anonymity is not cowardice, it's prudence. The point is to enact change; your personal name or life doesn't need to be on display for your point of view to matter.

[@tylerstreet8614]

So they are "artistic" Karen's??

[@Loungemermaid]

This is very cool but the masks freak me out

[@lindamon5101]

🌈Me2🙉🙈🙊🌻💜

[@alexjohnson9798]

yo this sucks

[@Sacrer]

Uhm, maybe the galleries have less paintings made by women because there are more men who paints? 15.8% of painters are female and 84.2% of painters are male in the United States. Do you want them to buy nonexisting paintings? It's just nonesense.