How do you define Feminism?
Inspired by Kathleen Hanna’s Riot Grrrl Manifesto: a product of the underground feminist punk rock movement in 1990 that critiqued the patriarchal attitude and organization of the independent music scene in Olympia, WA.
First and foremost, however, the manifesto promoted a message of female empowerment.
The manifesto aimed to break gender stereotypes, take control of anger, and change the world: to encourage women in the face of their own insecurities. The Riot Grrrl movement wanted to build women up outside of the gender constructs and definitions created by men that had become the dominant ideology. They wanted to take back the power of defining who they were, what they wanted, and how they were going to get it.
How do you define Feminism?
What does Feminism look like?
Mixed Responses
Why do we need Feminism?
Why is Feminism Important?
The importance of Feminism is often confused with the stereotypes surrounding it: Feminism today is not about tank tops and combat boots, but has expanded to defending the rights of anyone that is oppressed.
It has become a symbol of independence and strength that has become bigger than itself.
We wanted to create a discussion around a label: Feminism.
We asked four questions.
How do you define Feminism?
What does Feminism look like?
Why do we need Feminism?
Why is Feminism important?
We handed out four different cards with the aforementioned questions to students, faculty, and members of the Fredonia community over the course of multiple public events held on campus. No names were collected and we welcomed the participants’ anonymity. We encouraged anyone participating to also read/observe what others had shared in their responses.
We asked each participant to Draw or Write their response on the back and then check a box answering “Are you a feminist?” By far the most fascinating responses we received were those that wrote/drew about the inequality and injustice between genders, that they supported equal rights, and then checked “no.” We encountered many community members with strong opinions on both sides; and even more who were initially puzzled by the question, and after taking a few minutes to collect their thoughts, came back with some of the most thorough and passionate responses we received.
The feelings and definitions regarding Feminism are mixed and polarizing. Our goal was not to change minds, but to create a space to acknowledge, explore, and confront opinions surrounding Feminism.
Compiled responses were hung throughout the Rockefeller Arts Center in Fredonia, New York to continue fostering the discussion and share the diverse opinions regarding Feminism and what it means.
We believe that anyone who supports equal rights can be—and is—a feminist.
Creative Direction: Megan Urban
Art direction & design: Sarah Rocco & Chris Steckline (above left)
Rockefeller Arts Center, 2014 | Fredonia, New York
The Big Read
The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tri-fold poster
Throughout the summer months, June–August, the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York provides numerous educational programming across multiple disciplines. The Institution’s year-round staff works tirelessly throughout the offseason planning the following year’s programming.
In partnership with the NDA and The Big Read, we wanted to provide the programming, planning, and execution of a book discussion event for the full-time staff that would foster discussion, literary analysis, and challenge Chautauqua’s literary and intellectual community.
Big Read Event, April 2015
Chautauqua, New York
Flier advertisment
Bookmark takeaway
The Big Read event was held at Smith Memorial Library at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. Library exhibit and promotional materials included: an informational tri-fold poster board summarizing our research, background of the book, and character studies; flier avertisemnt; and bookmark takeaway.
Copy & analysis: Sarah Rocco & Jack Saxby
Art direction & design: Sarah Rocco