Nov 14, 2021

Update Nov 12: This event is organized in line with the latest safety measures. Read more about your visit & safety here. 

An afternoon, live and via livestream, on beauty ideals, commodification of beauty, the objectification of the female body, body image, and gender. With Meredith Jones (keynote spreker), artist Lauren Kalman (winner Françoise van den Bosch-award) in conversation with Stedelijk-curator Amanda Pinatih, chairman Françoise van den Bosch Stichting Martijn van Ooststroom, and trophee-designer Eleonora Radke.

Price
Museum entrance fee (ticket, ICOM or Museumcard)
Location
LIVE: Stedelijk Teijin Auditorium ONLINE: Stedelijk Youtube-kanaal (link wordt tzt hier gedeeld)
Time
Nov 14, 2021, 1.45 pm until 4.30 pm
Admission
Tickets event    Livestream
Please note, for this event you need a coronavirus entry pass.

This lecture program is structured around themes connected to the work of artist and designer Lauren Kalman, exploring topics such as beauty ideals, commodification of beauty, the objectification of the female body, body image, and gender. Introduced by transdisciplinary scholar Dr. Meredith Jones, Kalman will receive the Françoise van den Bosch Award for her contribution to the field of contemporary jewelry and craft. In our image-dominated culture the presentation of the body has become central to how we think about ourselves and others.

This domination of the self-image affects every aspect of our culture and our ideas about how the body should look – and how it could be enhanced. Beauty ideals are historically linked to a female body that is constantly scrutinized, objectified, and commodified, and feed into an idea that women are incomplete or lacking and require “improvement” in the form of adornment, makeup, or cosmetic surgery. But a growing number of – mostly female – artists is challenging these ideas, reclaiming the female body as an artistic medium for criticism of and resistance to culturally dominant beliefs following cultural standards.

Lauren Kalman, 'Device for filling a void'. Courtesy Françoise van den Bosch Foundation
Lauren Kalman, 'Device for filling a void'. Courtesy Françoise van den Bosch Foundation

 Jones will discuss the work of Kalman within the wider context of makeover culture and feminist theories of the body. As a scholar, Jones is particularly interested in popular culture, visuality, and embodiment, and her research investigates the intersections of feminist theory, media theory, gender studies, and cultural studies.

PROGRAMMA

1.45 pm
Doors open
2 pm
Welcome by Amanda Pinatih and Martijn van Ooststroom
2.15 pm
Keynote by Meredith Jones: All that Glitters: 21st Century Feminine Bodies
3 pm
Questions for Meredith Jones moderated by Amanda Pinatih
3.15 pm
Spoken Column Manique Hendricks
3.30 pm
Conversation between Lauren Kalman, Meredith Jones, and Amanda Pinatih
4 pm
Award Ceremony with Martijn van Ooststroom, award winner Lauren Kalman, and award designer Eleonora Radke
4.15 pm
Closing remarks by Martijn van Ooststroom
4.30 pm
End of program and drinks at the Zadelhoff Caf

LAUREN KALMAN

Lauren Kalman (USA) is a maker of objects relating to the body, creating wearable objects as well as performative pieces and installations that expand the concept of body ornamentation. Her practice is a crossover between craft, performance, and visual art. Using the body as a metaphor, she creates visually provocative pieces that challenge what jewelry and body adornment can be. Through her work she investigates sex, gender, power, and beauty—relevant themes that are bigger than the jewelry discipline alone.

MEREDITH JONES

Meredith Jones (UK) is a transdisciplinary scholar who works at the intersections of feminist theories of the body, media and communications, gender studies, and cultural studies. She is particularly interested in popular culture, visuality, and embodiment, and has published widely in these areas. She often speaks publicly about social media, popular culture, and feminism, and is an expert on the socio-cultural aspects of the Kardashians. She hosted a scholarly Kimposium! in 2015 and Kimposium! The Sequel in 2021. Meredith is the director of the Institute for Communities and Society at Brunel University London.

MANIQUE HENDRICKS 

Manique Hendricks (NL) is an art historian. She works at LIMA, the institute for media art in Amsterdam as a junior conservator. In addition, as an independent curator, writer and researcher, she focuses on contemporary (media) art, visual- and digital culture. Touching upon themes as identity, representation, the body, camp and club culture. 

This lecture program is organized on the occasion of the 2020 edition of the biannual Françoise van den Bosch Award presented by the Françoise van den Bosch Foundation. The award is presented to an internationally renowned jewelry designer with an influential body of work and voice, on the recommendation of an independent jury. Lauren Kalman is the 2020 award recipient.