Dec 19 2014
Body, Gender and Transnationalism: Art and Cultural Criticism in a Changing Europe
Todays reading was “Body, Gender and Transnationalism: Art and Cultural Criticism in a Changing Europe” by Tal Dekel. The article views the economic and political factors that effect transnationalism, or migration of immigrants. He argues that Ukraine and other northern european countries face a problem of individuals, particularly women leaving the country due to current living conditions. One of the most interesting works of art referenced in the work was “Looking for a Husband with a EU Passport”
http://images.artnet.com/images_us/magazine/features/cone/cone5-3-07-15.jpg
In this work the artist attempts to “sell herself off”. Instead of marketing herself a dating profile in the “normal” way, she sets herself up as a product to be sold. She appears in her add; nude, head shaved, and expressionless.
This art speaks volumes for the current situation in Ukraine in regards to the desire to leave the country and the lengths people will go to to escape an oppressive situation. This also speaks to the current situation in Ukraine that needs to be addressed, the growing human trafficking rings.
http://sputniknews.com/world/20140920/193107370/Human-Trafficking-Cases-in-Ukraine-on-the-Rise.html
http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Ukraine.htm
The above links offer additional reading on the topic and can be very useful to in class discussion.