Libby Rowe Exhibition

Learning Feminine: Sister by Libby Rowe was a piece that included 9 frames filled with a gelatin base, containing several strands of hair in the form of a ponytail. Beneath were a few glass dishes holding various hair accessories to style the hair pieces with. Now many of the art exhibits that I've been to discourage touching the art or even getting too close to it. This exhibit differs greatly as the art doesn't exist without the audience participation. We as audience members are encouraged to pick up a barrette and style the hair however we choose. I am even more so intrigued that the piece will never look exactly the same as before. Each person who walks past can experience the act of braiding or styling hair and are encouraged to mock this age old feminist practice with a friend having pleasant conversation about their day. Her idea of the connotation of "feminine" is right in tune with this piece. It mimics what we do every time we go to the salon to get our hair styled. It reminds me of playing dress up and getting to braid my sister's hair just for fun. We tend to lose sight of how we are socialized to be feminine when we get older, but in a way this hits close to home.