There are many different angles to approach Ecofeminism with. In “Ecofeminism: Historic and International Evolution”, Laura Hobgood-Oster, from Southwestern University in Texas, outlines these positions and some critiques of the movement. Ecofeminism looks at globalization, religion, spirituality, science or societal structures, to name a few, with regard to patriarchial hierarchies and the relationship of female and nature.
I think looking at art history is another way to view the ecofeminist perspective. Throughout the centuries the female nude has been painted time and again with the male gaze in mind. The female nude/s has historically been accompanied by fruit, nature, plants or water for example. Many paintings depict the female nude form in fields, oceans, bathing. Looking at ecofemnist with an art historical perspective in mind, I can see the relationship between female and nature.
https://www.manet.org/a-bar-at-the-folies-bergere.jsp
With this in mind, I will analyze the painting “A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, 1882 by Edouard Manet”. This painting was at the turn of the 19th century and an example of modernity. The viewer can see the crowded room but only in the reflection of the mirror behind the woman who is looking off in the distance, unengaged. It is obvious that the woman here is the object of the male gaze. In the reflection, the woman’s back is toward the viewer and we can see a man looking at her, not talking. It would appear that the woman is ignoring the man, or is inaccessible which could be another aspect of the male fantasy.
One of Karen J. Warren’s first of eight woman nature connections is “historical, typically causal connections which focus on cultural and scientific changes throughout history that has created a “ “mechanistic world view of modern science,” which sanctioned the exploitation of nature, unchecked commercial and industrial expansion, and the subordination of women.” (Warren, https://thereitis.org/warrens-introduction-to-ecofeminism/)
Other elements, such as the ‘v’ shape at the bottom of the dress is suggestive of the vagina, the length of her sleeves and cut of her dress is suggestive that she might also be a prostitute.
In addition, even though this painting was at the height of modernity and industrialization there is still reference to classical paintings of the past and the persistence of the link between women and nature. In the forefront, is a bowl of oranges/fruit which is often a symbol of sexuality or fertility. Other elements ars roses in a glass, and flowers tucked in front and center of her chest.
With this is mind and Warren’s historical connection a further analysis could be that this painting is a reflection that nature and the woman is the object of the male gaze.
One could also suggest there is a level of dualism within the painting another aspect that perpetuates the patriarchial hierarchy. There is male and female, crowd and one person and sense of other.
The performance artist Ana Mendieta(from the 70’s) embodies ecofeminsm. In her Siloetta series she creates “earth-body” art. She leaves imprints of her body in the soil and decorates the absent body form with flowers, fire, sticks. Sometimes her body is present though covered in flowers. Mendieta reclaims the nature and female connection and creates references to the symbols of the goddess, spirituality, identify and ultimately suggests that her body and the earth are one. Personally, I think the connection she makes with nature is empowering.
Hi,
The art you shared by Ana Mendieta was strong. I have never heard of this artist before, so thanks for sharing. I particularly loved the image of the red in the water. I interpreted it as a period flowing, which is a bold imagery of what it’s like to identify as a woman. The connection between women and nature is something that I think a lot of people would agree with, but typically the first thing that comes to mind is something like a flower. Women are traditionally described as dainty, beautiful, soft. While these things are often true, women resemble a lot of other aspects of nature as well. Mendieta showed the strength of women in those images. She showed the physical challenges they endure, the emotional strength they can carry that sometimes feels like being buried alive. The earth is put through so much oppression and trauma – so are women. If this artist had made pieces similar to this in 2020, I wonder what they would show. A woman in dirty water to draw attention to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan? A woman with fiery strength to remind us all of the crisis in Australia? I wonder, while Mendieta’s pieces were already emotional, if they’d have more of a sense of urgency towards how nature and women are being treated in modern days. Symbols and images can sometimes draw more emotion than words can, and this got me.
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for reading my post. I think your interpretation of her artwork is spot on and like the connection you make between trauma and oppression of the earth as well as women. Other performance pieces she did had more of a sense of urgency, shock and disturbance (that might be still effective today). Especially for the abuse toward women. Alot of her other performance pieces did include blood. Which is interesting to look further into, if you are interested in her work. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/mendieta-ana/artworks/
She actually died rather young and shrouded in mystery. There is speculation that her husband (who was also a sculptor) killed her, or that there was domestic abuse at home.
https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/10/books/a-death-in-the-art-world.html
I wish she was still alive! Because I’m sure if she were she’d be making moves. Personally, I think someone should revisit the Siloetta series with the modern day in mind, like you mentioned, I think it would be very moving.
I absolutely love the image you chose. This painting of Manet is a very good example of woman and nature. Looking at this painting right away tells the viewer that the woman is not happy because of her facial expression. I have noticed that many of these male gaze type of paintings show an unhappy woman. I can’t think of a painting like this one where the woman looks like she is enjoying what she is doing. Also, you made me understand the meaning of the foods and flowers around her because at first, I couldn’t really see how this image related to nature. These type of symbols (fruits and flowers) are a way of softening the female appearance because a woman is supposed to be delicate, and fruits and flowers are considered delicate.
This woman looks submissive and controlled. This is the same thing that we try to do with nature. However, I think it’s interesting that we try to control nature since nature can’t really be controlled. One of the ways through which we control nature is by the terms we use to describe it. For example, raped, conquered, mined, etc. These are terms that point to men as the masters of nature. The word raped, for example, is also a way of feminizing nature, since that’s the same term that we use to refer to a woman who has been sexually abused.
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