Introduction

Before you look at the artist, title, and date information for these objects, can you identify which were created more recently, and which were created in an earlier period? How did you come to these conclusions? Do you find both historical and contemporary elements in any of these pieces? What are they?

How can you relate the shapes and colors of the two chairs shown here to the representation of women? What are the words and images you see in the fabric of the chairs when you zoom in on the images? How do the texts and images in this juxtaposition reflect ways of looking at women? On first looking at these images, did you have any sense of whether the creators of these pieces were men or women? Why? Do you think it is important to ask that question?

How many different kinds of “fashioning” can you find in this juxtaposition? Do you think chairs can be “portraits”?