SUZANNE LACY – SITE AND LOCATION

Lacy’s work explores

Feminist Art

New genre public Art

Social Practice

Duration is a key element in her work. Lacy discusses the aim of art which for

her is that is should be educational. Before any content or subject matter,

you should consider the idea of showing it to other people, make your idea public and complete this idea with an audience.

This will lead you to your location. She explores the idea of history and

locality in relation to a specific site.

Her approach is to focus on social themes and urban issues. These are crucial to the places where the interventions happen.

Her intent is to create real political impact and create social change.

Crystal Quilt 1985 - 1987

Mother’s Day 1987

A performance piece which resulted in 430 women over the age of 60 gathering to share their views on growing older.

This performance was broadcast live on T.V. and was attended by 3,000 people.

Concept. A social strategy around older women

which society deem as invisible but who possess great leadership capacity.

Site and location

A large shopping mall in Minneapolis

Why?

Because of the vast expanse of the building but more importantly because of the ceiling which was made of crystal glass. The quilt became a reflection of this.

This was a choreographed performance. The participants followed specific instructions.

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Every 15 mins. they would hear a sound which would signal them to change the position of their hands. To the viewer this looked like stitching on a quilt.

Concept of Crystal Quilt

To show that the elderly are still active and equal members of our society and that they still possess valuable qualities.

To effect social change with regard to our attitude towards ageism.

Three weeks in January

A restaging of Three weeks in May which was staged in 1977.

It focussed on rape, and documents incidents from Jan 12th – Feb 1st 2012. It’s purpose was to see what progression L.A. had made 30 years on with regard to the anti-rape movement.

Site and location

City Hall, Los Angeles.

Why?

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City Hall, Los Angeles

Lacy invited influential members of society to take part in this collaborative work.

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A performance piece entitled ‘Storying Violence’.

Lavishly decorated.

‘Storying Violence’

Storying Rape

This is a thread from the event which took place in L.A.

This is a performance piece which took place at the 2012 Liverpool Biennial. Lacy was one of many artists who was commissioned to make a public artwork.

Site and location

The Cunard Building, Liverpool.

Why?

The building itself is one of the exhibits main features. It is laid out to represent class and level of boarding on ships. First class passengers dined on the first floor and from there boarded first level on the Atlantic liners.

This exhibition takes place on the first floor of the Building.

Cunard Building, Liverpool.

Inside the Cunard Building.

Lacy’s work was part of an exhibition entitled the ‘Unexpected Guest’.

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‘Storying Rape’

Video of the performance in L.A.