Mystifying Theory; Margot Waddel and Michelene Wander

Riya Thomas

1124122

 

''Mystifying Theory"

Margot Waddel and Michelene Wander

 

Thesis Statement

The mystification of theory and art, rebounds on the impact of the framed objects; they cannot carry the weight of the significance attributed to them and become weak visual metaphors for an esoteric intellectualisation.

1.      Topic Sentence: 'Post Partum Document', which was at the Institute of Contemporary Arts this autumn, aroused much publicity and some notoriety.

Key Word: notoriety

Concerned – some aspects of exhibition – ignored both by media and by Laura Mulvey

 

2.      Topic Sentence: we recognise the importance of the issues Mary Kelly has chosen treat as an artist, and the seriousness and ambitiousness of her project.

Key Word: the mutual mother socialisation process

Feel – the gap between – her intentions and her actual achievements – opposite effect of its apparent aims

 

3.      Topic Sentence: she draws on a relatively new area of psychoanalytic theory to transform selected moments of her relationship with her own child.

Key Word: psychoanalytical/linguistic knowledge

Deep understanding – meant to help provide – basis for women – theorise their own experience. Either viewer bring the knowledge – or use the folder of notes

 

4.      Topic Sentence: However, the note themselves are highly selective, and quite obscure to anyone unfamiliar with concepts and terminology.

Key Word: mystify theory

Mary Kelly – aware – of brief notes – extending understanding – closing gap between – theory and art – serve to theory even further

 

5.      Topic Sentence: The exhibition, free to anyone who wants to walk in, appears to be open and accessible; in fact it is opaque and not so much participatory as excluding and exclusive.

Key Word: esoteric intellectualisation

Mystification of theory – rebounds – impact of the framed objects – cannot carry the weight of significance – become weak visual metaphors – for an esoteric intellectualisation

 

6.      Topic Sentence: We do not simply longer and better notes, but question the whole form of presentation Mary Kelly has chosen; such a heavy dependence on an inadequately presented theory can only distract attention from the 'artistic' nature of the work.

Key Word: nature of psychoanalysis

Because of inadequacy – exhibition is in danger – provoking impatient.

Two important related effects – firstly, depoliticising of vital feminist issues – secondly, confusion about nature of psychoanalysis