Chocolate lingerie exhibit in Jersey City looks at American feminism – The Jersey Journal
November 15, 2014 by admin
Filed under Latest Lingerie News
American feminism has a new energy.
Just look at the conversations sparked by the viral NYC catcalling video (which has been seen by over 35 million) and Victoria Secret claiming to have “A Body for Every Body” yet failing to represent a diverse body type range in its ad campaigns.
We’re a long way from gender equality, but more people are talking and asking questions about gender roles, sexual objectification and other women’s issues.
A new art show in Jersey City is asking some of those questions, in a cheeky and chocolatey way with chocolate-dipped bras, panties and other delicates.
Artist Panda Suwann says “No Peeking at the Cocobean,” which opens today at women’s collective _gaia, shows how women are regarded as “sweet meats,” or sexual objects designed to satisfy male appetites, and are also expected to behave a certain way.
“Women are supposed to be sweet, caring and desirable,” said Suwann, adding that her Thai upbringing reinforced these ideas. “We’re not supposed to run with the boys or fight along with the boys. We’re supposed to be making dinner for the guys when they come home. And I’m not totally OK with that.”
While the 23-year-old loves to cook, sew dresses and wear four-inch heels, she also sits on the couch rooting for the Devils and Giants and has a weakness for good bourbon. She also grew up literally fighting along with the boys as an MMA fighter.
Now Suwann is bringing her bold attitude to her work. She started out taking sugar castings of her body, then moved on to dipping underwear and other items in chocolate.
“It’s overindulgence over a range of things like sexuality, playing with food and the female body,” said Suwann. “This is what people expect femininity to be about, but people should be accepted for who they are, not judged on these things and what’s supposed to be sexy.”
Doris Cacoilo, who runs _gaia, says this is just one of the collective’s many conversation-starting shows.
“We support not only the creation and exhibition of works like Panda’s that challenge gender stereotypes and gender roles but that can also create a dialogue about women and issues of sex, gender and power,” said Cacoilo. “These conversations are crucial to feminism and to creating significant change.”
“No Peeking at the Cocobean” opens today with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at _gaia, 315 Third St., Jersey City. For more information visit GaiaStudio.org.
If you’re a woman artist who’s like to get involved with _gaia, they’re looking for new members. Email doris@gaiastudio.org for more information. Membership is $200 per month for shared space.
