USA Projects

My project will explore and reflect upon the narrative of New Woman,  a label used by circus promoters to describe their independent and athletic women. Their very nature posed a threat to feminine ideology and domesticity during the same time the sufragettes were gaining notoriety. 

I would like to study Cà d’Zan Mansion at Ringling Museum and the cultural context of the American Circus to inform new work. A one month residency at Ringling Museum will allow me to study and document the Mansion and Ringling Circus archives.

Three years ago I visited Ringling Museum and was struck by similarities of current societal pressures with those of the 19th and early 20th Century female circus performers. Conservative societal norms and political pressures of conformity simultaneously existed in harsh contrast to flamboyant and gutsy circus aesthetics of that time.  My first impression of the mansion was more akin to awe and wonder, and I am interested in recreating this impression in my own work. I am reminded of current cultural and societal struggles we are faced with today and want to embrace this phenomenon through immersion into the fantastical life of Mable Ringling. A lifestyle juxtaposed with politics and culture of both the circus and mainstream society.

Ringling Museum website:

“The Ringling’s dazzling palatial mansion, (located on Sarasota Bay) is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy.”

 I am fascinated with the paradox of material culture alongside censorship, when conservative perceptions of societal norm contradict popular aesthetics.  New Woman will explore the materiality of Cà d’Zan in contrast to how societal pressures distorted the promotion of female circus performers.

In The Circus Age, Culture & Society Under the American Big Top, Janet M. Davis writes: “New Women seemingly erased corporeal boundaries between the sexes.  Women performers proudly displayed rippling bodies while demonstrating impressive feats of strength and handling dangerous animals.” At the juncture of the 19th-20th Century this was particularly striking because fifty years earlier women performers were downplayed.

Ringling Museum holds three collections of interest as follows:

(1) I would like to study and photograph furnishings, objets d’art, and architectural elements of Cà d’Zan Mansion, as envisioned by Mable Ringling.

(2)The circus ephemera, an archive of promotional materials and photographs, hold a visual portrayal of female circus performers.

(3)The art museum, John Ringling’s personal collection of masterpieces originally initiated to perpetuate the memory of his beloved Mable.  I am interested in looking at perceptions of value and the worldly origins of the collection. 

Fabrication of artifacts and furnishings at NextFab Studio – Using the documentation and inspiration from Ringling Museum, I will design and produce art objects and furnishings. Computer-controlled equipment will provide fabrication processes such as laser and plasma cutters, milling machine and router.

Last fall, my work took a considerable leap forward due to a six-week residency at NextFab Studio.  I learned to work computer-controlled machines and worked with equipment I had not had access to since graduate school.  Funding will provide access to equipment and new skills to build work not possible without machines and tools at NextFab.

NextFab Studio and Ringling Museum are crucial additions to the future of my life and professional career.  In my more recent career as an artist, I have been working with people to explore their female nature and in a collaborative process created a collection of female personae as photographic portraits, titled Gender Portraiture Project.  I am now using these portraits as elements in fantastical installations and print-art.  My goal with New Woman is to study a subculture (female circus performers) and their home environment (Ca d’Zan) to inform my work in a new way. A one-year membership, at NextFab, I will provide time and resources to experiment with the hi-tech machines and design ideas. My initial thoughts are to create illusory architectural elements and furniture.  I am also interested in continuing to design and develop lamps and chandeliers as well as objets d’art.  Visit my showcases ( http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/user/laureengriffin/showcases ) to learn more about my work.

$3,000.00 will pay for a one month trip to Sarasota Florida including airfare, car rental, and per diem for living expenses.  My goal is to raise $11,400.00.  The additional funds will afford a one year membership at NextFab, studio rental, and materials for creating my new art.

I hope my plea for funds leaves you as enthusiastic as I am about this new work.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions and pass this along to your friends, family, and colleagues.

Thank you – Laureen