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The San Jose Museum of Art is immersed in 21st-century technological innovations—at least the first floor is. In the exhibit "Parallels and Intersections: Art/Women/California, 19502000," fast-changing images are projected on the wall, and video screens scream for attention in every corner of the room. Inventions from the past half-century are juxtaposed with moody photographs, colorful paintings and thought-provoking installations that express the ways in which more than 90 female artists have been influenced and shaped by historic events of the past 50 years.
Mildred Howard, a Bay Area artist with an installation piece at the museum, avoids labeling the collection a feminist movement in art.
"It's an interesting survey of women artists in California," says Howard. "And each piece has a historical perspective."
This exclusive collection of art, which brings together more than 90 women artists working in California during the past five decades, chronicles the historical implications of feminism, post-World War II social climate and the advent of technology.
The exhibit is being shown in two parts. Part I, running through Oct. 13, presents work reflecting the impact of technology and shows women as vocal and visible beings, challenging stereotypes of women held in the late 1960s and '70s.
Part II of the exhibit, which runs through Nov. 3, focuses on painting, sculpture and mixed media. Personal experience and cultural mythology are woven throughout an exhibit that sheds light on a myriad of feminist themes.
The exhibit explores the broad impact the involvement of women artists has made on the cultural landscape of California.
Guest curator Diana Fuller describes the objective of the exhibition as a consideration of the sociopolitical changes of the post-World War II era in California and how those changes have influenced these artists and their work. She says that the "parallels" in the exhibit's name refers to the historical and separate realities experienced by each woman within the context of California, and "intersection" refers to the points of contact found in the themes, issues and art-making practices of the artists.
Art enthusiasts will have the chance to hear Fuller discuss the exhibit and the path many of the showcased artists took to create relevant work over the last five decades. "From Marginal to Major" is free to the public and will be held at the museum on Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. Fuller's book, Art/Women/California, 19502000: Parallels and Intersections, on which the exhibit is based, features 350 pages of essays from artists and full-color reproductions of the work in the exhibit. It offers a broad spectrum of viewpoints and historical perspectives of the artists.
In addition to the exhibition, the museum is hosting a series of guest lectures featuring some of the artists from the show. "Womyn's Intuition: Five Artists from the California Sisterhood" continues on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. with its third lecture in the series, award-winning painter, sculptor, performance artist and writer Faith Ringgold. Seating is limited for these lectures, and advanced ticket purchase is recommended.
The museum is located at 110 S. Market St. in San Jose and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.5 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.10 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is free. Docent tours are available daily at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 408.271.6840 or visit www.sanjosemuseumofart.org.
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