Discover the Dinner Party: An Icon of 20th Century Art

Discover an epic symbol of women's history and the fascinating women it showcases. This course will study one of the most significant artworks of the 20th century, The Dinner Party 1974-79 by artist Judy Chicago. Crafted during the Feminist art movement, The Dinner Party challenged the entire western canon of art visually, critically and contextually. This course surveys this collaborative artwork that elevates and showcases Western women's achievements. The Dinner Party brings to light the lives and contributions of 1,038 women from the beginning of time through the second wave of feminism. These diverse women, who greatly impacted the world in numerous ways, their stories omitted, are now brought together to illustrate and exemplify their lifeworks, legacies and challenge our view of history. Each week we will look into the various aspects and women that comprise this awe-inspiring work. Beginning with the goddesses of prehistory and moving forward through the rise of Christianity, and into the twentieth century, we will uncover the lives of trailblazers. We will also discuss the production, construction, and housing of this immense and unprecedented work of art.