Sands & VALIE: Equalities, Equivalences

These images were taken by the male gallerist of Maes & Matthys Galerie in Antwerpen at VALIE EXPORT’S first solo show there. At the opening. I went specifically to meet VALIE for the first time, and when I asked if we could take pictures together (I meant headshots) she suggested because Carolee had told me I get naked in my work if I would do it naked. She shows me her tattoo from ‘Body Sign Action‘ in the process (1968?). I love these pictures and consider them life sketches, double performalist self portraits, etc. But VALIE does not want them shown publically and we heard from Viennese art historian Brigitte Huck, friend of VALIE, that it’s because VALIE thinks she looks fat in the photos. Not very feminist imo. My penis is extra small, it was very cold in the gallery. Admittedly I was in very good shape after running etc. for six months in the psychiatric hospital AMC Amsterdam. The images were taken with my camera (digital) and are therefore my property but I respect VALIE’S wishes to not have them shown for whatever reason, even if I don’t agree. I made a little flip book with the images that will exist as an object, printed by HEMA. I think VALIE was way too hard on me in her response and I consider her blocking of me showing these important works directly anti-feminist because not intersectional, not inclusive, and actually a bullying stance (which is never feminist, Tracey Emin I’m looking at you…). More She shows me her tattoo from ‘Body Sign Action‘ in the process (1968?). I love these pictures and consider them life sketches, double performalist self portraits, etc. But VALIE does not want them shown publically and we heard from Viennese art historian Brigitte Huck, friend of VALIE, that it’s because VALIE thinks she looks fat in the photos. Not very feminist imo. My penis is extra small, it was very cold in the gallery. Admittedly I was in very good shape after running etc. for six months in the psychiatric hospital AMC Amsterdam. The images were taken with my camera (digital) and are therefore my property but I respect VALIE’S wishes to not have them shown for whatever reason, even if I don’t agree. I made a little flip book with the images that will exist as an object, printed by HEMA. I think VALIE was way too hard on me in her response and I consider her blocking of me showing these important works directly anti-feminist because not intersectional, not inclusive, and actually a bullying stance (which is never feminist, Tracey Emin I’m looking at you…).

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