Chitra Ganesh
Chitra Ganesh brought up an author I have explored previously and led me to rediscover Mary Douglas. I am interested in how we process the body and what can be/ is produced by the body, both male and female. Lynda Nead’s Theorizing the Female Nude, led me back to an earlier reading I had done written by the anthropologist, Mary Douglas, who was brought up by Ganesh in her lecture. Her book Purity and Danger, specifically the first section Ritual Uncleanliness addresses matter of the body and matter out of place or separated from the human body.
This section draws a parallel and elaborates on the point Nead presented regarding the transgression of the relations of dirt and hygiene. Lynda Nead’s Theorizing the Female Nude , led me back to an earlier reading I had done written by the anthropologist, Mary Douglas. Her book Purity and Danger, specifically the first section Ritual Uncleanliness addresses matter of the body and matter out of place or separated from the human body. This section draws a parallel and elaborates on the point Nead presented regarding the transgression of the relations of dirt and hygiene. Lynda Nead’s Theorizing the Female Nude, led me back to an earlier reading I had done written by the anthropologist, Mary Douglas. Her book Purity and Danger, specifically the first section Ritual Uncleanliness addresses matter of the body and matter out of place or separated from the human body. This section draws a parallel and elaborates on the point Nead presented regarding the transgression of the relations of dirt and hygiene.
I was interested in hearing more of Ganesh’s thoughts on site specificity. I have found that lot of pieces make the most sense in very specific places. This is stating the obvious. When creating or designing (one in the same in most senses) what comes first site or piece? The logistical side of all things based in reality tells me site. Is this based on grants and common needs? Do all needs come from absence? Often I feel like my work isn’t purposeful enough because I think of something and then pursue creating that thing. Creators follow instincts but is it expected that those instincts are always based in something that is purposeful but also born from fact and evidence? Purpose and intention can be included without fact and evidence but when is it important to start questioning one’s instinct? Is this question raised due to the outcome of these instincts? (what has recently been produced/what I have recently produced/purpose)?
