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Hello,
I got a copy of your letter about researching women who participated in the Feminist
Art Program at CalArts from my sister, Nancy Youdelman.
I was in the program from 1972-1973. I graduated in 1973,
having transferred to CalArts from the University of California at Berkeley.
I was active in the "art scene" in Los Angeles
in the early-to-late 70s; I have a record of exhibitions I participated in then.
In 1978, I decided that being an artist was not profitable, or even enjoyable because
of all the financial sacrifice. They never taught us "career strategies"
at CalArts. |
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I think most people, including
the women in the Feminist Art Program, supposed they would go to graduate school
& then get a teaching position at the college or university level. l was not
interested in teaching.
I began working as a graphic designer after graduation, having
taken some minimal classes in the subject (printing & design for my "artist's
books"). It was clear to me that, outside of art school, "artist"
is a dead profession, whether the artist is male or female. |
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However, a couple of our
male classmates, and none of the female that I know of, have achieved "superstar"
status in the art world (I am thinking of David Salle and Ross Blechner). |
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But
after enthusiastic participation as an artist for several years, I said one day to
myself, "The next time I have extra cash, I won't sacrifice it all on art projects;
I will take a trip to Europe and enjoy life." And that is what I did. meanwhile
I took photographs and kept them as a "private record", my aestheticizing
of my own experience.
In 1981 I went to Japan to take a job there in a design studio
and ended up staying there for 15 years. I took a few photos and produced one printed
work there. I also established an organiztion called "The Japan-America Aesthetics
Research Society", an outlet for my expression of my ideas regarding art, beauty,
philosophy, and morals and their connections and differences in the two countries.
I don't want "art" and its expenses and its frustrations to tyrannize me. |
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I hope you let us know how your project goes.
Sincerely,
Rachel Youdelman |
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