Confessions of a Feminist Artist, part I

[frevelm]

Do you really have to be sexual in order to get into the right kinds of contact with men?

[LolaKalman]

from my experience, both sides have to have a mutual interest (in Hebrew i'd say "interesse"- it suggests "motive") in the benefits of a relationship without the promise of any sexual gratification. This is not always the case.

[frevelm]

Yeah, it's very true. Sexual freedom is for trying to be free in other senses. ... But sometimes that way of trying to be free traps you, which sort of changes that good thing into an awful one. ... Sex might become what you think it's all about if you can't have it that it's about that biological stuff. But even so it might be used in itself and it's a sad thng not to be able too.

[vilsefint]

It's also interesting the way you pin-point some ones "cruel Darwinism", which surely would be quite anti-spiritual. ... Perhaps you've heard about Lamarckian evolution, and for example Dr. Lipton's statements about it? Or about memetic evolution (and even its comparison with our genetic on). And last but not least yoga is of course a terrific statement about a spiritual aspect not caught by Darwinists.

[LolaKalman]

It's flattering when audiences read more into my videos than I was aware of when making them. I had heard of Lamarckian evolution, though not Lipton's statements on them. I've heard of memes (mostly through Steven Pinker) so I can sort of figure out what memetic evolution means. I can't say that I had those in mind when editing "Confessions" but no matter. A work of art takes on a life of it's own and can legitimately constitute different things for different people.

[vilsefint]

Have you ever had a problem with some one scorning you for filth? I' sure, though, that you're helped both by being an artist you against that kind of prejudgments, and by being a woman against the scornfulness, but perhaps not the too-filthy kinds of attitudes. Therefore, the answer to your last question the answer would be both -- wouldn't it? You seem to use your body for expression, as well as your art to make that expression better. :-|

[yohan31]

I was really interested in the way you have equated "not shaving your armpits" with freeing yourself from your own self-objectification. Why? Because I'm a guy and I shave my armpits regularly (not out of vanity though), so what does that make me?

[LolaKalman]

my guess is that the politics of shaving your armpits is different for a man. if you do it, and not out of vanity, you're not subject to the same scrutiny as a girl who doesn't. For you it's perhaps practical, and men in general are stereotyped to be more practical than women, aren't they? Thank you so much for your thoughts.

[vilsefint]

Isn't reality that it is more usual for women to be practical for emotional reasons, while most of us more inclined pragmatic about emotions?

[yohan31]

You have an interesting perspective. Why you would seek to separate your self from your sex is unfathomable to me. I just don't have a slot for it. I've always considered my sex to be an inextricable part of my self. I've enjoyed your videos because I absolutely don't have the capacity to feel what you feel. It makes understanding them a challenge.

[xcusemeprincess]

I consider myself a postmodern feminist, and I'm trying my best to learn about other postmodern feminists but there seems to be so much misinformation about feminism on the web, as well as much hatred.

I loved this movie so much, you had this incredible sense of gentleness and fragility at the same time. I find that gentleness is one of the most difficult traits to have as a human, and you have so much of it in your heart.

[xcusemeprincess]

Your thoughts and struggles are beautiful, thank you so much for this. I will not forget this.

I am a young man, and although this doesn't matter to me, this might mean something to you when it comes to the understanding my comments.

[LolaKalman]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Nothing gratifies me more than having audiences identify with my personal work.

[rasavonwerder]

For men the Genetic Modification experiment will soon be over Male-female conflict is IRRECONCILABLE 1/3 of male sperm is DEFORMED Males going EXTINCT Genetic genius Bryan Sykes says wealth power & greed in males & DELIBERATE SLAVERY of female Women keep reproducing as EGG is REPRODUCTIVE CELL sperm is a PARASITE Coming soon: 23 chromosomes from egg of 1 female inserted to egg of another Two female parents All girl kids Woman only world coming Planet is saved Rasa Von Werder YouTube

[istoute]

You might have more success at being an artist if you drop the post-modernism. You make films to show that films are a lie? Are worthless? How do you expect to gain any respect or acclaim for doing this? People HATE post-modern art. The only one's who find any value in it are art majors!

There is such a thing as objective truth and our brains are designed to discover it. We may not be 100% right, but our brains do not operate on absolutes, only probabilities.

[istoute]

These probability calculations revolve around a few basic principles necessary for our survival and the proliferation of our genes. Yet even these principles manifest only as tendencies, not absolutes. Yet they absolutely exist. We are not automatons as we recognize them. We are automatons of such glorious complexity that our science and philosophy has yet to completely understand it. Even then, it will not be an instinctual comprehension, but one that seems counter-intuitive.

[LolaKalman]

I appreciate your thoughtful comment. (Have you ever had such a passionate response to a "modernist" video on YouTube?) I'm not inclined to argue theoretically right now. All I have to say is that post-modernism is the only cloak that fits for me to express myself, to the extent that 90% of what drives me to make art is the personal impulse for catharsis.

[agreggofsociety]

i love when people use big words, and are totally clueless. lola, you're a genius. your videos are relevant statements masked in inimitable wit, and where can i get me dat sweater?!?

[LolaKalman]

90% of the satisfaction comes from watching my finished work and knowing that I got something out. When others identify intimately with what I've done (and many did with "Confessions")that's just icing on top. Stay tuned for what's coming in late summer!

[yeledyeled]

wonderful!

you are very talented and I really relate to what you do and what you think and feel.

great job!

Hanan from Israel

:)

[LolaKalman]

toda raba, Hanan. Comments from people like you are what make the life of this tortured artist all worth it... heheh.