Honorary WOMAN WARRIOR of the week: Darryl Roberts!

The documentary I went to see last night AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL is an extremely poignant look at the beauty and fashion industry and how it negatively affects millions of American women (and men). The story mainly follows the career of young model Gerren Taylor, who began doing runway at TWELVE! Interspersed with her story are interviews with industry people, doctors, scientists and regular Joes and Joe-ettes. Roberts explores the relationships between airbrushed and retouched advertising and the relatively low self-worth that many women feel, as well as the industry's unwillingness to change. While to many "educated" adults much of this information may already be known, he also reveals how, even when we know what we are up against, we can still fall victim.

Roberts said, in a Q&A session afterwards, that during his research he interviewed 200 women. Each of these women was asked several different questions, one of them being, "Do you feel beautiful." Only two women answered yes.

I hearby commend Darryl Roberts for this engaging movie, and nominate him honorary WOMAN WARRIOR of the week!

America the Beautiful....important movie

I'm going to see the Darryl Roberts movie AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL in just over an hour. Minnesota Public Radio interviewed Roberts about this important piece of work, and the audio clip will be available tomorrow. In the meantime, you can read an interview with him by clicking HERE.

You can join Darryl's blog by clicking HERE.

Join Darryl's MySpace by clicking HERE.

"Don't Hate Me Because I Am Beautiful!" an important movie

Showing this Thursday at the Lagoon Theater in Uptown (Minneapolis) will be the new documentary AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. This movie focuses on the damaging fashion industry, and what it has done to the collective self-image of Women. The following article by KRISTIN TILLOTSON is from the Star Tribune.

Documentary peels back beauty obsession

The poster for the documentary film "America the Beautiful" depicts the Statue of Liberty holding up a lipstick instead of a torch, surrounded by notes like "enlarge eyes," "airbrush wrinkles" "install implants" and "tummy tuck."

In his hometown of Chicago, filmmaker Darryl Roberts got standing ovations when he walked onstage after screenings of his doc on our nation's obsession with beauty. Now it's being tested in other markets, including Minneapolis on Thursday.

Many filmmakers before Roberts have dissected plastic surgery and the cosmetics and fashion industries, so what is it about this particular film that's bringing audiences to their feet? "For an hour and 45 minutes, you think, 'Why do we do this to ourselves? Enough is enough,'" said Dr. Jillian Croll, director of the Minnesota-based Emily Program Foundation, who has seen it twice.

The recently formed foundation, which works to educate the public on the causes and prevention of eating disorders and other weight-related issues, will sponsor two screenings (7 & 9:30 p.m. Thu.) at the Lagoon in Uptown Minneapolis. Each is followed by a forum with Roberts and foundation board members. Tickets ($15) are available at the box office or 651-379-6130.

OPEN CALL FOR MODELS TO PORTRAY NEW WOMEN WARRIORS!

I am ready to select women who are interested in portraying my new WOMEN WARRIORS. Because I am striving to be historically accurate in as many details as possible, these images are NOT glamorized portraits. Many of these women fought in battle, or were great strategists, and these portraits seek to portray strength and character over physical beauty. You do not need to be a model to apply for WOMEN WARRIORS, and all women are welcome! Absolutely no facial piercings unless they can be removed (1-2 earring holes OK). No facial tattoos. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles, please email me at katie@ekatieholm.com, or call 612-270-0267. Please put the text "Women Warriors" in the email subject line. Let me know which woman (or women) you are interested in portraying and why you would like to be considered for that role. Additionally, please email me 1-3 photos. If you are unable to email photos, I will have an open studio casting in late June or early July. Specific details on each Warrior are below, and to see other artistic portrayals click on the word "images" after each name. I am using these artistic portrayals merely to see how other artists have depicted each woman; you do not need to look like these images to apply.

Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt, c. 1500 BC-1458 BC IMAGES The first Queen Regent to rule as Pharaoh, and one of only five women to do so. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. She was one of the most prolific builders in ancient Egypt. Fans of Egyptology will know that her mummy was recently discovered and DNA analyzed, allowing us to know more about her lineage and physical build. Interesting fact: at the time of her death, Hatshepsut was obese and diabetic.
Model notes: Hatshepsut reigned for 20+ years, and I would like to portray her between ages 30-42. Because she portrayed herself as Pharaoh (male), I may choose to dress her in the traditional Pharaonic costume, which was only a collar and kilt (no top). If you are interested in this role but do not want to be photographed topless, consideration will be given to this, so please apply.

Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, Vietnam, c. 12-43 AD IMAGES Two sisters who became leaders and successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years. Most of their 36 generals were women, including their mother. They are national heroines of Vietnam.
Model notes: The Trung sisters would have been between ages 28-31 (approx.) during their leadership. Ideally I would like two sisters, or cousins, to portray these women. No dyed hair, please.

Nzinga Mbandi, Africa, c. 1583 - 1663 IMAGES Queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in southwestern Africa (Angola). She fought against Portuguese slave trade, and put women in positions of power.
Model notes: Nzinga took power around 1622 at approx. age 39, and reigned until she was 80, and will portray her anywhere between these ages.

Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica, ?- c. 1733 IMAGES National Heroine of Jamaica and a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the eighteenth century. Fought against Spanish and British slavers, and sought independence for the people she led. Nanny is believed to be a free woman from the Akan or Ashanti tribe who came to Jamaica of her own choice. She was both a spiritual leader and expert strategist, and many myths and superstitions surround her existence.
Model notes: While Nanny's exact age is not known, she is depicted as an older-looking woman. I will portray her anywhere between ages 40-65.

Nanye-hi (Nancy Ward), America, c. 1738-1822 IMAGES Cherokee "Beloved Woman" She struggled for peaceful co-existence with white settlers, and was a revered leader in her tribe. On two occasions she managed to thwart hostile attacks, and was able to save the lives of many settlers and Native Americans alike.
Model notes: I would like to portray Nanye-Hi anywhere between ages 43-70.

Deborah Sampson Gannett, America, 1760 -1827 IMAGES The first known American woman to impersonate a man in order to join the Army, the first to fight in combat, and the first to receive a military pension.
Model notes: I would like to portray Deborah as either the 22-year-old who joined the army, the 42-year-old who gave lectures on her adventures, or in her early 50s when she was petitioning for her pension. The painting of her in the oval frame is an actual historic painting.

Policarpa Salvarrieta "La Pola," Columbia, c. 1791 - 1817 IMAGES "La Pola" was an orphaned seamstress who became an important strategist and spy, and fought in the Colombian revolution for independence from Spain. The Spanish put her to death, but Colombia eventually got its freedom.
Model notes: I would like to portray Policarpa in her early- to mid-twenties, about the age when she was captured and executed.

Lakshmi Bai, The Rani of Jhansi, India, c. 1828 - 1858 IMAGES Lakshmi was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi in North India, was one of the leading figures of the Indian rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. Her fall brought about many significant changes in India. Due to her bravery, she became a national hero and the epitome of female bravery.
Model notes: Lakshmi will be portrayed around age 30.

First Thursday Open Studio event

Please join me this coming Thursday, June 5 for First Thursday at my new studio space in the Northrup King Building! The first Thursday of each month is “First Thursdays” in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. Many artists in the NKB, as well as other artist co-ops in NE, will have their studios open to the public from 5-9pm. I am located in Studio 404 of NKB, just down the hall from Icebox Gallery & Framing and Studiopolis.

I will be available in the studio from 6:15-9. Additionally, I will not be participating in First Thursday again until September, due to previously scheduled events.

E. Katie Holm, photographer
612-270-0267
www.ekatieholm.com
Northrup King Building, Studio 404
1500 Jackson St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
www.northrupkingbuilding.com