Poster by Li Xinmo
Bald Girls – WOYESHI #METOO 2021
“Bald Girls” is embarking on its latest initiative, “Me Too.” Traditionally guided by the maxim “private is public,” the collective has long sought to elevate the intimate expressions of female artists into the public domain. Over the past decade, transformative shifts have occurred both in China and globally. While certain “private narratives” have successfully infiltrated public discourse, an increasing number of female artists have come to believe that some aspects of privacy ought to remain unexposed.
Li Xinmos Workshop live picture 2021/R. Emden
The “Me Too” project emerges as a timely exploration of the tensions and interactions between personal narrative and public space. Although the #MeToo movement has garnered international attention as a seminal public issue, it remains deeply rooted in the personal. In China, some female artists express a desire to simply assert their individuality—preferring to be “me” rather than a participant in broad public debates. These viewpoints, grounded in personal experience and thoughtful reflection, highlight a paradox: art is never merely a private affair. In a society where ideology permeates every aspect of life, the quest to “be oneself” is far more complex and, indeed, a rare luxury rather than an everyday comfort. “Me Too” thus underscores the inescapable public dimension inherent in the journey toward self-realization.
Li Xinmos Workshop live picture 2021/R. Emden
In the video of the first episode of “Me Too”, Ms. Juan Xu, the founding curator of Bald Girls, and Ms. Li Xinmo, the founding artist of Bald Girls, talked about the creative motivation and the social reasons for launching the “Me Too” project, as well as the artist’s involvement in social issues possible paths. Artist Jiang Zhenlei actively participated in the questioning. The first episode is also interspersed with a video of Ms. Juan Xu interviewing the Austrian feminist critic Ms. Julia Hardmann, providing an international perspective on the project.
Metoo# Movement in China 2018/21
Ultimately, this inaugural episode delves into the complex interplay between private narratives and public spaces, offering a fresh perspective on feminist artistic expression. It also illuminates the poignant journeys of contemporary female artists and curators, who engage in serious, reflective discourse on the challenges and evolving roles of women today.
Chatting Guests:
- Curator: Juan Xu
- Artist: Li Xinmo
- Artist: Jiang Zhenlei
- Curator : Julia Hardmann
Premiere Date: December 3, 2021
