Hysterical Paroxysms

Fri, Dec 2
6:00-9:00pm
Free

As far back as the ancient Greeks, hysteria was
defined as a "natural" irrationality reserved to the
fairer sex. Less than a century ago medical doctors
still believed that hysteria was related to the female
reproductive organs, and used hysterectomies to "calm"
women suffering from mental, emotional or
psychological problems.

Collected by The A/V Club ( a collective of SF-based
media artists), Hysterical Women is an installation of
100's of television and film clips. The clips, showing
in an awkward amassment of televisions, represent a
broad cross-cut of women as they are commonly
portrayed in worldwide media through the last century
- screaming, panicked and helpless.

For Hysterical Women, The A/V Club surveyed the
history of the moving image, collecting the
ever-recurring image of women screaming, an act
completely entrenched in the representation of women
in popular media. On film, the hysterical woman,
suffering from societal, religious or self-imposed
pressures, consistently and predictably loses control
over her emotions.

The opening reception on December 2nd will be followed by a special
Echo de Pensees presentation of live music and performance by Sixes
with Dave Ed, Skullcaster and Gerritt

Curated by The A/VClub

Venue:

PLAySPACE Gallery
1111 8th St
San Francisco



corner of 16th Street and Wisconsin

Additional Info: