By Annette Mangaard
Photographer Suzy Lake is one of the formative feminist artists to evolve out of the heyday of the 1960's and the Second Wave. A master of the art of self-portraiture, Lake influenced Cindy Sherman as well as a host of other female artists. Lake makes art that address politics, gender, youth, beauty and aging while reflecting on her own journey through time. SUZY LAKE: PLAYING WITH TIME tells the story of how much has changed in the worlds of feminism and art, and yet how much things remain the same.
Filming for almost 4 years, filmmaker Annette Mangaard weaves a powerful portrait of the complex artist by juxtaposing powerful archival footage, still photography and interviews with Lucy Lippard, Mary Beth Edelson and Martha Wilson among others. SUZY LAKE: PLAYING WITH TIME delves into Lake's legacy as she continues to explore the politics of gender with work that deals with the aging woman, countering notions of consumer beauty with a different and real image, celebrating stamina, maturity and experience. An essential companion piece to any discussion on the Second Wave, feminism and art.
Reviews
~ "A moving portrait of the artist as a speaking subject. Lake speaks directly to the messy negotiation of identity in a culture obsessed with narrow definitions of beauty." - Georgiana Uhlyarik, Associate Curator, Art Gallery of Ontario
~ "Mangaard's luminous new documentary on the life and career of Suzy Lake plays like a cross between a well-scripted, jam-packed biography program and a dreamy, experimental film." - R.M. Vaughn, Canada Art
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