This tour looks at works of art that explore issues of gender and gender identity. Participants learn that many contemporary artists explore these issues in their work, and in a variety of ways. This activity could be used in the Walker Art Center galleries, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, or in the classroom with a selection of images from Art Collector. The artworks included in the activity are suggestions only and instructors may choose different artworks to accompany the discussion questions. This activity is from the Living in Our Time section of the Tour Guide Tool Kit.

Living in Our Time Activity Title: Gender and Identity   Theme: Who Am I?   Age: Grades 9–Adult   Overview: This tour looks at works of art that explore issues of gender and gender identity. Participants learn that many contemporary artists explore these issues in their work, and in a variety of ways. This activity could be used in the Walker Art Center galleries, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, or in the classroom with a selection of images from Art Collector. The artworks included in the activity are suggestions only and instructors may choose different artworks to accompany the discussion questions.   Procedure: Setting the Scene What does the term “gender identity” mean? Are there any issues surrounding the term “gender identity” that you have seen in the media or talked about in school lately? What were they? What kinds of issues around gender do you think artists might be exploring today? This tour will look at work by modern and contemporary artists who explore gender issues. As you will see, that can mean a variety of ideas, concepts, styles, methods, materials, and subjects. As we look at each work of art, however, I’d like you to think about gender.   Begin Looking The tour should include a variety of artworks that deal with portrayals of men or women, and works that explore issues relating to gender and gender identity. Include information about the emergence of Feminist Art during the 1970s.   Ask What are some words you might use to describe this image of a woman/man? How do you think this image reflects the artist’s feelings or intentions? Which of the issues that we talked about at the start of the tour seem to be reflected in this work? What do you see that makes you say that? How do you think the artist feels about his or her subject?   Conclusion Contemporary artists address many issues in their work, including gender.  Why do you think artists might be interested in exploring this topic? Which work that we have seen seems to address this topic in the most obvious way? How about the most subtle way? Where are some other places in society that we see people struggling with gender issues?     Props: None   Tips: Some possible works to include:   Yoko Ono Cut Piece 1965 Robert Gober Newspaper 1992 Lee Bontecou Untitled No. 38 1961 Works by Sherrie Levine or Cindy Sherman This could be part of a tour on the concept of identity. Combine with the activity A Foot in Two Cultures and include and discuss works that deal with issues of race, such as those by Kara Walker and David Hammons.