Dear Readers,

As we continue to celebrate the influential women of 2023, Part 3 of our series turns the spotlight on "Innovators in Arts and Culture." This segment honors the creative visionaries and trailblazing artists who have left an indelible mark in the world of arts and culture. From groundbreaking filmmakers and powerful musicians to visionary writers and revolutionary designers, these women have not only enriched our cultural landscape but also challenged and reshaped societal norms. Their art transcends mere aesthetics, becoming a medium for powerful expression and social change. Join us as we explore the lives and works of these remarkable women.

PART 3: Innovators in Arts and Culture

Marina Abramović has pushed the boundaries of body art to its extremes, even flirting with death. Her physical and mental endurance was showcased at the MoMA, where she sat immobile for hours on end, locking gazes with those who dared to meet her eye. She expresses surprise that her performance "Imponderabilia," created in 1977, still draws criticism for its boldness, forcing people to pass between a naked man and woman to enter a door. “Museums don’t exist without artists,” Marina explains. “So, entering a museum through the bodies of artists is very symbolic and philosophical.” A shaman of art and self-celebratory, she has reinterpreted Callas, divine with divine, icon with icon. She believes in the power of minerals. Her solo show at the Royal Academy in London concluded yesterday, January 1st. On March 16th her exhibition opens at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

As a child, Greta Gerwig was not allowed to play with Barbies at home due to their perceived promotion of sexist stereotypes. When she finally received one, she chose to dismantle it, a unique way of closely examining the icon that would later inspire her record-breaking film. Gerwig’s Barbie movie grossed over $1.4 billion at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 and setting a new record for a female director. Gerwig's true passion has always been cinema. An actress and screenwriter, often collaborating with her partner Noah Baumbach (with whom she co-wrote Barbie), Gerwig made her directorial debut with Lady Bird in 2017, followed by Little Women. The indie cinema outsider has now claimed her place in Hollywood. Long live the dolls.

Nan Goldin stands today as the most influential artist, topping Art Review's 2023 list of the world's hundred most significant personalities. Her choice is based not only on her work focused on counterculture, including her legendary autobiographical images and portrayals of marginalized and transgender individuals, but also for her sociopolitical activism. She is also actively involved with P.A.I.N., an organization she founded, which protests against multinational corporations for their role in the opioid epidemic that caused over 106,000 deaths in the USA in 2021 (with more women than men affected, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse), due to dependency and overdose from prescription painkillers. In October, along with other renowned artists, she signed a letter to break the institutional silence on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Warsan Shire's poetry, born from the experiences of a Somali poet raised in Kenya, a family fleeing civil war, resonates deeply with the realities of refugees and migrants. Her verses, widely shared on social media during spring, in the wake of Mediterranean tragedies, are poignant and powerful. “No one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.” These words elucidate the dire situations that drive people to flee their homes, challenging the notion of 'helping them in their own country' when that country is as perilous as a shark's mouth. Shire's poems, compiled in her latest volume “Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head”, are filled with haunting imagery, references to '90s music hits, and prose-like traits. Her unique blend of styles speaks to readers, influencing their emotions, dreams, and ultimately their perspectives.

Zadie Smith, of Jamaican descent, became a multicultural icon of cool Britannia with her breakthrough novel "White Teeth" in 2000. In 2023, with her latest work "The Fraud", she revisits the London of her youth and her debut novel's setting. However, this time, she moves away from the colorful street stalls and kebabs of the 1990s to the Victorian era, with its fields and aristocratic houses, focusing on rulers, false baronets, and struggling writers. Through this historical novel, Smith sheds the label that had been ascribed to her and confronts us with the injustice of slavery, which many exploited without taking any action against it. Just as with climate change today, Smith emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and acting against longstanding injustices. In 2023, Smith was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Everything Taylor Swift touches turns to gold. The 53 dates of her Eras Tour (heading to Europe in 2024) have significantly boosted the American economy, adding an additional $4.3 billion to the U.S. GDP. Her appeal spans across both young and older audiences, likely due to the sense of independence she embodies. In an interview with Time magazine, where she was named Person of the Year, Swift revealed her insightful views on women's conditions. She observed, “What fuels a patriarchal society? Money, flow of revenue, the economy. So actually, if we're going to look at this in the most cynical way possible, feminine ideas becoming lucrative means that more female art will get made. It's extremely heartening.” This statement reflects Swift’s understanding of the role of economic forces in shaping societal change, especially regarding women's representation in art and media.

Miuccia Prada is a designer whom even young international stylists cite as an example and inspiration. With her brand, she has focused on intellectual quality without losing sight of material excellence, embodying avant-garde fashion. Her Prada and Miu Miu collections are experiencing a golden era, flourishing both creatively and economically. The New York Times Magazine recognized her as one of the "Greats" of 2023, featuring her in a stunning black-and-white portrait and highlighting the Prada Foundation, one of the most influential art spaces in Milan. The newspaper noted, “The designer has reinvented the relationship between fashion and art and has forever transformed what the world considers beautiful.”

Sinead O'Connor was a voice in every sense. Her unique singing style, characterized by a frosty yet deeply emotive timbre, established her as a major pop star in the late '80s and '90s. The Irish singer-songwriter, who passed away this summer, made her voice heard beyond her albums and stages. She leveraged her fame to shed light on the issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, even tearing up a photo of the Pope on live TV to protest against the Vatican's silence. Her courageous stances led to a media boycott in the United States. Even her distinct appearance, characterized by a shaved head, was more than a fashion statement – it was a deliberate choice to break free from image-driven marketing. As powerful as her voice was, O'Connor herself was fragile, pursued by demons that made her career a challenging journey.

Shakira entered 2023 turning a personal betrayal into a financial triumph. On January 11th, she released 'Bzrp Music Sessions Vol. 53', a collaboration with Argentine DJ and producer Bizarrap. While the title of the track might be cryptic, its lyrics, detailing the end of her relationship with footballer Gerard Piqué, are strikingly clear. The song's music video garnered over 63 million views on YouTube within the first 24 hours of its release. For some, it was seen as mere revenge pop, but for many women, it served as an inspiration. Shakira's response to her personal struggles and her ability to transform them into a powerful message resonated with audiences worldwide, showcasing her resilience and the evolving role of women in society.

The daughter of cinematic legends Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman, Isabella Rossellini initially had no desire to become an actress, daunted by the formidable legacy of her parents. She began her career as a model, but eventually, her mother Ingrid's persuasion led her to embrace acting, both on screen and on stage. Currently, she is captivating audiences with her entertaining and witty show, 'Darwin’s Smile,' where she playfully portrays various animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, insects, and crustaceans. Isabella is a free spirit, skillfully blending her genuine artistic talents with her passion for nature and the environment at her organic farm on Long Island. Her approach to life and art is unique, never self-centered, always honoring her roots while keenly looking towards the future.

As the frontwoman of Gossip, Beth Ditto was ahead of her time. Identifying as "punk, queer, feminist, and body positive," she emerged as an icon of self-acceptance, challenging pop culture narratives and breaking stereotypes over 15 years ago. Now, with her band making a comeback after a decade-long hiatus, the themes she championed are more widely discussed and recognized. Ditto continues her fight, advocating for greater acceptance and breaking conventional norms of beauty, inspiring a new generation to embrace their true selves and expand their visions of what is possible.

Best known for her role as the beloved TV nanny with a distinctive nasal voice, Fran Drescher has transitioned from sitcom stardom to a significant leadership role. Audiences around the world, who enjoyed her performance in "The Nanny" from the mid-90s to the early 2000s, witnessed a new facet of her capabilities when she took to the forefront of a critical movement in Hollywood. Standing unscripted and unadorned before the gates of Hollywood Studios accused of underpaying thousands of actors, Drescher became a voice for change. Under her guidance, 2023 saw Hollywood's longest protest, culminating on December 5th with a landmark agreement that secured pay raises, bonuses, and set regulations for streaming platforms. This transformative leadership move showcases Drescher's versatility and strength far beyond her on-screen persona.

As we conclude Part 3 of "Celebrating the Influential Women of 2023," we have witnessed the extraordinary impact of women in arts and culture. Each story we've shared illuminates the profound ways these women have influenced our world, blending creativity with activism, and weaving narratives that resonate across borders. Their work not only entertains but also inspires, educates, and empowers.

Which of these artistic innovators has had the most profound impact on you, and how has their work influenced your perspective on art and culture? Share your reflections in the comments below and help spread the inspiration by sharing their stories on social media.

Stay tuned for Part 4, where we will delve into the world of social change and human rights, uncovering the heroic efforts of women who are shaping a more equitable and just society.

S.A. Sterling

Source: Le Donne del 2023 secondo il Corriere della Sera, La Ventisettesima Ora, Corriere della Sera, December 2023, https://www.corriere.it/cronache/donne-anno-2023/index.shtml