Martha Rosler Reads Vogue

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© Generali Foundation Collection—Permanent Loan to the Museum der Moderne Salzburg, Repro: Werner Kaligofsky

Martha Rosler

Martha Rosler Reads Vogue, 1982

Video performance, color, sound, 30 min Performer: Martha Rosler Produced by: Paper Tiger Television, New York Assistance: Diana Agosta, Pennce Bendes, Shu-Lee Chang, Vicki Golson, Dee Dee Halleck, Esti Marpet, Mike Penland, David Shalan

GF0002013.00.0-1999

Artwork text

In a live performance for a public-access cable program, Rosler deconstructs texts and advertisements from Vogue. A note at the beginning of the video reads “Have you lost your mind?” This leads into a reading and slide-show, which Rosler comments on. “What is Vogue? The new you that you want to be.” At the same time, analyzed are the institutional background of the magazine industry and the connections between the fashion industry and exploitative businesses such as illegal sweatshops. (Sabine Breitwieser)