Screening and Conversation: The Female Closet by Barbara Hammer

Floor Three, Susan and John Hess Family Theater

The Female Closet (1998) is an experimental documentary by Barbara Hammer that explores the closeted and not-so-closeted lesbian histories of artists Alice Austen, Hannah Höch, and Nicole Eisenman. Utilizing groundbreaking research, newly discovered home movies, archival photographs, and other visual sources, this under-screened documentary provides a timely reminder of the importance of creating, archiving, and making accessible feminist artwork. After the screening, Tara Hart, Archives Manager at The Whitney, will facilitate a conversation between Hammer, The Lesbian Herstory Archive, and XFR Collective about the importance of archiving and making accessible queer histories.

This program coincides with a comprehensive exhibition at the Leslie Lohman Museum entitled Barbara Hammer: Evidentiary Bodies, that delves into the life’s work and resonating impact of lesbian feminist artist and filmmaker Barbara Hammer. On display from October 7, 2017–January 28, 2018, the exhibition features work from the past 50 years, including photographs, paintings, posters, films, videos, installations, drawings, writings, and more.

This event has reached ticketing capacity.

The main entrance of the Museum is accessible with elevator access to all floors. All gender restrooms are available on floors -1, 3, 5, and 8. Service animals welcome. The Hess Theater is equipped with an induction loop and infrared assistive listening system. Accessible seating is also available.

If you have questions about accessibility, or requests for accommodations, please email accessfeedback@whitney.org or call (212) 671 1823 (relay calls welcome).

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