Reading response from:
Livingstone, J., Ploof, J. Eds. The Object of Labor: Art, Cloth, and Cultural Production. (2007)
Chosen chapter: Ada Lovelace and the Loom of Life, pages 256-266.
This chapter opens with bang. The authors chose to begin with a quick, (highly inflammatory) look at Sigmund Freud’s dismissive, misogynistic, and deeply hateful summation of femininity. This chapter states that Freud concluded: “women have made few contributions to the inventions and discoveries of the History of Civilization”. Freud basically dismissed all female contributions, except for the (grudging, insulting, demeaning, revolting ) acknowledgement of women’s contribution to weaving. Women, he “logically” sermonized, were probably able to invent this skill because of matted pubic hair –grown to cover up the lack of a penis. “The unconscious motive for this achievement (weaving) lies in women’s attempt to conceal their genitals and their own shame at the absence of a male member.” (pg. 255)
The reason why the chapter discusses this is to point out how Freud’s comments “epitomise society’s tenancy to marginalize both women and their work” (pg. 256).
The next part of the chapter succinctly outlines the many types of looms and weaving techniques that were developed over the millennia, starting around 5000 BC. Women were a key part of technological advances in this area. The authors also touch on the massive economic, cultural and creative impact of weaving and textile production.
This impressively concise, yet powerfully written chapter concludes with a look at Ada (Byron) Lovelace’s (and other countless womens’) contributions to weaving, mathematics and the development of the modern-day computer.
Key take-away points:
Throughout history, and to the present day, the contribution and impact of women’s work, inventiveness and creativity has long been over-looked, dismissed and supressed.
Women have been, and continue to be a huge force in the development of human civilization and technology; weaving and computers being two of many areas where women have been highly influential and innovative.
Critical analysis:
What are the historical, gender implications of textile production?
Historically, women have been viewed/marginalised as low-skilled labourers; beasts of burden; beings incapable of creative and innovative practice. Women were historically considered a lower species of human, but they were exploitable, submissive, and therefore useful. In modern times, I would argue that the poverty-stricken factory workers of the third world (often still women and children) have taken this place.
-The impact of culture(s):
Women have made massive, under-appreciated and generally hidden impacts in all areas of culture, politics, innovation and economics. They have shaped the society that they have been a part of, and in so, should share in the accolades of the great MEN of history.
By recognizing this, it must also be admitted, therefore, that women share in the burden of humankind’s relentless pursuit of wealth and technology (at the potentially fatal cost to the health of our planet).
-Consumer consumption of textiles: What are possible implications for current textile workers and how do we respond as consumers to the push towards ‘fast fashion’?
The current human desire for mass consumables, especially ‘fast fashion’ because of its current toxicity, is having a devastating impact upon our planet. The working environment for textile and other factory workers is inhumane and harmful.
It is well past time for humans to adopt sustainable, slower, less poisonous and wasteful methods of harvesting natural resources. Production methods must change.
I am part of this problem. I have ignorantly (and now knowingly) bought cheap, exploitative products, because they are “economical”. I have purchased higher-end status items because they are “fashionable”, “enviable” and “desirable”. I am part of this calamitous consumer cycle.
I have changed, slowly, over time, a few of my practices, but it is not nearly enough.
The following video is one I have viewed several times and it has helped me to reflect on my consumer habits: