Mari Chordà: ...i moltes altres coses (...and many other things)

A Deeply Personal Encounter with Mari Chordà’s Work at MACBA

Visiting the Mari Chordà exhibition at the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) was an experience that transcended the usual boundaries of an art exhibition. It was a powerful immersion into the life and work of a woman whose art and activism have shaped the feminist movement in profound ways. The exhibition, titled Mari Chordà... And Many Other Things, is one of the most anticipated shows of the summer season, attracting art lovers and feminists alike to Barcelona. Curated by Teresa Grandas and co-produced by MACBA and the NAM of Tarragona, this retrospective offers an expansive view of Chordà’s career, capturing the political and poetic essence of her work.

The Influence of Feminist Movements on Chordà's Art

The exhibition also highlighted Chordà's involvement in feminist movements, particularly during the 1970s. This was a time when the personal became irrevocably political for her. As clandestine feminist meetings began, Chordà questioned the direction of her artistic production, turning instead to feminist poetry. During the First Catalan Women’s Days at the University of Barcelona in 1976, Chordà published and anonymously distributed a pamphlet of poetry and prints titled ...i moltes altres coses (...and many other things). The decision to leave the pamphlet unsigned was a deliberate choice to present these works as a collective voice, representing all women rather than just her own.

LaSal: A Feminist Bar-Library

One of the most poignant moments for me was learning about Chordà’s establishment of LaSal in 1977, a feminist bar-library in Barcelona that became a legendary hub for feminist discourse. "We wanted to generate spoken word, music, and above all, pleasure," Chordà once said, emphasizing the subversive power of pleasure as a form of resistance. LaSal, along with its associated publishing house, provided vital platforms for feminist political and cultural activism during a time when such spaces were desperately needed.

She also established the cultural-political space Llar in her hometown of Amposta, further cementing her role as a key figure in the intersection of art and activism.

Poetry and Political Engagement

Stepping into the gallery, I was immediately struck by the emotional intensity of Chordà’s Poem...

Cançó de bressol per espavilar una nena

Ull a la corda,
corda, corda.
Esquiva la tralla,
fuet, fuet.
Mira a la dreta,
a l’esquerra,
al davant i al darrera.
Amaga’t, salta,
corre, vola.
Apren karate,
mecànica, dansa.
No vagues a competir,
triomfar, triomfar.
Porta, però, el cap alt,
amunt, avall.
No tingues por
de tenir por de pors.
Viu amb els cinc sentits,
i els set, i els vint.
Entrena’t a obrir i tancar,
a entrar i sortir.
No dones per costum,
patim, patum.
Ni acceptes perquè toca,
toca, toca.
Demana per parir
dignitat, potestat.

Que el teu cos
sempre és teu, d’altres
només si vols,
Lo teu cap també és teu,
nomes teu, només teu.

Malgrat tal panorama,
no et quedes sempre
dintre de la closca,
crosta, crosta.

desembre, 75 Barcelona

Mari Chordà ... i moltes altres coses (2006)

Lullaby to Make a Girl Awake

Keep an eye on the rope,
Rope, rope.
Dodge the whip,
Whip, whip.
Look to the right,
To the left,
Ahead and behind.
Hide, jump,
Run, fly.
Learn karate,
Mechanics, dance.
Don’t go to compete,
Triumph, triumph.
But carry your head high,
Up, down.
Don’t be afraid
Of being afraid of fears.
Live with all five senses,
And the seven, and the twenty.
Train yourself to open and close,
To enter and exit.
Don’t give by habit,
Patim, patum.
Nor accept because it’s required,
Required, required.
Demand for giving birth
Dignity, authority.

That your body
Always be yours, of others
Only if you want,
Your head is yours too,
Only yours, only yours.

Despite such a panorama,
Don’t always stay
Inside the shell,
Crust, crust.

December, 75, Barcelona

Mari Chordà... and many other things (2006)

and then get into Chordà’s art. The vibrant colors, the bold depictions of the female body, and the palpable sense of defiance that pervades her work all left a profound impact on me. It was as if the walls of the gallery were alive with the energy of her struggle, her passion, and her unwavering commitment to feminist ideals.

Iconic Works: Líquidos, Lágrimas, and Coitus Pop

As I walked through the exhibition, I was particularly captivated by Chordà’s works from her Parisian period, such as Líquidos (1966) and Lágrimas (1968).

These pieces vividly reflect the dynamic influence of the artistic movements that were flourishing in Paris at the time, particularly Nouveau Réalisme and Pop Art. The vibrant, almost electric colors and the fluid, organic forms in these works are emblematic of Chordà's innovative approach during this period of intense artistic exploration.

Líquidos and Lágrimas are not merely visual experiences; they are profound expressions of the emotional and psychological landscapes Chordà navigated as she absorbed and reinterpreted these contemporary styles. The bold use of color and the fluidity of form suggest a deliberate departure from rigid structures, echoing the liberation and experimentation that characterized both her personal and artistic journey in Paris.

The iconic painting Coitus Pop (1967), also featured in the exhibition, stands as a powerful political statement about female sexuality and pleasure. Created shortly after the birth of her child, this work reflects Chordà's bold exploration of the female body and its desires, asserting the right of women to experience and express sexual pleasure without shame or repression.

Exploring Female Anatomy: Vulva, La Gran Vagina, and Secrecions

A striking and symbolic piece that explores themes of femininity, sexuality, and the female body is Vulva. The artwork, created in 1968, is a bold representation of the vulva, rendered in vibrant shades of purple, pink, and black. The painting is significant in its celebration of female anatomy, reclaiming it as a powerful symbol rather than an object of taboo. Chordà's work is often associated with feminist movements and is seen as a critique of the traditional male gaze in art. The use of soft, flowing forms and contrasting colors emphasizes the organic nature of the subject, making it both abstract and deeply personal.

This painting is a notable example of how Chordà contributed to the feminist discourse through art, challenging societal norms and promoting a positive representation of women's bodies.

La Gran Vagina (The Great Vagina) (1966) is a powerful and unapologetic exploration of female anatomy, rendered in bold, vibrant colors. Using enamel and oil paint on canvas, Chordà creates an abstract, yet unmistakable, depiction of the vagina, framed by swirling, organic forms. The red, yellow, brown, and green hues evoke a sense of life and vitality, challenging traditional representations of the female body. This work, created during a time when such subjects were rarely addressed openly, embodies Chordà's commitment to feminist ideals, asserting the beauty and strength of the female form.

The Great Vagina is both a celebration of womanhood and a statement of defiance against the taboos surrounding female sexuality in art and society.

Another profound work is Secrecions, which is a vivid exploration of organic forms and fluidity, rendered in striking colors that evoke the inner workings of the body. The composition, dominated by flowing shapes in shades of orange, teal, purple, and white, suggests a biological process, possibly hinting at the intimate and often hidden aspects of female experience. The abstract nature of the piece invites various interpretations, yet it remains deeply connected to Chordà's feminist perspective, emphasizing the natural and often overlooked aspects of femininity.

Secrecions stands as a testament to Chordà's innovative approach to depicting the female body, blending the biological with the artistic in a way that challenges traditional boundaries and celebrates the complexity of womanhood.

Multimedia Installations and the Return to Visual Arts

Despite her deep involvement in poetry during the 1970s and 1980s, Chordà eventually returned to the visual arts in 1991, continuing to explore themes of fertility, the female body, and the intersection of art and politics. Her later works, including multimedia installations like Úter/ou (Utero/egg, 2017), reflect a continued engagement with the concept of female fertility, a theme that has remained central to her work throughout her career.

The Ongoing Legacy of Mari Chordà

The MACBA exhibition is more than just a retrospective; it is a celebration of Mari Chordà’s enduring legacy as an artist and activist. The sensorial and immediate nature of her work, particularly her use of color and form, resonated deeply with me. Her abstract pieces, which often evoke the female body and its organs, convey a powerful message about the need for pleasure as a tool for understanding the world and as a form of resistance against the subjugation of women. This sensory dimension of her work, combined with her deep commitment to feminist ideals, makes Chordà’s art not only visually striking but also profoundly impactful on a political and emotional level.

As Mari Chordà celebrates her eightieth birthday, the recognition she has long deserved is finally coming to fruition. Her works, which are now part of prestigious collections such as those of the Museo Nacional Reina Sofía in Madrid and the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, are gaining renewed attention in the contemporary art world. Her contributions to feminist art have been extensively studied, and she was notably included in the acclaimed exhibition **"The World Goes Pop"** at the Tate Modern in London in 2015.

Reflecting on my visit to the MACBA exhibition, I was struck by how Chordà’s art continues to challenge and inspire. Her exploration of the female body, her engagement with feminist politics, and her commitment to creating spaces for women’s voices have left an indelible mark on both the art world and the feminist movement. The exhibition not only provided a deep dive into her artistic career but also offered a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

In celebrating Mari Chordà, was honored not just a remarkable artist and activist, but also the values of solidarity, resistance, and collective action that she has championed throughout her life. Her story, so vividly brought to life in the MACBA exhibition, is a testament to the power of art to effect social change. As I left the museum, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the role that artists like Chordà play in shaping our world. Her legacy serves as both an inspiration and a call to action, reminding us that the fight for equality is far from over, and that the collective struggle she so passionately advocated for remains as vital today as ever.

Other Exhibition Chordà's Art Works

Mari Chorda - Pregnant self-portrait

Joguet per a l’Àngela

Cap humà