A few weeks ago, my partner and I took a trip to Denver and were able to visit the Denver Art Museum.  We had a fantastic time, and were exhausted after spending four hours on our feet examining the art.  Of the art that we saw, the pieces that have stuck with me most were the lipstick sculptures created by artist Rachel Lachowicz.

One Month Late

One Month Late is a sculpture of red lipstick and wax, displaying a single woman in a man’s world.  A single pair of high heels is surrounded by hanging business ties.  Upon closer inspection, a bent wire clothes hanger is suspended above the shoes – a symbol of a do-it-yourself abortion.  To me, the piece represents the burdens and sacrifices that women carry alone in a world where women are considered “equal” to the men around them.  The trials women experience, from the discomfort of a pair of sexy business heels to the anquish of carrying the responsibility of reproduction, are separate from the experiences of men.

Untitled (lipstick urinals)

The second piece by Lachowicz at the DAM was an untitled lipstick sculpture of urinals.  Are the masculine objects sculpted in feminine material ironic?  Political?  Silly?  What does this piece say about the status of men and women?  I don’t have the answers, and don’t even have organized thoughts about the piece, but found both works to be intriguing and worth sharing.  What are your reactions?