On the Edge is BookHampton’s newest series, and on Thursday, August 4th we really got a bit edgy.
Our two guests were psychologist Joyce McFadden and photographer Bastienne Schmidt. McFadden’s new book, Your Daughter's Bedroom: Insights for Raising Confident Women (Palgrave Macmillan), takes a look at how women talk (or don't talk) to their daughters about sex. Schmidt’s fascinating fem-centric study, Home Stills, has become a BookHampton best-seller.
A full house listened as the two women compared the creative experience to personal revelation. Schmidt, whose new work uses her self as a character who is always facing away from the camera, spoke about her representation of “everywoman” while McFadden countered with the need for every woman to reveal herself.
McFadden's book, based on a multi-year survey of women's attitudes, has offered an opportunity for frank conversations. And by way of in-store experimenting, we asked how many present had learned about sex from their own mothers, and how many (more) present had had open discussions with their own children. The show-of-hands was very revealing. The consensus was in keeping with McFadden's premise: how we talk to our daughters on issues of female sexuality appears to set the foundation for a future healthy sexual image.
In bringing that level of communication to the wordless photo-essay, Schmidt, whose work appears in many major American and European collections, also spoke about how women in her art see themselves in the context of day to day life: what they reveal, what they observe, and what she has chosen to share.
The evening, both fascinating and original, offered more than a few challenging questions, and much opportunity for self-reflection.
This coming Thursday, August 18, On The Edge will present musician Rufus Wainwright speaking about opera. Visit the BookHampton Events Calendar for more information.
— Charline Spektor
McFadden's book, based on a multi-year survey of women's attitudes, has offered an opportunity for frank conversations. And by way of in-store experimenting, we asked how many present had learned about sex from their own mothers, and how many (more) present had had open discussions with their own children. The show-of-hands was very revealing. The consensus was in keeping with McFadden's premise: how we talk to our daughters on issues of female sexuality appears to set the foundation for a future healthy sexual image.
In bringing that level of communication to the wordless photo-essay, Schmidt, whose work appears in many major American and European collections, also spoke about how women in her art see themselves in the context of day to day life: what they reveal, what they observe, and what she has chosen to share.
The evening, both fascinating and original, offered more than a few challenging questions, and much opportunity for self-reflection.
This coming Thursday, August 18, On The Edge will present musician Rufus Wainwright speaking about opera. Visit the BookHampton Events Calendar for more information.
— Charline Spektor
Order any book mentioned above by selecting its title or by visiting bookhampton.com.
