This week’s artist is Edith Meusnier.  Some have classified her as an environmental, textile or fiber artist.  These three categories have predominately woman in them.  Why?  First, let’s define the categories.   Environmental art is artistic works that are intended to enhance or become part of the environment or make a statement on environmental issues. Textile arts are arts and crafts that use plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to construct practical or decorative objects. Fiber art refers to fine art whose material consists of natural or synthetic fiber and other components. It focuses on the materials and on the manual labor on the part of the artist as part of the works’ significance and prioritizes aesthetic value over utility.

It is curious to categorize her in just the above, for she is ultimately a sculptor. Sculpture is the art of carving, modeling, welding, or otherwise producing figurative or abstract works of art in three dimensions, as in relief, intaglio, or in the round.  (Sculpture’s original definition has the materials being carved or molded but that has expanded as the materials we use have too).  Creating and using the first three categories is one way that bias can happen especially for women artist.

If you compare her work to Andy Goldsworthy (named as a sculptor, photographer and environmentalist) they are similar.  He uses outdoor space to create temporary installations that highlight the environment, so does Edith.   They only difference is that she uses gift ribbon, and he uses objects from the environment.

Or we can compare her to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, they are considered artists that make environmental art.  (Note:  Christo as a solo artist is named a sculptor. Christo also took sole recognition for all the art until 1994 then retroactively renamed it with Jean Claude’s name.  And now the team is considered environmental artists.)  They use a variety of fabrics to make their pieces.  So environmental art doesn’t have to use only pieces from the environment nor make an environmental statement.  Nor if you use fabric are you only a  textile or fabric artist.

Ultimately is the art community putting women, who use out of the ordinary (wood, metal or stone) materials to build 3- dimension pieces, outside the high art form of sculpture because of the material she uses,  are women  allowing themselves to be sub-labeled instead of taking on the broader term, or is it simply because women aren’t the right gender to be seen and named a sculptor?

P.S.  Remember signs with an * it a big week for you.

Aries

*Lovers – The Lovers show up to remind you about one of the most important pieces of being human – connection.  How you connect and who you connect with this week becomes very important to figuring out what direction to take in the coming months.  A simple example is choosing wisely about who you talk with and what you talk about at the water cooler, for the relationship there create your work environment.  A complex example is taking that idea home with who you choosing as your partner.  If it is not a supportive relationship, why are you in it?  And if it is supportive – reward it.

Taurus

Ace of Cups – Love is in the air.  The Ace of Cups wants you to open your arms, ears, and heart to people around you.  This is a great week to make new connections and deepen relationships you already have.  Take time this week to share your heart.

Gemini

King of Coins – The King of Coins comes when you need to look at how you make you money.  Is it satisfying?   Do you feel supported?  Are you making enough to make ends meet?  Then in answering these questions you will either be celebrating and imbuing in your accomplishments or begin making to-do lists that will create “yes” answers.

Cancer

Queen of Cups – The Queen of Cups challenges your life – wanting it to flow freer.  This week celebrating the joys both big and small.  Have some fun, hang with friends, have a beverage for the joy of it – think root-beer floats or champagne. Being in water will help remind you of your joys if you are stuck.

Leo

King of Cups – The King of Cups ask you to get in touch with your emotions this week, especially when they deal with your environment.  Your emotions ae clues how to handle situations.  For example, if you thrilled to talk to someone then do so, if you are not then don’t feel obligated.  The challenge is not to go inward with your emotions but interact outward.

Virgo

Eight of Cups – Time for some house-cleaning this week.  Not only should you be doing in your environment but also in the internal dialogue and emotional swings you have.  Take “items” out of the closet/dark, dust them off, see if you still need them and if not toss it.   Your only challenge is this may not until the weekend, but don’t forget to do it.

Libra

*Hierophant – This is a great week to work with structures and systems.   The Hierophant challenges you to create structures for yourself to find ways to work smoothly within in your control and to learn from structures you have no control over (like education, government etc..).  This can look as simple as going over your schedule and to-do list to shift and reprioritize.  Or as complex as, you are having a sit down with a boss or co-worker and come up with a new plan that can work for the betterment of all.  Also, for lifelong learners this means going back for a course, class or book you know will help you obtain your goals.

Scorpio

*Fool – Last week, the Empress wanted you to reconnect with the person who was the most motherly to you and then cultivate those “motherly” qualities in yourself. Now the Fool shows up and has two challenges for you this week:  1) Don’t take that task too seriously.  Don’t forgot not only do good mothers nurture, but they also play.   2)  Take the “motherly” you on the road.   This can look as simple as visiting a friend for a drink and vent session or taking your child to a skate park and you both skate(board).

Sagittarius

Nine of Pentacles – The Nine of Pentacles declares this is a great week for getting your work done and enjoying it. This card helps you hone your flow, but to get the most out of it you should hole yourself up.  It is not that you can’t work with others, you should just be very choosy when you do so.

Capricorn

Three of Pentacles – Second three in a row so let’s look at the number three for a second.  Threes have us ground ourselves in the present but with our sights towards the future.  Last week the Three of Swords ask you to be honest with your emotional thinking.  And this week the Three of Pentacles have you working within the material plane.  So, questions like, where am I will drive a stake into the present for grounding and questions like where I am going with my work need to be pondered and sketched out towards the future.  This card also reminds you for this week that working with others cuts your work load and increases output.

Aquarius

Queen of Coins – Last week, the Tower card came to remind you to that something needs to be fixed that you have been putting off.  The Queen of Coins continues this theme of mending and fixing.  So, if you didn’t do it last week get it done.  However, she also challenges you, once it is finished, finding time to sit back and enjoy some delights from the material plane.

Pisces

Ace of Wands – This is your last card of your birth month and what a great one.  The Ace of Wands is the card of beginnings that light your passion. Remember your main birth year card is the Devil (click here for a refresher) And the King and Nine of Swords are going to challenge you to get out of your head to take these “exams.”  And now the Ace of Wands is the candle on your cake.  This card is foretelling that while you are passing your tests, you are simultaneously creating a new future that is more passionate and creative.  This week start planting the seeds in your mind of what you want to grow as you graduate into the new you.

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nina