Dara Birnbaum (1946-2025)
Briefly

Dara Birnbaum, a groundbreaking video and installation artist, passed away on May 2, at seventy-eight. Known for her innovative use of television footage in the 1970s, she created dynamic videos that tackled themes of feminism, consumerism, and media manipulation. Birnbaum recognized the influence of television as a key cultural medium and used its imagery to critique societal norms. Her upbringing in a male-dominated academic environment fueled her passion for challenging the status quo through art. Birnbaum's work has left an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary video art and feminist discourse.
"The urge for immediacy had a lot to do with being the first generation to grow up entirely on television. It was a weapon, and that is how I wanted to use it."
"My parents never [said], 'You could be president of the United States if you want to.' It was more, 'You have good handwriting; you could design envelopes..."
Read at Artforum
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