Semiotics of the Kitchen

Martha Rosler, Semiotics of the Kitchen, 1975, single-channel video, black and white, sound; 06:09 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.7, © 1975, Martha Rosler. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY

Artwork Details

Title
Semiotics of the Kitchen
Artist
Date
1975
Location
Copyright
© 1975, Martha Rosler. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company
Mediums
Mediums Description
single-channel video, black and white, sound; 06:09 minutes
Classifications
Highlights
Subjects
  • Occupation — domestic — cooking
  • Architecture Interior — domestic — kitchen
  • Object — other — cookware
Object Number
2008.21.7
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2008.21.7

Artwork Description

In unsmiling deadpan, Martha Rosler parodies the role of the perfect TV housewife and cook. Running through an alphabet of kitchen utensils, she demonstrates each for the camera. Her gestures of hacking and stabbing are at times unnerving--thinly veiled expressions of frustration and rage. Rosler has said of this performance, "As the woman speaks, she names her own oppression."

A conceptual artist who has worked in many different mediums, including video, photography, and performance, Rosler made numerous pieces in the 1970s examining media representations of women's roles.

Works by this artist (21 items)

View all artworks
Martha Rosler, Semiotics of the Kitchen, 1975, single-channel video, black and white, sound; 06:09 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.7, © 1975, Martha Rosler. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Semiotics of the Kitchen
Artist
Date1975
single-channel video, black and white, sound; 06:09 minutes
On view
Martha Rosler, Balloons, from the series House Beautiful: Bringing the War Home, ca. 1967-1972, printed 2018, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Norbert Hornstein and Amy Weinberg and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2021.7.1, Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York © Martha Rosler
Balloons, from the series House Beautiful: Bringing the War…
Artist
Dateca. 1967-1972, printed 2018
inkjet print
Not on view
Martha Rosler, Booby Trap, from the series House Beautiful: Bringing the War Home, ca. 1967-1972, printed 2018, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Norbert Hornstein and Amy Weinberg and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2021.7.9, Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York © Martha Rosler
Booby Trap, from the series House Beautiful: Bringing the…
Artist
Dateca. 1967-1972, printed 2018
inkjet print
Not on view
Martha Rosler, Make-up/ Hands-up, from the series House Beautiful: Bringing the War Home, ca. 1967-1972, printed 2018, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Norbert Hornstein and Amy Weinberg and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2021.7.10, Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York © Martha Rosler
Make-up/ Hands-up, from the series House Beautiful:…
Artist
Dateca. 1967-1972, printed 2018
inkjet print
Not on view

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Artist
Date1992
single-channel video, color sound; 05:58 minutes
Not on view
Charlemagne Palestine, Running Outburst, 1975, 5:56 minutes, black & white, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.6, © 1975, Charlemagne Palestine. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Running Outburst
Artist
Date1975
5:56 minutes, black & white, sound
Not on view
Bill Viola, Silent Life from The Reflecting Pool- Collected Work 1977-80, 1979, 13:14 minutes, color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.16.3, © 1979 Bill Viola. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Silent Life from The Reflecting Pool- Collected Work 1977 – 80
Artist
Date1979
13:14 minutes, color, sound
Not on view
Woody Vasulka, Explanation from Selected Works, 1974, 11:45 minutes, color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.14.4, © 1974 Woody Vasulka. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Explanation from Selected Works
Artist
Date1974
11:45 minutes, color, sound
Not on view