From: Pamela Kember

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Department of Architecture

Chinese University

Hong Kong

Re- The Feminine as Interior Space from Alciati's Emblem(196) - Venus and

the Tortoise. (English version)

My paper will examine how the philosophical concept of woman as home relates

to the history of Athenian sculptor Phidius' depiction of Venus with her

foot on a tortoise as used in the above emblem. Plutarch's words

incorporated into the motto, suggest that a woman should be known, not for

her beauty, but for her ability to remain silent/mute, and like the

tortoise, retreat into her shell. The philosophical writings of Bachelard,

Thomas Aquinas, and Kiergaggard have all used such a device to render the

feminine as interior space - either as possession, (accoutrements- lock and

key) shut-up-ness, or enclosure/dwelling . My presentation will show

various European interpretations of Alciati's emblem as it relates to women

in society from the 17th century to reinforce this notion. The image and

text can also be applied to the pictorial work of Le Corbusier, and New York

based French sculptor Louise Bourgeois architectural motif of the

body/house.

This will be an expanded paper from a lecture at the Museum of Modern Art,

Oxford, 1994, "The home of Dreams all all Delirious wanderings in Louise

Bourgeois'e woman/house.

Pamela Kember.