Questions of identity: Photographic series by Alicia D’Amico, 1983–86

Abstract

Questions of identity. Some photographic series from Alicia D'Amico (1983-1986)Lugar de mujer (Woman`s place) was a pluralistic space which welcomed women from all political tendencies, feminists and non-feminists. Created in Buenos Aires during the recovery of democracy- August 1983- it hosted activities, workshops, art exhibitions, film showings and debates that had a major impact on the feminist art production in the city. At the same time, a two-way game developed, since feminist artists posed questions and debates in this place. As a consequence, a golden period for the development of Argentine feminist art took place.Within this context, I will analyse some unpublished photographic series by the photographer Alicia D´Amico (Buenos Aires, 1933-2001), who was a feminist activist of enormous relevance. From Lugar de mujer ( Woman`s place), D´Amico put forward questions on feminine identity, about which she carried out several workshops together with the psychoanalyst- and the photographer`s partner at the time-Liliana Mizrahi. The outcome of these activities was reflected in some photograph series where D´Amico shows a reconstruction of women`s ties after the last Argentine military dictatorship (1976-1983). Debates on feminine identity, sexuality and desire arise as well.I maintain that all these questions gave rise to the fact that women could make up a bond with their own bodies, showing the performative character of identity and searching for an interpretation that goes beyond gender stereotypes.