VENUS
Saartjie Baartman (1790 - 1815) was the most famous of at least two Khoikhoi women who were exhibited as freak show attractions in 19th-century Europe under the name Hottentot Venus.
The presence of Venus in the era of slavery was a persistent symbol, and it's still iconic for generations of black women. The play places human paradoxes of love and loathing, attracting and revulsion, pleasure and denial in the historical context of racism, sexism, exploitation, voyeurism and colonialism. In the Spring of 2015, Milone proposes a reading group to analyze the content of the play 'Venus' by Suzan Lori Parks. This will culminate in a full length theatrical reading of the play towards the Fall of this year. |