For the organization Exhibits for Humanity, empowerment is key for an installation to succeed. In “Laughing Matters,” which has been displayed in the Los Angeles Nous Tous Gallery for the duration of July, the group takes on stand-up comedy as a place that really really still needs to sort out its misogynist inclinations.
Kazu Kusano
The exhibit showcases portraits of comedians, cis and trans, able-bodied and disabled, white and of color, who see their comedic messages as empowerment and are standing up against the sexism in what is deemed “mainstream” stand-up (white, cis, male). The comedians even got to “design an Internet troll” in the exhibit, visualizing those who usually remain anonymous through the means of the web.
Heather Hanford
From demeaning comments from audience members jeering about a woman’s appearance as she takes the stage, to the base stereotype that women “just aren’t funny,” women have a tough time being taken seriously in the comedy and entertainment industries. Check out the rest of the portraits displayed in “Laughing Matters” below and see how the “mainstream” comedian may be different than who you thought!
Julianne Simitz
Lauren Rantala
Madison Shepard
Megan Koester
Olivia Haidar
Riley Silverman
Tracie Walker
Aubrey Jacobowitz
Brandie Posey
Chelse Greaux
Chelsea Frank
Corlis DeLauren
Danielle Perez
Jen Saunderson
You can see more awesome stuff that Exhibits of Humanity is up to here.
Images courtesy of the photographer, Jenn Pablo.
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