News links are listed in reverse chronological order. Scroll down to view all.
Video 2012, Momenta Art, Brooklyn
March 23—April 1, '12
with a panel discussion: Janet Biggs, Jayson Musson,
Amber Hawk Swanson, and Leslie Thornton
moderated by Ed Winkleman, April 1
March 23—April 1, '12
with a panel discussion: Janet Biggs, Jayson Musson,
Amber Hawk Swanson, and Leslie Thornton
moderated by Ed Winkleman, April 1
Narrative Ability
Camel Art Space, Brooklyn
January 6—29, '12
with an opening reception on Friday, January 6, 6–9pm
Camel Art Space, Brooklyn
January 6—29, '12
with an opening reception on Friday, January 6, 6–9pm
She Got Game
Arlington Arts Center, Virginia
(including solo performance on February 11, '12
from noon-3pm in conjunction with group show, 01/13—03/18/12).
Arlington Arts Center, Virginia
(including solo performance on February 11, '12
from noon-3pm in conjunction with group show, 01/13—03/18/12).
Amber Doll > TILIKUM
Solo Performance
December 11—17, '11
beginning at approximately 11am CST each day
in Hawk Swanson's BOLT Residency Studio.
(This performance is closed to the public but will be live-streamed on AHS's UStream Channel).
***THE FINALE will be livestreamed: TUESDAY (December 20) at 7pm cst. See Tilikum come to life! (I'll be painting him + creating his teeth by dremeling them out of Amber Doll's skull): LIVESTREAM***
Solo Performance
December 11—17, '11
beginning at approximately 11am CST each day
in Hawk Swanson's BOLT Residency Studio.
(This performance is closed to the public but will be live-streamed on AHS's UStream Channel).
***THE FINALE will be livestreamed: TUESDAY (December 20) at 7pm cst. See Tilikum come to life! (I'll be painting him + creating his teeth by dremeling them out of Amber Doll's skull): LIVESTREAM***
Online Comments (August 2007 - August 2011):
A Live Solo Performance that responds to early
press for Hawk Swanson's Amber Doll Project (2008)
featuring the artist reading every anonymous online
comment still online as of August 2011. Misspellings,
typos, grammatical errors, duplications etc. will be
retained from the originals.
BOLT Project Space
11/01/11, 6-8:30p
A Live Solo Performance that responds to early
press for Hawk Swanson's Amber Doll Project (2008)
featuring the artist reading every anonymous online
comment still online as of August 2011. Misspellings,
typos, grammatical errors, duplications etc. will be
retained from the originals.
BOLT Project Space
11/01/11, 6-8:30p
Artist in Residence
Byrdcliffe Artist in Residence Program
Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, NY
07/27—08/22/11
(including an open studio event, 08/20/11, 6-7:30pm)
Byrdcliffe Artist in Residence Program
Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, NY
07/27—08/22/11
(including an open studio event, 08/20/11, 6-7:30pm)
Artist in Residence
Year-long residency at Bolt
West Loop, Chicago
06/15/11—06/15/12
(including a group show of residents 08/18—09/23/11 and a
corresponding solo exhibition 07/06—27/12 in the BOLT Gallery)
Year-long residency at Bolt
West Loop, Chicago
06/15/11—06/15/12
(including a group show of residents 08/18—09/23/11 and a
corresponding solo exhibition 07/06—27/12 in the BOLT Gallery)
Artist in Residence
Year-long Residency for NYC Arts Workers
Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (EFA), New York City
(including a culminating retreat in Hudson, NY 07/15—18/11
and Artist Talks 08/10/11 at the EFA Project Space 6:30-8:30pm)
Year-long Residency for NYC Arts Workers
Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (EFA), New York City
(including a culminating retreat in Hudson, NY 07/15—18/11
and Artist Talks 08/10/11 at the EFA Project Space 6:30-8:30pm)
Keynote Address
(Dis)embodied Feminisms: New Perspectives on Gender,
Sexuality and Identity Conference
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
05/13/11
(Dis)embodied Feminisms: New Perspectives on Gender,
Sexuality and Identity Conference
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
05/13/11
Living Dualities: Artists as Workers
Panel Appointment
For the Artist of the 21st Century series
hosted by CUE Art Foundation and the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, NYC
Panel Appointment
For the Artist of the 21st Century series
hosted by CUE Art Foundation and the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, NYC
CUE Art Foundation
Artist Talk in conjunction with Making Five Minutes Last lecture, NYC
Artist Talk in conjunction with Making Five Minutes Last lecture, NYC
‘Beyond Fake’: Real Dolls™ and the Posthuman Troubling of Femininity and Desire
by Jennifer Dawn Whitney
Cardiff University
by Jennifer Dawn Whitney
Cardiff University
Mistresses and Dolls: New Performance Art
Artist Talk and Panel Appointment
Performing Feminism(s): Gender and Sexuality on Display Conference
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Artist Talk and Panel Appointment
Performing Feminism(s): Gender and Sexuality on Display Conference
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
“Defining Women: Group show one element in a broader cultural discussion about gender”
by Alex Ebstein
Balitmore City Paper
02/17/10
by Alex Ebstein
Balitmore City Paper
02/17/10
Losing Yourself in the 21st Century
Maryland Art Place, Baltimore
(traveling exhibition that began at Welch School Gallery, Georgia State University, Atlanta, 2009)
02/04/10 – 03/27/10
Maryland Art Place, Baltimore
(traveling exhibition that began at Welch School Gallery, Georgia State University, Atlanta, 2009)
02/04/10 – 03/27/10
Hunter College MFA Visiting Artist Series, NYC
(two lectures, one in Studio Arts Department and another in Film & Media Department)
(two lectures, one in Studio Arts Department and another in Film & Media Department)
Peer2Peer / Cheek2Cheek
Cherry Blast
Washington, DC
(traveling program that also screened at DC Digital Capital Week: 10 days of Creative Technology Events)
Cherry Blast
Washington, DC
(traveling program that also screened at DC Digital Capital Week: 10 days of Creative Technology Events)
“The Art of Losing Yourself in the 21st Century"
Naomi Gassel
Radar Redux: Baltimore Arts and Culture
02/22/10
Naomi Gassel
Radar Redux: Baltimore Arts and Culture
02/22/10
Cheat Codes: Lessons in Love
Vanderbilt University
Nashville
(traveled to Open Lots Gallery, Nashville, and Antena Gallery, Chicago)
Vanderbilt University
Nashville
(traveled to Open Lots Gallery, Nashville, and Antena Gallery, Chicago)
Guest Lecturer
Society for Photographic Education (Mid Atlantic/Northeast Regions) Conference, Montclair, New Jersey
11/07/09
Artist talk on recent projects
Society for Photographic Education (Mid Atlantic/Northeast Regions) Conference, Montclair, New Jersey
11/07/09
Artist talk on recent projects
Losing Yourself in the 21st Century
Welch School Gallery, Georgia State University, Atlanta (traveling to Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, early 2010)
10/01/09 – 11/19/09
Welch School Gallery, Georgia State University, Atlanta (traveling to Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, early 2010)
10/01/09 – 11/19/09
Guest Lecturer
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Photography Department, NYC
Artist Talk on recent projects
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Photography Department, NYC
Artist Talk on recent projects
Guest Lecturer
Laurel Nakadate’s, "Video Symposium" course
School of Visual Arts NYC
Photography Department
Artist Talk on recent projects
Laurel Nakadate’s, "Video Symposium" course
School of Visual Arts NYC
Photography Department
Artist Talk on recent projects
Out of Order
MonkeyTown (collaborative performance for Sam Stalling’s, Into the Woods), Brooklyn
12/17/09
screening
MonkeyTown (collaborative performance for Sam Stalling’s, Into the Woods), Brooklyn
12/17/09
screening
To Have, To Hold, and To Violate: Amber and Doll
Locust Projects, Miami
05/10/08-06/28/08 with private lecture event and public opening
solo exhibition
Locust Projects, Miami
05/10/08-06/28/08 with private lecture event and public opening
solo exhibition
Pleased to Meet Me: Amber Hawk Swanson shrewdly explores issues of eroticism, objectification and violence by playing with dolls.
Map Magazine
Issue 05 Summer 2008
Page 26 Online and 70/71 In Print
by Daria Brit Shapiro
Feature Article on the subject of solo exhibition at Locust Projects
Map Magazine
Issue 05 Summer 2008
Page 26 Online and 70/71 In Print
by Daria Brit Shapiro
Feature Article on the subject of solo exhibition at Locust Projects
An Interview with Amber Hawk Swanson
Diet Newsletter in conjunction with Diet Gallery, Miami
Summer 2008 issue
by Nicole Pasulka
Feature Interview on the subject of the Amber Doll Project
Diet Newsletter in conjunction with Diet Gallery, Miami
Summer 2008 issue
by Nicole Pasulka
Feature Interview on the subject of the Amber Doll Project
Amber Hawk Swanson
Flavorpill Miami
06/28/08
by Daria Brit Shapiro
Review of solo exhibition at Locust Projects
Flavorpill Miami
06/28/08
by Daria Brit Shapiro
Review of solo exhibition at Locust Projects
Girlish Ways: The Next Generation of Female Artists
Bobby Fisher Memorial Building, Washington D.C.
06/28/08 opening reception
Bobby Fisher Memorial Building, Washington D.C.
06/28/08 opening reception
Scanner Nicole Interviews Artist and Real Doll Owner Amber Hawk Swanson
Nerve.com
06/11/08
by Nicole Nicole Pasulka
Profile on the subject of the Amber Doll Project
Nerve.com
06/11/08
by Nicole Nicole Pasulka
Profile on the subject of the Amber Doll Project
The Sex Doll Diaries
Miami New Times
05/22/08
by Jeanine Zeitlin
Review of solo exhibition at Locust Projects
Miami New Times
05/22/08
by Jeanine Zeitlin
Review of solo exhibition at Locust Projects
Henbane: Dialectics of the Feminine Sublime
Time Out Chicago
04/10/08
by Alicia Eler
Review of Henbane: Dialectics of the Feminine Sublime
Time Out Chicago
04/10/08
by Alicia Eler
Review of Henbane: Dialectics of the Feminine Sublime
The Stinking Nightshade
Newcity
04/01/08
by Kelly McClure
Review of Henbane: Dialectics of the Feminine Sublime
Newcity
04/01/08
by Kelly McClure
Review of Henbane: Dialectics of the Feminine Sublime
Henbane: Dialectics of the Feminine Sublime
Medicine Park Gallery
opening reception, 03/21/08 with screening event 8pm
Medicine Park Gallery
opening reception, 03/21/08 with screening event 8pm
Threat Level: An Evening of Queer Shorts
02/20/2008
A Chicago queer short film series organized and curated by the directors of MamSir Productions (Jules Rosskam), Moving Train Media (Sam Feder) and Actor Slash Model (Simon Strikeback and Madsen Minax).
02/20/2008
A Chicago queer short film series organized and curated by the directors of MamSir Productions (Jules Rosskam), Moving Train Media (Sam Feder) and Actor Slash Model (Simon Strikeback and Madsen Minax).
Amber Doll
SexTV, CTV Canada
01/21/08
produced by Tanya Spreckly
Television Profile
From Episode Desciption:
"After reading about the community of primarily men who purchase life-like sex dolls as companions, Chicago-based multimedia artist Amber Hawk Swanson decided to order a ‘RealDoll’ in her own likeness. What began a piece of performance art gradually turned into a much more personal endeavor, when Amber found herself dealing with emotions she didn’t anticipate. In this story, Amber Hawk Swanson discusses her very unique – and arguably complicated – body of work."
SexTV, CTV Canada
01/21/08
produced by Tanya Spreckly
Television Profile
From Episode Desciption:
"After reading about the community of primarily men who purchase life-like sex dolls as companions, Chicago-based multimedia artist Amber Hawk Swanson decided to order a ‘RealDoll’ in her own likeness. What began a piece of performance art gradually turned into a much more personal endeavor, when Amber found herself dealing with emotions she didn’t anticipate. In this story, Amber Hawk Swanson discusses her very unique – and arguably complicated – body of work."
Guest Lecturer
Beloit College, Wisconsin
11/08/07
Visiting Emerging Artist Program
Artist Talk (retrospective)
Beloit College, Wisconsin
11/08/07
Visiting Emerging Artist Program
Artist Talk (retrospective)
Guest Lecturer
Barbara DeGenevieve's "Exploratory Media" course
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Photography Department
11/02/07
Artist Talk on recent projects
Barbara DeGenevieve's "Exploratory Media" course
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Photography Department
11/02/07
Artist Talk on recent projects
'Lars' movie shines light on RealDolls
Associated Press
10/18/07
by Sandy Cohen
Article about RealDolls, quoted on the subject of the Amber Doll Project
Associated Press
10/18/07
by Sandy Cohen
Article about RealDolls, quoted on the subject of the Amber Doll Project
My Life as a Real Doll
Current TV
online broadcast 10/05/07 television broadcast 12/02/07
by Joe Varisco
Television Profile with edited clips from, "To Have, To Hold, and To Violate: The Making of Amber Doll"
Current TV
online broadcast 10/05/07 television broadcast 12/02/07
by Joe Varisco
Television Profile with edited clips from, "To Have, To Hold, and To Violate: The Making of Amber Doll"
To Have, To Hold, and To Violate
Vocalo.org
08/26/07
by Robin Amer
Broadcast Piece/Live Interview on the subject of August 2007 performance and screening event
Vocalo.org
08/26/07
by Robin Amer
Broadcast Piece/Live Interview on the subject of August 2007 performance and screening event
Guest Lecturer
Barbara DeGenevieve's "Do I Dare? Law and Ethics for Artists" course
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Photography Department
05/03/07
Artist Talk on recent projects
Barbara DeGenevieve's "Do I Dare? Law and Ethics for Artists" course
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Photography Department
05/03/07
Artist Talk on recent projects
Anatomy of a Punch
The Obscure News
Episode #13
Re-aired 04/14/07 on Chicago Public Radio's, Re:Sound
Podcast interview on the subject of the 2006 video, "Pre-Doll Boot Camp"
The Obscure News
Episode #13
Re-aired 04/14/07 on Chicago Public Radio's, Re:Sound
Podcast interview on the subject of the 2006 video, "Pre-Doll Boot Camp"
"Guys and Dolls"
Chill Magazine: Chicago's Hip Independent Lesbian Lifestyle
December 2006 Issue
Article about the "Feminism? Project" and forthcoming projects
Chill Magazine: Chicago's Hip Independent Lesbian Lifestyle
December 2006 Issue
Article about the "Feminism? Project" and forthcoming projects
Feminism and Gender Identity Panel Appointment
Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival
Sponsored by The Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia College
11/04/06
Panel Discussion with filmmakers Kami Chisholm, Sam Feder, and Jules Rosskam
Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival
Sponsored by The Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media at Columbia College
11/04/06
Panel Discussion with filmmakers Kami Chisholm, Sam Feder, and Jules Rosskam
Metromix Chicago Television Interview
Metromix TV on CLTV
11/01/06
by Marcus Leshock
Television Interview edited with clips from multiple titles from the "Feminism? Project"
Metromix TV on CLTV
11/01/06
by Marcus Leshock
Television Interview edited with clips from multiple titles from the "Feminism? Project"
Museum of Contemporary Photography MPP Collection Profile
From the Profile:
"Starting with sorority sisters and ending with her own mother, Amber Hawk Swanson scripts her ten videos from the Feminism? project from edited interviews with a variety of women. Their original responses to the topic of feminism range from naïve surprise to composed discourse, but become flip one-liners and ironic ramblings when voiced by Swanson in valley-girl intonation and enacted in provacatively sexual contexts."
- Kendra Greene
From the Profile:
"Starting with sorority sisters and ending with her own mother, Amber Hawk Swanson scripts her ten videos from the Feminism? project from edited interviews with a variety of women. Their original responses to the topic of feminism range from naïve surprise to composed discourse, but become flip one-liners and ironic ramblings when voiced by Swanson in valley-girl intonation and enacted in provacatively sexual contexts."
- Kendra Greene
