Based on a comment left just now on my “knee-jerk response” to Taryn Andreatta’s thoughts on feminism and the natural submission of women and — more importantly — my missing the “depth and genius of Taryn’s vision for a society that encourages full expression of natural gifts” etc., I have decided to publish the post-‘interview’ dialogue between Taryn and myself, which ended on a positive note between us.

The facts of our discussion are enlightening, as Taryn shares her commitment to many feminist values and I clarify my attempts to understand her position, hardly a “knee jerk” reaction as alleged by our AOC reader. In reality, I invested significant time, energy and thought into several days worth of dialogue, in an attempt to help Taryn clarify her words.

As confused as I was by what she meant with her statements about feminism, I have no doubt that many others were as well. I tried to clarify the inaccuracies of her statements about feminism this weekend, by referring readers to Stanford University’s overview of feminist philosophy. If my sincere essay is “classic knee jerk” feminism at its worst, I obviously failed in my attempts is talking about the complex questions embedded in Taryn’s belief in “natural female submission”.

Oct 10, 2011

TA: Hi Anne, sorry for the delay. The interview is complete and I’ll send it over tomorrow.
Xoxoxo

AE: Great T!! Your image article continues to get good reads. Now we can push it again.

TA: Thanks Anne… I apologize for the length of my interview.. i just sent it to your yahoo acct. I really couldn’t spare any thought or ideas because they’ve been burning inside of me for the past few months and just waiting to get out. xoxo

AE: I’m sure it will be great. Length is never a problem for me. I’ll read it this evening before bed. Do you have specific photos from editorials that you want to be part of it? Some images are important.

TA: Yes please.. I’d like the last shoot i did “the offering” to be included. It really is a analysis of that and more. Thank you. Xoxo

Oct 11, 2011

TA: Anne, thank you so much! Words can’t describe how thankful I am for your support, wisdom, and beautiful article! I’m everyday thrilled that we connected! I love the article. Two quick things. The 2nd question has a grammar error. 2. It should be their or our perspective right?

And… I understood all of it but this part “and courage to me, with more than one self-photography project retrieved” with Taryn as muse. Are you referring to my self-project? If so, can we change “self-project” because it was in such a large part the photographers as well, and I never call our works projects. Sorry to be so nit picky. Maybe something like with more than one artistic piece retrieved. I don’t know.. Everything else looked fantastic! Can’t wait to talk more. Lots of love! Xoxo

TA: Sorry I’m such an obsessive perfectionist Anne.

AE: No problem. I clarified the point. The women (3) resurrected or began self-photography projects of their own, saying they were inspired by your actions and honesty before the camera. For us, we call it our self-photography project. Perhaps ‘we’ are projects — works in process. Your images were the catalyst that inspired women to return to their own private relationship with the camera and nudity. Tomorrow I’ll add the links to your other work. (Just exhausted and so pressed today). And I’ll put this article and 2 earlier ones — definitely your film w/water — on the front page. Don’t apologize, T. The grammar error was an oversight. I wanted to attach feminism to me, using the word all the time and considering myself a feminist. And I forgot to take out the other ‘their’ word. Glad you caught it!! Lots of love back. Anne

Oct 12, 2011