Matuschka reacts to Jolie story (artist whose 1993 photo shifted focus to reality of breast cancer)

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Last edited Tue May 21, 2013, 11:15 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.berkshirefinearts.com/05-19-2013_matuschka-reacts-to-angelina-jolie.htm

I was taking a bath at 8am when the phone rang and I got the news. A reporter from Inside Edition was calling to request an interview. About what I wondered this early?

I’m an artist and I’m not running for president.

What was more unusual than the early phone call, was the content of sensational news. I was asked to comment on how Angelina Jolie was joining the growing ranks of high profile celebrities opting for prophylactic mastectomies.
At this ungodly hour, I needed to be intelligent about the matter.

I had a mistake-to me (my pun for mastectomy) almost precisely 22 years ago when I was 37. My mother died of breast cancer when she was 41. So the curent discussion about prophylactic mastectomies, gene testing, new types of reconstruction, prevention, and all the artwork created when the disease du jour strikes the ambitious, has been cathartic.
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For those unaware of Matuschka's 'role' in breast cancer awareness and gender studies movements.
http://www.matuschka.net/BODScrollingGalleryPageNov6.html

[Bluenorthwest]

1. I find this 'artists' words to be horrific.

Of course, I knew Angelina's mother a bit, so I don't care for hearing that because she died of cancer she is not a 'positive role model' and I find the pondering 'what if' she'd lived to be very self indulgent bullshit from a woman who does not have that gene.
Who is she to imply that she has standing to judge both Jolie and her late mother?
An artist friend of mine is now dead in the ground because she played with this disease as this woman does ''mistake to me' that's my pun for mastectomy'. How cute. How cruel to others.

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2. She was asked for her reaction - she's giving it based on her experience with the decisions involved

Why should her perspective be of less value than anyone else's? I don't judge Jolie's position, just as I don't judge Matuschka's.

Matuschka has lived with her decision and her role in jumpstarting the breast cancer awareness movement for over 20 years now, so, it does seem odd to me that anyone would condemn her personal views as without 'standing' in this discussion. Her views and artistic expression have become a valuable component for those universities that offer gender study programs.
http://www.matuschka.net/BODScrollingGalleryPageNov6.html