Ask the Goddess Poster

Ask the Goddess 1991

9 min📅 1991-01-01

Dive into *Ask the Goddess (1991)*, Carolee Schneemann's electrifying 9-minute performance piece that blurs the line between raw expression and audience interaction.

Director: Carolee Schneemann

Cast

Carolee Schneemann
Carolee Schneemann

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ask the Goddess (1991) about?

Carolee Schneemann's *Ask the Goddess* is a daring live-performance film where she responds to audience-submitted questions about sexuality and spirituality. The film unfolds as a dynamic interplay between Schneemann's spontaneous reactions and a collage of projected goddess symbols, culminating in a visceral, almost mythic transformation.

Who directed Ask the Goddess?

The film was directed by Carolee Schneemann, a pioneering artist known for her boundary-pushing work in performance and experimental cinema.

Who stars in Ask the Goddess?

Carolee Schneemann is the sole credited performer in this film, delivering a tour-de-force of physical and vocal expression.

Is Ask the Goddess (1991) worth watching?

While short and unconventional, *Ask the Goddess* offers a compelling glimpse into Schneemann's radical vision. Fans of avant-garde performance art or feminist cinema may find its raw energy and mythic allure rewarding, though its niche appeal may not suit all tastes.

How long is Ask the Goddess?

The runtime is listed as 9 minutes.

About Ask the Goddess (1991) — Carolee Schneemann's 9-Minute Performance Masterpiece Explained

Dive into *Ask the Goddess (1991)*, Carolee Schneemann's electrifying 9-minute performance piece that blurs the line between raw expression and audience interaction. In this avant-garde film, Schneemann takes the stage as both artist and conduit, responding to intimate, sometimes provocative questions submitted on cards by the audience. The act unfolds against a mesmerizing backdrop of projected slides—iconic symbols of goddesses, taboos, and sacred animal motifs—each sparking spontaneous, visceral reactions. As the images unfold in a relentless relay, Schneemann's physicality transforms: her reactions escalate from measured discourse to primal howls, embodying the raw energy of mythic archetypes. The film is a visceral exploration of sexuality, spirituality, and the unpredictable interplay between creator and observer.

*Ask the Goddess (1991)* doesn't just challenge conventional filmmaking; it dismantles it, replacing narrative structure with a live, unfiltered dialogue that feels both ancient and urgently contemporary. The atmosphere crackles with tension as Schneemann channels the unpredictable—her body and voice morphing into a howling wolf, her answers shaped by the collision of sacred imagery and personal dilemma. It's a fleeting yet unforgettable burst of performance art, where the boundaries between audience and artist dissolve in real time.