The book Superior and Inferior features a facsimile copy of pivotal and extremely rare publication by the Italian abstract artist Carla Accardi (1924–2014) titled Superiore e Inferiore, plus the first ever translation of the work into English. Published in 1972, it brings together the recordings of a series of conversations between Accardi and her pupils – she was a teacher at a public middle school – all between 10 and 13, about society’s discriminatory behaviour towards women. They also commented the Manifesto of the revolutionary feminist group Rivolta Femminile, collectively written by art critic Carla Accardi, artist Carla Lonzi and Elvira Banotti, which first appeared posted on city walls in Rome in July 1970.
For having discussed sex-related issues with pupils, Accardi was fired and permanently suspended from teaching. (Her letter of dismissal issued by the Italian Ministry of Education forms part of the introduction to the book.) Along the lines of Pasolini’s Comizi d’Amore (Love Meetings), Accardi’s own voice is secondary in the book, giving way to the thoughts, narratives, opinions and debates expressed among girls from the middle school where she taught, on the role of women and girls, family conflicts and sentimental relations, as well as their reflections on Accardi’s Manifesto.
English / Italian
304 pages, 21.5 x 15.3 cm, paperback, Crackers (Milan).