- The Dinner Party (1979) was a product of Second Wave Feminism, a movement that has since been widely criticized for overlooking racial politics and unique issues facing women of color. The Dinner Party received kickback for its lack of diversity and inclusivity.
- My gender kept slipping into my work,’ says Chicago. ‘I either had to try to construct an alternative face for myself and other women, or continue to not be taken seriously. ‘ The patriarchy was urging Chicago to make a choice: be a woman, or be an artist.
- The final installation of The Dinner Party features a triangular dining table, 39 place settings representing extraordinary historical women, and an additional 999 named on the Heritage Floor.
Short Story: Judy is invited to attend a dinner party via a brief letter that’s lacking in detail. Her fellow guests consist of 30 women she’s never met before, and while there are 31 guests, there are only 30 seats. Were there one too many guests or did someone show up unexpectedly? Why was everyone invited here in the first place?