Private I

A visionary life at the intersection of art, technology, and feminism. Lynn Hershman Leeson has spent a lifetime pushing artistic boundaries, challenging conventions, and shaping contemporary media art. Private I is her deeply personal, revelatory memoir: a story of defiance, reinvention, and radical creativity. From a childhood in East Cleveland marked by poverty and trauma, to her transformative years in 1960s Berkeley amid political activism and feminist art movements, Hershman Leeson's journey is a testament to resilience and innovation. She delves into the creation of her pioneering alter ego, Roberta Breitmore--a performance persona who navigated real-world scenarios, challenging societal norms and prefiguring contemporary discussions on digital identity and surveillance. Faced with institutional resistance, Hershman Leeson exhibited her feminist and technology-driven artworks in unconventional spaces, from hotel rooms to underground venues, forging a path outside the mainstream art world. Private I offers intimate insights into her collaborations with notable figures such as Eleanor Coppola, George Lucas, and Tilda Swinton, and her groundbreaking ventures into artificial intelligence and interactive media. This memoir is more than a chronicle of an artist's life; it's a richly illustrated art object, featuring vibrant reproductions of Hershman Leeson's work, making it a visual and intellectual feast. Private I is essential reading for enthusiasts of contemporary art, feminism, and the dynamic interplay between technology and identity.