Thunderdomesticity Party: Femininity in the Post-Apocalypse
Miss Art World South Dakota Klaire Lockheart wants you to celebrate her birthday on March 19th, 2022, at an amazing art reception at the Washington Street Arts Center, 202 Washington St, Vermillion, SD. The Thunderdomesticity Party includes an art reception for the Femininity in the Post-Apocalypse exhibition, which features artwork by Reyna Hernandez, Epiphany Knedler, Klaire Lockheart, Erin Murtha, and Aaron Packard. The party lasts from 6:00-9:00 pm, admission is free, and the Vermillion Area Arts Council will sell drinks and snacks. Instead of bringing birthday gifts, guests are encouraged to buy themselves presents because all the art at the reception will be for sale.
Guests 5 years old and over must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Face coverings are required for all visitors 2 years old and over when not eating or drinking indoors.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in costume for the Thunderdomesticity Party!
Guests 5 years old and over must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Face coverings are required for all visitors 2 years old and over when not eating or drinking indoors.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in costume for the Thunderdomesticity Party!
Invitation to Women and People of Marginalized Genders
All women (including but not limited to: cis women, trans women, non-binary, and gender fluid people) are invited to create space for themselves in the fictitious post-apocalyptic landscape of Thunderdomesticity. Traditional “women’s work” is often undervalued in American culture, but skills such as sewing, gardening, cooking, and care-taking would be immensely valuable during and after the apocalypse. Unfortunately, women are often excluded from sci-fi and heroic tales. Don’t waste time waiting for movies, comics, and other forms of media to finally treat women with respect - create your own epic narrative!
Thunderdomesticity Costume Guide
Dress
Begin with a mid-20th century style “housewife” dress. It doesn’t need to be an actual vintage dress; a contemporary replica will work perfectly. Think of the archetypical 1950s American sitcom mom wardrobe. The dress should be modest, not low-cut, and about knee-length. The skirt should be puffy enough to allow for movement. Avoid tight and ill-fitting dresses. If the dress doesn’t have pockets, add them to make the clothing practical. Then, make holes and distress the fabric, but repair the damage with patches and darning. Include stains and visible evidence of battle and everyday wear.
Accessories
Many belts are necessary in the post-apocalypse for some reason; belts with spikes and rivets are preferable. Only wear multiple belts if they are comfortable. If it is cold, wear fur, fake fur, leather, or faux leather. Wear leggings, tights, shorts, or pants under the dress depending on the weather and comfort. Feel free to include gloves, such as evening, lace, or rubber gloves. Aprons are delightful, especially lacy and impractical ones that have been distressed and modified. Steampunk accessories, including goggles, are more than welcome. Wear traditional midcentury American jewelry. Pearl necklaces and brooches are a great start. Add skulls, skeletons, and spikes when necessary.
Footwear
All footwear must be functional and comfortable. Regardless of the following guidelines, footwear must be practical for the wearer. Flat shoes and comfortable boots are the priority. Black and brown boots and shoes are preferable. Absolutely no high heels will be permitted. (A slight heel is okay, but no stilettos or spike heels. Even though high heel hiking boots are hilarious, don’t wear them for this costume.) Platform shoes and boots are okay as long as they are functional. All shoes and boots must look like you could run and kick arse.
Hair
Take inspiration from pinup and punk rock hairstyles. The bigger the better. Consider 1940s-1950s hairstyles and wigs: victory rolls and bouffants for example. Unnatural colors are a plus. Hair should be very pristine and perfect, extremely messy, or everything in between.
Makeup
To create post-apocalyptic makeup, use loud and bright colors. Make sure your eyeshadow can be seen from a distance to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies. Don’t accidentally commit offensive cultural appropriation. When in doubt, use more eyeliner. Don’t wear false eyelashes if they inhibit your vision.
Weapons
Weapons are not a requirement. Do not use real weapons because this is art, not the art of actual war. (No real knives, firearms, crossbows, flame throwers, and so forth.) Start off with splatter painting old kitchen items with acrylic paint and see what that inspires.
Men’s Costumes
Typically women are ignored in post-apocalyptic stories, and their costumes look like they’re made out of the scraps left over from the men’s costumes. Thunderdomesticity men’s costuming is purposefully ignored to help create balance in media. People who identify as men are welcome to participate in Thunderdomesticity, but their costumes should be skimpy and appear as an afterthought. 1950s-style suits that appear to have gone through a shredder, tiny loin cloths, and mechanic rompers are encouraged. Their shoes and boots do not need to be practical.
Begin with a mid-20th century style “housewife” dress. It doesn’t need to be an actual vintage dress; a contemporary replica will work perfectly. Think of the archetypical 1950s American sitcom mom wardrobe. The dress should be modest, not low-cut, and about knee-length. The skirt should be puffy enough to allow for movement. Avoid tight and ill-fitting dresses. If the dress doesn’t have pockets, add them to make the clothing practical. Then, make holes and distress the fabric, but repair the damage with patches and darning. Include stains and visible evidence of battle and everyday wear.
Accessories
Many belts are necessary in the post-apocalypse for some reason; belts with spikes and rivets are preferable. Only wear multiple belts if they are comfortable. If it is cold, wear fur, fake fur, leather, or faux leather. Wear leggings, tights, shorts, or pants under the dress depending on the weather and comfort. Feel free to include gloves, such as evening, lace, or rubber gloves. Aprons are delightful, especially lacy and impractical ones that have been distressed and modified. Steampunk accessories, including goggles, are more than welcome. Wear traditional midcentury American jewelry. Pearl necklaces and brooches are a great start. Add skulls, skeletons, and spikes when necessary.
Footwear
All footwear must be functional and comfortable. Regardless of the following guidelines, footwear must be practical for the wearer. Flat shoes and comfortable boots are the priority. Black and brown boots and shoes are preferable. Absolutely no high heels will be permitted. (A slight heel is okay, but no stilettos or spike heels. Even though high heel hiking boots are hilarious, don’t wear them for this costume.) Platform shoes and boots are okay as long as they are functional. All shoes and boots must look like you could run and kick arse.
Hair
Take inspiration from pinup and punk rock hairstyles. The bigger the better. Consider 1940s-1950s hairstyles and wigs: victory rolls and bouffants for example. Unnatural colors are a plus. Hair should be very pristine and perfect, extremely messy, or everything in between.
Makeup
To create post-apocalyptic makeup, use loud and bright colors. Make sure your eyeshadow can be seen from a distance to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies. Don’t accidentally commit offensive cultural appropriation. When in doubt, use more eyeliner. Don’t wear false eyelashes if they inhibit your vision.
Weapons
Weapons are not a requirement. Do not use real weapons because this is art, not the art of actual war. (No real knives, firearms, crossbows, flame throwers, and so forth.) Start off with splatter painting old kitchen items with acrylic paint and see what that inspires.
Men’s Costumes
Typically women are ignored in post-apocalyptic stories, and their costumes look like they’re made out of the scraps left over from the men’s costumes. Thunderdomesticity men’s costuming is purposefully ignored to help create balance in media. People who identify as men are welcome to participate in Thunderdomesticity, but their costumes should be skimpy and appear as an afterthought. 1950s-style suits that appear to have gone through a shredder, tiny loin cloths, and mechanic rompers are encouraged. Their shoes and boots do not need to be practical.
