A new “art” exhibit debuted in Washington DC recently. This one, at the Flashpoint Gallery, is all about Ivanka Trump. Is it classy? Nope, it’s trashy. Literally. 

Inspired by a figure whose public persona incorporates an almost comically wide range of feminine identities – daughter, wife, mother, sister, model, working woman, blonde – Ivanka Vacuuming is simultaneously a visual celebration of a contemporary feminine icon; a portrait of our own relationship to that figure; and a questioning of our complicity in her role-playing.

“Our mission in making space for art often extends to expanding the city’s cultural landscape. Jennifer’s insightful work is perfect for the artistically savvy and civic-minded DC crowd. We’re always happy to provide a platform for timely, boundary-pushing installations like Ivanka Vacuuming,” says Kristi Maiselman, Executive Director of CulturalDC.

Yes, you read that correctly. “Ivanka Vacuuming” is a thing with this artist. So what is this exhibit all about?

"It's a portrait of her, but also our relationship to her”: This art exhibit lets you throw breadcrumbs at a vacuuming Ivanka Trump lookalike. https://t.co/Pa2ivFMJqY pic.twitter.com/elg5IePYzd

— DCist (@DCist) February 5, 2019

Oh well…how ‘artistic’ that is! Jennifer Rubell, the artist who designed this piece of performance art, had this to say. 

“Here is what’s complicated: we enjoy throwing the crumbs for Ivanka to vacuum. That is the icky truth at the center of the work. It’s funny, it’s pleasurable, it makes us feel powerful, and we want to do it more,” notes Rubell. “We like having the power to elicit a specific and certain response. Also, we know she’ll keep vacuuming whether we do it or not, so it’s not really our fault, right?”

In other words, Rubell doesn’t like Ivanka nor her family. So her response was to design a piece of “art” that encourages people to throw crumbs at a look alike model. That’s oh so classy isn’t it?

What was that thing that Michelle said? Oh yeah, ‘when they go low, we go high.’ RIIIIIGHT

‘Going high’ also includes throwing crumbs at someone you don’t like because politics and FEELINGS!

Guess what folks, this “art” demeans women. Think I’m wrong?

A. This exhibit essentially implies that Ivanka’s only role should be that of a housewife who must do nothing but vacuum up the crumbs thrown at her.

B. It is demeaning to any women who dare work outside the home

C. It’s ok to do this to Ivanka because POLITICS! But if it was Michelle, or any other Democrat woman? DON’T YOU DARE!!!

An exhibit that encourages people to throw trash at someone says much much more about the character, or lack thereof, of the person encouraging that action.

Understandably, Ivanka’s brother Eric wasn’t thrilled with this exhibit. Watch his remarks about the display starting at the 7:15 mark.

Donald Jr. wasn’t thrilled either.

Sad, but not surprising to watch self professed “feminists” launching sexist attacks against @IvankaTrump. In their crazed world, sexism is OK if hurts their political enemies.

That's ok, they can go put on their stupid hats & she’ll get back to actually fighting for women. https://t.co/yxXIDz2R8e

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 5, 2019

Ivanka’s response?

Women can choose to knock each other down or build each other up. I choose the latter. https://t.co/MFri4xKhNI

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) February 5, 2019

A very classy response.

Jennifer Rubell and others may consider what she did is art and that’s her prerogative. However, Ivanka is correct. Rubell’s art knocks women down instead of building them up. Jennifer Rubell is encouraging folks to bully Ivanka. That is wrong on every level and by no means is it art in any way shape or form.

Feature Photo Credit: Michael Vadon [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons, cropped and modified