Up The Organization - Joep Van Lieshout, Atelier van Lieshout - Interview

ArtForum, April, 2001 by Jennifer Allen

Like van Lieshout, Dr. Gomperts believes that art should work in different contexts, and she notes that A-Portable will cross legal, medical, navigational, and aesthetic territories. She chose AVL not for its ideology, but for its exceptional designs. "For a lot of women abortion is a frightening experience, and therefore it is important not to make the room too cold and clinical. Joep is an artist who has great insight--not just into technical and functional aspects, but also into the way a space can influence people. He can make the treatment room into a friendly and comfortable space."

With funding in place for the pilot project, Women on Waves will set sail later this year with an all-woman crew to an undisclosed location. In light of the current threat to take away the women's rights gained in Roe v. Wade, Dr. Gomperts has not ruled out future voyages to the United States. "If abortion became illegal, we would certainly consider going there, but only with the support of local women's groups."

Sidebar, top and bottom: AVL, sketches for A-Portable, 2001.