Breitmore, Roberta (Lynn Hershman Leeson)  Between 1974 and
1978, pioneering new media artist Lynn Hershman (now Hershman
Leeson) created an elaborate alter ego for herself as Roberta
Breitmore. The Breitmore persona was very fully developed: she
had her own mannerisms, handwriting, clothing, wig, makeup,
apartment, psychiatrist, credit cards, acquaintances, life
story, and adventures.[1] Hershman Leeson notes that Breitmore
reflected the zeitgeist, being aware of or coming to terms with
such cultural trends of her time as EST and Weightwatchers.
Roberta Breitmore was 'born', according to Hershman Leeson, when
she arrived in San Franisco with $1800 on a Greyhound bus and
checked in to the Dante Hotel. At one point, Roberta advertised
for a roommate in a newspaper personals column--"Woman cauc.
seeks bright companion to share rent and interests"--and the
real people who answered the ad became part of the Breitmore
world [2]. Not coincidentally, Breitmore's name was inspired by
a Joyce Carol Oates story, "Pass