The first definition for the word feminism that pops up on the world wide web is the following: "Quite simply, feminism is about all genders having equal rights and opportunities. It is about respecting diverse women's experiences, identities, knowledge and strengths, and striving to empower all women to realize their full rights”. That seems to be accurate since it is mainly women who have been excluded from every power structure for centuries. Yet is it so quite simple to define what gender is – and for that matter, what constitutes a woman's identity, or anidentity per se?
In her book We Should All be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie argues, among other essential truths,that gender matters everywhere in the world. The world, however, is not an abstract entity. It consists of many diverse places; each with its own historical, societal, economic and climatic particularities. What does it mean to be a woman in a set of different geographical contexts? This valid and pertinent question is the subject of the book Of Cities and Women written by artist and poet Etel Adnan, in which she reflects on how the environment, culture and people shape and define women's bodies, minds and liberties. Furthermore, is it only one single gender that matters? One should not forget that as early as 1990, philosopher Judith Butler called upon society to create gender trouble by disrupting the binary view of sex, gender, and sexuality.
What could mean to be a feminist in different geographical and cultural contexts within the visual arts is what this course will aim to touch upon during a short but hopefully fruitful and condensed time frame. The classes will include group seminars, research visits (in the town and beyond), and guest lectures followed by discussions and private tutorials. Through a series of readings and conversations, participants will be invited to reflect on curatorial methodologies and challenges, as these occurred in particular case studies, some of which will be presented in the class by guest curators as well as by the course instructor(s). Hands-on research and practical exercises will be encouraged, while participants may choose to work alone or collectively in smaller groups to form curatorial ideas for projects.
key data
- Venue
- Festung Hohensalzburg
- Date
- 31. 7. – 12. 8. 23
- Teaching Language
- English (the teacher also speaks Greek and French)
- What to bring
- Motivation and love
- Requirements
- None
- Maximum number of participants
- 20
- Participation fee
- € 640.– (reduced € 480,–)