The special exhibition "Tell these people who I am - Women Artists in Expressionism and Fluxus" at the Museum Ostwall in the Dortmunder U puts 30 women artists from two influential eras of the 20th century in the spotlight. The first part, "...a self-evident inner must", presents the work of eight female expressionists who significantly expanded the concept of art of their time through a wide variety of materials and techniques. Works by Renée Sintenis, Lotte Reiniger, Kitty Rix and other female artists show how they fought for new means of expression in a male-dominated art world. Renée Sintenis, a successful sculptor in the Weimar Republic, is cited as an example of the condescending attitude of art critics, who conceded her "craftsmanship" but refused to recognize any artistic quality in her work.
The second part, "Fluxus and Feminism", examines the role of women artists during the emerging women's movement and their participation in the global Fluxus movement. Artists such as Carolee Schneemann and Ana Mendieta are presented, whose works address the relationship between gender roles and art. Schneemann, for example, addresses the "male gaze" and challenges patriarchal perspectives.
The exhibition also looks at the particular challenges faced by female artists in this "free" art form and shows how they created groundbreaking works despite social barriers. Collaborations between artist couples such as Yoko Ono and John Lennon or Alison Knowles and Dick Higgins illustrate how personal relationships acted as a source of artistic inspiration.
Further information
The Dortmunder U is a center for art, culture, education, science and artistic research. Here, the team promotes an understanding of social, political, economic and ecological contexts in a variety of ways. The U houses an art collection, serves as an exhibition venue and is a popular meeting place. The building sees itself as an experimental space and a place of shared learning where art, science and creative work can be experienced, deepened and tested. Guests find inspiration here to reflect on the past and present as well as to actively participate in shaping the future.
