Art @University of Graz

Artistic Activism: Interventions against Male Hegemony

19.09.: Aula, Universitätsplatz 3
20.09.: Foyer, Heinrichstraße 36

In the midst of the conspicuous symbolization of male dominance in the auditorium of the University of Graz four powerful interventions by contemporary, regional, queer-feminist artists are presented.
Subtly placed on the pillars in the entrance area, the artworks simultaneously express themselves subversively by not only directly holding up a mirror to the four sculptural portrait heads, but also by contrasting the portraits of 52 rectors (and 1 female rector) with themes and initiatives that challenge the hegemonic tradition.
These interventions, which were explicitly commissioned for the anniversary celebrations of the Coordination Centre for Gender Studies and Equal Opportunities at the University of Graz, penetrate the terrain of male dominance and reflect changes and innovations. They raise the question of diversity and belonging: Who belongs here?
Each artwork conveys a narrative and thus represents a reinterpretation of the tradition-influenced, hegemonic framework of the history of the University of Graz. From pioneering women in academic positions and university leadership roles to groundbreaking initiatives for women's and gender studies and gender-related new perspectives on academic subjects, these works offer new perspectives and invite us to question the existing order.

Idea, Concept, Texts: Christina Fischer-Lessiak, Barbara Hey and Felicitas Pilz
Artists: Katrin Leiner, Cleo Rinofner, Manu Strametz and Julia Überbacher

Teaser:

1. Pioneering Women in Academic Positions

Detail of the artwork by Manu Strametz
Take a closer look at the short CV of Manu Strametz as well as at further artworks: 
ARTISTS | the collection - gallery of digital art

2. First Women in University-political Leadership Positions

Detail of the artwork by Katrin Leiner
Take a closer look at the short CV of Katrin Leiner as well as at further artworks:
ARTISTS | the collection - gallery of digital art

3. Important Early Initiatives for Women´s and Gender Studies

Detail of the artwork by Cleo Rinofner
Take a closer look at the short CV of Katrin Leiner as well as at further artworks:
Home - polterink illustration

4. Innovative Strength and New Perspectives

Detail of the artwork by Julia Überbacher
Take a closer look at the short CV of Katrin Leiner as well as at further artworks:
ARTISTS | the collection - gallery of digital art

Sound Performance SENSORium
by Reni Hofmüller

19.09., 9:00 pm: Aula, Universitätsplatz 3

The SENSORium consists of sensors for measuring the environment, such as Geiger counters and magnetism, temperature, humidity and fine dust. These sensors provide data in real time, which is either converted directly into sound (oscillators, granular synthesis, etc.) using PureData or indirectly serves as a trigger for other controllable events (further compositions, lighting control, volume, etc.)
The data measured live is converted into sound, making the specific environment audible: a completely new form of soundscape is created and information that would not be accessible to us humans with our senses at all, or only to a very limited extent, can be experienced by the senses - a new sound space is created.

Take a closer look at the short CV of Reni Hofmüller as well as at further artworks:
home of renitentia (mur.at)