“As soon as women discover their history and recognize their position in the past and the development of humanity, their consciousness changes dramatically. This experience allows them to cross boundaries and realize what they have in common with other women and have always had in common. This changes their self-awareness as well as their world view.”

The feminist historian Gerda Lerner formulated these sentences a quarter of a century ago.* A lot has happened in research since then, as the humanities and historical research have long been working on the merits of female artists, writers, musicians, choreographers, directors – in general: creative women. As a result, female artistic creation of earlier generations has become more visible – as have the obstacles that were once placed in the way of female artists to a much greater extent than today. In the 21st century, female artists of younger and middle generations no longer lack role models.

How do they reflect female creativity today? How do they inscribe themselves in a genealogy of female artists with their own artistic work? What is their view of those who have long been ignored, forgotten or even actively banished from the narrative by historiography? How do they relate to their ancestors and pioneers, to those who were active in the visual arts, but also in other artistic fields? The exhibition ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS aims to shed light on questions such as these.

ARTISTS:
Katharina Aigner, Judith Augustinovič & Valerie Habsburg, Anahita Asadifar, Bettina Beranek, Carola Dertnig, Karin Fisslthaler, Anna Meyer, Christiana Perschon, Anna Reisenbichler, Isa Rosenberger, Constanze Ruhm, Stefanie Seibold, Huda Takriti, Viktoria Tremmel