What does it mean to exist as a woman in our society? C/O Berlin is seeking the answers in two of their exhibitions. The main exhibition pays tribute to a pioneer of feminist art. Since the 1960s, Austrian artist VALIE EXPORT has challenged traditional gender roles and analyzed human behavior through performance art, film and photography. Her early performances, in particular, caused a sensation that has remained throughout the decades. Particularly “Tapp- und Tastkino” and “Aktionshose: Genitalpanik”, which criticized the “male gaze” in pornography. Export’s work criticizes misogyny in a visually powerful and humorous way. Her strength lies in her skillful exposure of social contradictions. Meanwhile, Catalan artist Laia Abril’s work addresses sexualized and systemic violence against women. At C/O, she presents a comprehensive research project on the power dynamics that enable rape. For her project “On Rape — And Institutional Failure”, she doesn’t directly reproduce stories of survivors but approaches them emphatically via archive material, legal texts and myths. From these fragments, she creates a haunting examination that has a lasting impact. Artist Aladin Borioli has also made a name for himself with a long-term project. This year, the young Swiss artist received the C/O Berlin Talent Award for “Bannkörbe”. He depicts how humans and bees co-exist through text, images and objects. For his extensive field research, he worked with bee researchers, scientists and beekeepers. In all three shows, the curators provoke political discussion, which there can never be enough of in Berlin.
Text: Laura Storfner / Credits: Military Rape, 2019, Laia Abril, Courtesy Les filles du calvaire Paris; Aktionshose-Genitalpanik, 1969, Valie Export, Photo: Peter Hassmann; Exhibition view, Photo: David von Becker
C/O Berlin, Hardenbergstr.22–24, 10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg; map
Valie Export. Retrospektive, until 21.05.2024
Laia Abril. On Rape – And Institutional Failure, until 21.05.2024
Aladin Borioli. Bannkörbe. C/O Berlin Talent Award 2023, until 21.05.2024
@coberlin
