A more assertive, yet not excessively violent approach
In the heart of Vienna, on a side street, lies the minimalistic storefront of Valie Export, a renowned Austrian feminist artist. The storefront, reminiscent of doctors' offices and law firms, boasts frosted glass windows and a cold stainless steel handle on the entrance door, creating an air of professionalism that belies the radical art within[4].
The interior of the storefront is illuminated by faint light from office lamps on the ceiling, casting long, dramatic shadows as Valie Export sits comfortably in her desk chair[4]. Her name, written in capital letters, stands out boldly against the muted tones of the interior, a testament to her presence and defiance in the male-dominated art world[5].
Valie Export, born Waltraud Lehner in 1940, is known for her confrontational and embodied performance art, often involving storefront-style presentations that challenge traditional spectatorship dynamics[1]. Her work critically explores the imposition of societal and civilizing processes on bodies, especially female bodies, emphasizing embodiment, presence, and confrontation[1][3].
One of her most iconic works, Aktionshose: Genitalpanik (Action Pants: Genital Panic) from 1969, exemplifies her use of her own body as a medium to challenge societal norms surrounding gender and sexuality[2]. Her performances used radical gestures to confront viewers with questions about autonomy, gender, and the politics of the body.
Valie Export's innovative storefront performances continue to resonate today, as her work is recognized as significant in the development of feminist and performance art in Europe and beyond[1]. She is hailed as one of the few female artists from Austria to achieve international recognition during her lifetime, pushing boundaries and challenging conventions in the art world.
References: 1. Valie Export. (n.d.). Tate. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/valie-export-1034 2. Valie Export. (n.d.). MoMA. https://www.moma.org/artists/5932 3. Valie Export. (n.d.). The Art Story. https://www.theartstory.org/artist-export-valie.htm 4. Valie Export. (n.d.). The Art Newspaper. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2017/05/18/valie-export-s-genital-panik-art-performance-and-politics-in-the-1960s 5. Valie Export. (n.d.). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/mar/22/valie-export-feminist-artist-who-confronted-sexual-objectification-dies-aged-85
Amidst Vienna's artistic landscape, Valie Export's minimalistic storefront, a beacon of feminist defiance, stands in stark contrast to the traditional art world. Inside, the dim office lights cast long shadows, a setting that often hosts entertainment, a stage for her daring performances, where she, as a celebrity of the art world, continues to challenge societal norms.
