Women have far too often been forgotten, overlooked, and marginalised in Austria’s official historiography—a fact that lends all the more importance to this exhibition’s attempt to survey the past 200 years in light of the biographies of important Austrian women. Austrian women whose talents, willpower, and determined courage have helped shape and enrich their country. Their lives and their works, which account for at least half of Austria’s intellectual identity, are to be recognised here in the form of prominent examples—in full knowledge of the inevitable gaps, some of them scandalous, that such a form of portrayal entails.
This exhibition surveys the life stories of aristocrats, artists, salon women, scientists, women’s rights activists, politicians, actresses, musicians, physicians, and stage directors in chronological form. The arc thus drawn extends from the early 19th century to the present. A common theme evident throughout is women’s struggle for emancipation, with all its attendant triumphs and setbacks. From Biedermeier-period desires for freedom to our 21st century, much has been accomplished. But one also sees clearly that true equality has not yet been achieved, with much indeed still to be done.
Opening Night for CALLIOPE
On September 29th, alongside a concert with Austrian pianist Anna Magdalena Kokits, CALLIOPE will open its cross-Canada tour at Conrad Grebel University College.
Can't Make it to Opening Night?
Exhibition hours:
September 27-29 from 8AM to 9PM
October 2 - 6 from 8AM to 9PM
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