THE REVERIES OF COMMONS
audio-visual installation / performance / drawings / objects (2018)
The project deals with the life of Catholic sisterhoods with a case study in Germany and a focus on the female orders Arme Schulschwestern / School Sisters of Notre Dame i Congregatio Jesu / Congregation of Jesus. Through the interviews with the sisters who are nowadays part of these communities, I’m trying to explore the differences between the life mission of the religious sisters from the past and those who live in the contemporary world. The initial attempt was to uncover the possible reasons for the lack of new sisters – a situation that has led to the closure of many convents across Europe.
The conversations held with different sisters are pervaded by biographical details of Maria Theresa von Jesu Gerhardinger (1797–1879) and Mary Ward (1585–1645) – remarkable women-founders, coming from different centuries and backgrounds, who faced hardship and painful struggle in order to fulfill their mission – the one dedicated to female education and empowerment. Inspired by the lives of the foundresses, sisters also share their particular experiences and personal stories that guided them to join their communities. Fascinated by the spirit of activism of these Catholic sisterhoods, I’m wondering how this practice corresponds to the history and principles of feminism.
The project is presented in the form of the (wooden) cell placed in the middle of the gallery. The inside walls of the cell are inscribed with textual drawings, and followed by the audio recordings – a hybrid recital consisting of the artists experiences, contemplations, presumptions, doubts in correspondence to the topic.
Exhibitions: July - November 2018 / The Reveries of Commons, Städtische Galerie im Leeren Beutel, Regensburg, Germany
The project deals with the life of Catholic sisterhoods with a case study in Germany and a focus on the female orders Arme Schulschwestern / School Sisters of Notre Dame i Congregatio Jesu / Congregation of Jesus. Through the interviews with the sisters who are nowadays part of these communities, I’m trying to explore the differences between the life mission of the religious sisters from the past and those who live in the contemporary world. The initial attempt was to uncover the possible reasons for the lack of new sisters – a situation that has led to the closure of many convents across Europe.
The conversations held with different sisters are pervaded by biographical details of Maria Theresa von Jesu Gerhardinger (1797–1879) and Mary Ward (1585–1645) – remarkable women-founders, coming from different centuries and backgrounds, who faced hardship and painful struggle in order to fulfill their mission – the one dedicated to female education and empowerment. Inspired by the lives of the foundresses, sisters also share their particular experiences and personal stories that guided them to join their communities. Fascinated by the spirit of activism of these Catholic sisterhoods, I’m wondering how this practice corresponds to the history and principles of feminism.
The project is presented in the form of the (wooden) cell placed in the middle of the gallery. The inside walls of the cell are inscribed with textual drawings, and followed by the audio recordings – a hybrid recital consisting of the artists experiences, contemplations, presumptions, doubts in correspondence to the topic.
Exhibitions: July - November 2018 / The Reveries of Commons, Städtische Galerie im Leeren Beutel, Regensburg, Germany
The Reveries of Commons_Städtische Galerie im Leeren Beutel, Regensburg_photo Stefan Effenhauser_2018
The Reveries of Commons_Städtische Galerie im Leeren Beutel, Regensburg_photo Stefan Effenhauser_2018
The Reveries of Commons_Städtische Galerie im Leeren Beutel, Regensburg_photo Stefan Effenhauser_2018
