Feminism, Education and Art - Public discussion

Public discussion

Today, gender equality is a subject considered by many to be obsolete. The feminists supposedly fought our equity quite some time ago, and so the present generation can exercise the rights they have acquired in an undisturbed and unburdened manner. In the event that some inequalities still occur, then these must be an individual's problem. But is this truly the case? In many areas, the statistical data demonstrates major differences that individuals – if aware enough – can perceive in everyday life. When accustomed to a certain condition – if present constantly – then we will most likely find it almost natural, and therefore not an issue. If we are used to seeing a lot more men than women politicians, we'll consider it normal; if we are used to seeing significantly more womenthan men artists in museums, we won't consider this disproportion an issue, but acceptable. The process is also reversed – things perceived as a fact of nature are self-perpetuated. Therefore social and political changes require an ongoing analysis of such a condition and active measures for improvement.
This April, a public letter (rdecezore.org/?p=4739) was sent to the Academy of Fine Arts and Design – one of the most important institutions in Slovenia in the field of art education – posing questions regarding feminist issues and female professors at the Academy. In relation to this letter, the public discussion will ask questions: What useful can we learn from statistics on the situation of women in art? Which artists of both genders, and which subjects, does the artistic canon praise, and which does it avoid, and what does this tell us about general social and political conditions? What role does education have in condition changing and what forms of education on feminist issues can be found in our country? (Ana Čigon)
This public discussion on feminism, education and art will be held in two blocks. In the first, their views on the above mentioned topics will be presented by Ana Grobler, Dr Marina Gržinić, Alen Ožbolt, Dunja Kukovec, Dr Tanja Mastnak and Dr Neva Šlibar. This will be followed by a debate open to the public. The discussion will be moderated by Ana Čigon.

Organisation: City of Women; In collaboration with: Museum of Modern Art.