VISTA | 2026 The view is obscured. Vastness becomes a fragment. Only small openings offer glimpses outside. Who can see, who is seen? Who remains invisible? For whom do possibilities open up, and for whom do they remain closed? How far can one’s own gaze reach? And who can look beyond the present into a future?
NOWHERE NowWhere NowHere | 2024 Five people from Genoa speak about their relationship with the sea, about exclusion and traumatic experiences, and about their hope for respect, belonging, and a self-determined future. AUDIO | 31:55
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
The audio transcripts present the five voices heard in the audio – each in its original language as well as in Italian, German, and English translation. The original texts have been reproduced unchanged, without linguistic corrections or editorial revisions.
in collaboration with Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura; AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti; Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova; Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini; Centro Studi Medí
THE OTHER DIRECTION The global debate about the direction we are heading in—whether it’s the right direction, the wrong direction, no direction at all, or a completely lost direction—has become an existential question, felt even in the microcosm of everyday life. The art project THE OTHER DIRECTION explores this very notion through the lived experiences of passengers on Genoa’s No. 1 bus. As the bus moves in one physical direction—from the city center to the outskirts—the project traces another direction: that of the untold stories of women commuters.
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
SMELLS |ODORE | 2025 Video | 11:32 (no sound) Ten women from each of the seven neighborhoods along the route from the city center to Voltri (Centro, Sampierdarena, Cornigliano, Sestri Ponente, Pegli, Prà, and Voltri) collect a characteristic smell from their area — one they either like (white plastic bag) or dislike (yellow plastic bag)
Collection of Seventy Smells.
THIS IS ME | SONO IO| 2025 Seven video portraits of women, filmed on Bus No. 1 traveling from the city center to Voltri (You will find all portraits under ‚interviews‘: watch the videos and read the text in English and Italian)
VOCI ASSENTI | ABSENT VOICES | 2025 Video | 02:24
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
TALKING TO STRANGERS | PARLARE CON SCONOSCIUTI| 2025
STANZA BUIA | DARK ROOM| 2025 Five hundred photos of women taken on bus Nr. 1 Soundtrack of the night bus created by students of the N. Paganini Conservatory, Genoa
DOORS | 2025
EXIT | 2025
FROM GENOA CENTRO TO VOLTRI – THROUGH THE PONENTE COAST| 2025 4 Videos | each about 40:00
Interviews with LUCA BORZANI (historian) and LUISA STAGI (sociologist) | 2025 Video | 18:24
Partner Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova, AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti, Medì Centro Studi Migrazioni nel Mediterraneo, Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini
Sponsor Villa Montallegro
Sponsor tecnici Teatro della Tosse, Fuoriscena, A Cà dö Dria, WOMEN IN THE DARK Switzerland
Studentesse e studenti partecipanti Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova – Orsola Bruzzone, Beatrice Coletti, Vittoria De Barbieri, Chiara pagano, Andrea Pistone, Uliana Mushi, Emma Scala Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini di Genova – Chiara Ciancarini, Violetta Ghrzn Ghersina
in collaboration with Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura; AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti; Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova; Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini; Centro Studi Medí
THE OTHER DIRECTION The global debate about the direction we are heading in—whether it’s the right direction, the wrong direction, no direction at all, or a completely lost direction—has become an existential question, felt even in the microcosm of everyday life. The art project THE OTHER DIRECTION explores this very notion through the lived experiences of passengers on Genoa’s No. 1 bus. As the bus moves in one physical direction—from the city center to the outskirts—the project traces another direction: that of the untold stories of women commuters.
STANZA BUIA | DARK ROOM Five hundred photos of women taken on bus Nr. 1 Soundtrack of the night bus created by students of the N. Paganini Conservatory, Genoa
ODORE | SMELLS | 2025 Video | 11:32 (no sound) Ten women from each of the seven neighborhoods along the route from the city center to Voltri (Centro, Sampierdarena, Cornigliano, Sestri Ponente, Pegli, Prà, and Voltri) collect a characteristic smell from their area — one they either like (white plastic bag) or dislike (yellow plastic bag)
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
SONO IO| THIS IS ME | 2025 Seven video portraits of women, filmed on Bus No. 1 traveling from the city center to Voltri (You will find all portraits under ‚interviews‘: watch the videos and read the text in English and Italian)
VOCI ASSENTI | ABSENT VOICES | 2025 Video | 02:24
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
Partner Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova, AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti, Medì Centro Studi Migrazioni nel Mediterraneo, Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini
Sponsor Villa Montallegro
Sponsor tecnici Teatro della Tosse, Fuoriscena, A Cà dö Dria, WOMEN IN THE DARK Switzerland
Studentesse e studenti partecipanti Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova – Orsola Bruzzone, Beatrice Coletti, Vittoria De Barbieri, Chiara pagano, Andrea Pistone, Uliana Mushi, Emma Scala Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini di Genova – Chiara Ciancarini, Violetta Ghrzn Ghersina
in collaboration with Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura; AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti; Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova; Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini; Centro Studi Medí
THE OTHER DIRECTION The global debate about the direction we are heading in—whether it’s the right direction, the wrong direction, no direction at all, or a completely lost direction—has become an existential question, felt even in the microcosm of everyday life. The art project THE OTHER DIRECTION explores this very notion through the lived experiences of passengers on Genoa’s No. 1 bus. As the bus moves in one physical direction—from the city center to the outskirts—the project traces another direction: that of the untold stories of women commuters.
PARLARE CON SCONOSCIUTI| TALKING TO STRANGERS | 2025
DOORS| 2025
EXIT| 2025
STANZA BUIA | DARK ROOM| 2025 Five hundred photos of women taken on bus Nr. 1 Soundtrack of the night bus created by students of the N. Paganini Conservatory, Genoa
WELCOME| 2025
SMELLS |ODORE| 2025 Video | 11:32 (no sound) Ten women from each of the seven neighborhoods along the route from the city center to Voltri (Centro, Sampierdarena, Cornigliano, Sestri Ponente, Pegli, Prà, and Voltri) collect a characteristic smell from their area — one they either like (white plastic bag) or dislike (yellow plastic bag)
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
THIS IS ME | SONO IO| 2025 Seven video portraits of women, filmed on Bus No. 1 traveling from the city center to Voltri (You will find all portraits under ‚interviews‘: watch the videos and read the text in English and Italian)
VOCI ASSENTI | ABSENT VOICES | 2025 Video | 02:24
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
Partner Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova, AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti, Medì Centro Studi Migrazioni nel Mediterraneo, Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini
Sponsor Villa Montallegro
Sponsor tecnici Teatro della Tosse, Fuoriscena, A Cà dö Dria, WOMEN IN THE DARK Switzerland
Studentesse e studenti partecipanti Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova – Orsola Bruzzone, Beatrice Coletti, Vittoria De Barbieri, Chiara pagano, Andrea Pistone, Uliana Mushi, Emma Scala Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini di Genova – Chiara Ciancarini, Violetta Ghrzn Ghersina
in collaboration with Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura; AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti; Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova; Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini; Centro Studi Medí
THE OTHER DIRECTION The global debate about the direction we are heading in—whether it’s the right direction, the wrong direction, no direction at all, or a completely lost direction—has become an existential question, felt even in the microcosm of everyday life. The art project THE OTHER DIRECTION explores this very notion through the lived experiences of passengers on Genoa’s No. 1 bus. As the bus moves in one physical direction—from the city center to the outskirts—the project traces another direction: that of the untold stories of women commuters.
SONO IO| THIS IS ME | 2025 Seven video portraits of women, filmed on Bus No. 1 traveling from the city center to Voltri (You will find all portraits under ‚interviews‘: watch the videos and read the text in English and Italian)
VOCI ASSENTI | ABSENT VOICES | 2025 Video | 02:24
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
STANZA BUIA | DARK ROOM| 2025 Five hundred photos of women taken on bus Nr. 1 Soundtrack of the night bus created by students of the N. Paganini Conservatory, Genoa
WELCOME| 2025
ODORE| SMELLS | 2025 Video | 11:32 (no sound) Ten women from each of the seven neighborhoods along the route from the city center to Voltri (Centro, Sampierdarena, Cornigliano, Sestri Ponente, Pegli, Prà, and Voltri) collect a characteristic smell from their area — one they either like (white plastic bag) or dislike (yellow plastic bag)
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
Partner Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova, AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti, Medì Centro Studi Migrazioni nel Mediterraneo, Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini
Sponsor Villa Montallegro
Sponsor tecnici Teatro della Tosse, Fuoriscena, A Cà dö Dria, WOMEN IN THE DARK Switzerland
Studentesse e studenti partecipanti Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova – Orsola Bruzzone, Beatrice Coletti, Vittoria De Barbieri, Chiara pagano, Andrea Pistone, Uliana Mushi, Emma Scala Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini di Genova – Chiara Ciancarini, Violetta Ghrzn Ghersina
in collaboration with Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura; AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti; Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova; Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini; Centro Studi Medí
THE OTHER DIRECTION The global debate about the direction we are heading in—whether it’s the right direction, the wrong direction, no direction at all, or a completely lost direction—has become an existential question, felt even in the microcosm of everyday life. The art project THE OTHER DIRECTION explores this very notion through the lived experiences of passengers on Genoa’s No. 1 bus. As the bus moves in one physical direction—from the city center to the outskirts—the project traces another direction: that of the untold stories of women commuters.
WELCOME| 2025
SMELLS |ODORE| 2025 Video | 11:32 (no sound) Ten women from each of the seven neighborhoods along the route from the city center to Voltri (Centro, Sampierdarena, Cornigliano, Sestri Ponente, Pegli, Prà, and Voltri) collect a characteristic smell from their area — one they either like (white plastic bag) or dislike (yellow plastic bag)
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
THIS IS ME | SONO IO| 2025 Seven video portraits of women, filmed on Bus No. 1 traveling from the city center to Voltri (You will find all portraits under ‚interviews‘: watch the videos and read the text in English and Italian)
VOCI ASSENTI | ABSENT VOICES | 2025 Video | 02:24
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
TALKING TO STRANGERS | PARLARE CON SCONOSCIUTI| 2025
STANZA BUIA | DARK ROOM| 2025 Five hundred photos of women taken on bus Nr. 1 Soundtrack of the night bus created by students of the N. Paganini Conservatory, Genoa
DOORS | 2025
EXIT | 2025
FROM GENOA CENTRO TO VOLTRI – THROUGH THE PONENTE COAST| 2025 4 Videos | each about 40:00
Interviews with LUCA BORZANI (historian) and LUISA STAGI (sociologist) | 2025 Video | 18:24
Partner Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova, AMT Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti, Medì Centro Studi Migrazioni nel Mediterraneo, Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini
Sponsor Villa Montallegro
Sponsor tecnici Teatro della Tosse, Fuoriscena, A Cà dö Dria, WOMEN IN THE DARK Switzerland
Studentesse e studenti partecipanti Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti di Genova – Orsola Bruzzone, Beatrice Coletti, Vittoria De Barbieri, Chiara pagano, Andrea Pistone, Uliana Mushi, Emma Scala Conservatorio Niccolò Paganini di Genova – Chiara Ciancarini, Violetta Ghrzn Ghersina
Pinakothek der Moderne | Denkraum Deutschland | Munich | Germany | 2021
Group Exhibition
WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens against discrimination and violence in collaboration Miro Craemer | Curator & Initiator | DENKRAUM DEUTSCHLAND | Pinakothek der Moderne & Pia Brüner | Art Education | Pinakothek der Moderne
FEMININE – THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL POWER OF THE FEMININE IN ART AND SOCIETY
AUFRUHR DES SCHWEIGENS | 2021 The installation consists of white shirts with texts in around 40 languages by 690 women from Germany who have written their experiences with discrimination and violence, but also hopes and demands, on these clothing with a red pen.
WOMEN | 2021 Video | 20:00 min
17 women from 5 countries (Zimbabwe, Switzerland, China, India and Mauritius) read their text, which they wrote with a red pen on white clothing. It is about their experiences with discrimination and violence.
The video work WOMEN is part of the international, transdisciplinary and participatory art project WOMEN IN THE DARK.
HE(A)R | 2021 Audio-Installation | 60:00
60 women each read a text, written by 60 women from Germany – selected from the 690 shirts.
BOOK | 2021 661 transcribed texts translated into German, 29 photos – each page of the book shows one text or a shirt, written by a woman from Germany.
HOW SOCIAL IS ART? Chances and limits of an interaction
Mit Kunst gegen sexualisierte Gewalt? February 14, 2019 | Radio Dreyeckland | Germany Interview with Claudia Meise | Notruf Göttingen | participating in WOMEN IN THE DARK (in German) 1:58 min
From left: Pia Brüner | Carolina Trautner | Franziska Greber | Antje Krüger | Dr. Monika Schröttle | Susan Bühler, DieKulturBotschaft, Moderator | Miro Craemer, initiator & curator DENKRAUM DEUTSCHLAND
STATEMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS
Carolina Trautner | Bavarian State Minister for Family, Labor and Social Affairs, Commissioner for Women’s Issues of the Bavarian State Government « […] that many women have written down their oppressive stories here in order to then strike their liberation blow on this wall. I find that incredibly impressive – I think it’s ingenious, linking social issues and art.»
Pia Brüner | Art Education Pinakothek der Moderne « […] because through Franziska Greber’s art people come into contact with each other on very different levels. […] it’s a wonderful example for me of how I imagine the museum, as a lively place, as a socially relevant place, and as a place where people meet and exchange ideas.»
Dr. Monika Schröttle | Political and Social Scientist « […] This scientific, political and artistic approach and bringing together […] is a whole other level of seeing and recognizing things […] you want to climb up a ladder and read everything […] and like to do more and further evaluate these treasures that are in there.»
BACKSTAGE – Experiences with the international art project WOMEN IN THE DARK Workshop with the artist & initiator Franziska Greber and other participants in the project
Antje Krüger & Patricia Kielinger, project partners and coordinators WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany Doris Felbinger, BIG e.V. Berliner Initiative gegen Gewalt an Frauen (BIG e.V. and der PARITÄTISCHE Bayern implemented WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens in Germany) Ute Brechtelsbauer from Frauenhaus Nürnberg, one of the participating organizations across 12 federal states, provided support to the women throughout their writing process. Nina Wurman (implementation of the sound installation) Michael Wladarsch (implementation of the book) | Anja Papenfuss (participant in the sewing process)
STATEMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS
Antje Krüger | Project Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany «The idea to do that came up in Switzerland when you presented to us, what you had done in other countries – and then for us very quickly the thought that this is also possible here with us. […] Before that, it was partly unimaginable. […] There are always people who you can inspire with this idea […] The theme of this DENKRAUM ‘feminine’ and the examination of the potential of femininity in art and society, that also has something to do with this project.»
Michael Wladarsch| cultural organizer, artist & designer «Your art […] creates an abstract size, which is simply not comprehensible, to open […] where one is touched. […] The care with which each individual shirt, each individual woman, each fate is valued and also respected […] and that, in my view, distinguishes an art that interferes and that is political and that also has a statement. […] an artist who has very good ideas and a very good concept to make a situation visible.»
Nina Wurman | Musician «It was very clear to me that I was doing this. […] Everything kind of fell into place. […] What I totally underestimated is what it means for women to read these texts.»
Ute Brechtelsbauer | Social Worker « […] exciting how the mood has changed […] suddenly a spirit of upbeat has arisen […]. I was here with five women […] it was so moving.»
Anja Papenfuss | Young BPW – Business and Professional Women Club «I was able to become part of such a big whole […] that alone made a big impression on me […] it was quite an extraordinary work for me.»
SUPPORT Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales
CURATORS Miro Craemer | Artist and Social Designer | Initiator TOGETTHERE-Experience: GIVE ME 5 | DENKRAUM DEUTSCHLAND | Munich | Germany
Pia Brüner | Art Education | Pinakothek der Moderne | Munich | Germany
Franziska Greber in collaboration with – Der PARITÄTISCHE in Bayern (Antje Krüger, project partner WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany) – Berliner Initiative gegen Gewalt an Frauen BIG e.V. (Patricia Kielinger, Projectpartner WITD Germany)
for the nationwide organization and coordination of the institutions involved – Frauenunterstützungssysteme, for carrying out the writing process and accompanying the women – Nina Wurman, for her collaboration in planning and realizing the audio installation HE(A)R – all the people who transcribed the texts on the shirts and translated them into almost 40 languages – 84GHz in Munich, for conceptual thinking and realization of the book
NOWHERE NoWhere NowHere – an art project on exclusion, social & political participation
The focus is on five people who live in Genoa and whose stories are connected to the sea in various ways. They talk about their experiences with exclusion and visions on participation. It shows a diverse and colorful society. The potential lost due to exclusion also becomes visible.
The casual encounters took place on the street, where the interviews were also conducted. The original texts and translations have not been censored, edited or corrected.
The voices of the participants are to be listened in an Audio of 32 min and to and read in the opposite space.
NOWHERE NoWhere NowHere
By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
INITIATOR & CURATOR Li Dan | Director | Beijing | China
The Baturu Cultural Festival Beijing units with the China Women’s Film Festival in Hong Kong to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)
Speaking often conflicts with various interests. What women express, when, and why depends on many factors, including country, culture, and context. Values serve as an important reference, as does a sense of safety. The line between voices that resonate and make an impact—and those that fall silent again—is very thin.
BOOKS | 2019 The two books gather all the texts from the video VOICES, bringing together the perspectives of women from Switzerland, India, and Zimbabwe.
