witd: WOMEN IN THE DARK

AUFRUHR DES SCHWEIGENS | Rostock

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Rathaus Rostock | Schwerin, Waren & Greifswald | Germany | 2022

Solo Show

‚WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens‘ in collaboration with CORA State Coordination Office Against Domestic and Sexualized Violence | Mecklenburg-Vorpommern & Die Beginen | Frauen Kulturverein Rostock & State Council for Crime Prevention | Mecklenburg-Vorpommern & HMT Hochschule für Musik und Theater | Rostock

the whole exhibition

aufruhr des schweigens | 2022
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.

FACETS OF PARTICIPATION | 2022
Video | 75:00 min

WOMEN | 2021
Video | 20:00 min

BOOK | WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens | 2021
The book includes all 690 texts – written by women from Germany

Franziska Greber with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Consumer Protection Jacqueline Bernhardt – the patron of the exhibition ‘WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens’

(from left: Wenke Brüdgam; Sarah Kesselberg  Eva-Maria Kröger; Franziska Greber; Jacqueline Bernhardt)

Rostocker Rathaus UMWELT UND GESELLSCHAFT
Ausstellung in Rostock gegen Gewalt an Frauen eröffnet | Umwelt und Gesellschaft | Meldung vom 30.11.2022

events

HE(A)R

Landesweite Standorte

HE(A)R | 2021
Hochschule für Musik und Theater HMT | Rostock
Audio | 60:00 min

Panel on ART AND SOCIETY – SOCIETY AND ART

How does art affect the social, societal and political space?

Flyer Paneldiscussion

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Dr. Annette Winter-Süss | Kunstwissenschaftlerin | Direktorin Kunstmuseum Schwaan
Video | 01:13 min

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PATRONAGE
Jacqueline Bernhardt | Minister for Justice, Equality and Consumer Protection of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 

SUPPORT
Wenke Brüdgam | Equal Opportunities Officer for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

COLLABORATION
Antje Krüger | Project Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany | President WOMEN IN THE DARK Deutschland e.V.

WAVE OF VOICES

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Victoria Memorial Hall | Kolkata | India | 2017


Solo Show

Voices of Courage and Sorrow – ‚WOMEN IN THE DARK‘ in collaboration with Anuradha Kapoor | Director  SWAYAM | Women’s Rights Organization | Member of UN Women Advisory Group for India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan | Kolkata

the whole exhibition

WAVE OF VOICES | 2017
216 dupattas/scarves with texts about discrimination and violence written by women from India

Black Boards | 2017
selected texts

Nabaneeta Dev Sen

ECHO | 2017

VERNISSAGE

RESISTANCE | 2021

Anouradha Kapoor; Franziska Greber; Nabaneeta Dev Sen, Writer, Scholar, Women Writers’ Association of West Bengal, Founder and President SOI; Dr. Yayanta Sengupta, Director and Curator Victoria Memorial Hall

PHOTOS | 2017
writing process
&
WOMEN | 2017
Video | 30:00 min
women from India read their texts

BOOK | 2017
216 transcribed texts by women from India

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MAKING OF
Video | 05:20 min

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CURATOR
Dr. Jayanta Sengupta | Director | Victoria Memorial Hall | Kolkata


OPENING SPEECHES
Anuradha Kapoor | Director and Founder | SWAYAM | Kolkata | Project Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK India
Nabaneeta Dev Sen | writer | scholar | winner of two literary awards | Padma Shri Award 2000 & Sahitya Akademi Award 1999 | Kolkata


ADVISORS
Saumik Chakraborty & Piyali Sadhukan | Scenography and Art | Kolkata
(Also responsible for the construction of the installations)

ECHO

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Victoria Memorial Hall | Kolkata | India | 2017

Solo Show

Voices of Courage and Sorrow – ‚WOMEN IN THE DARK‘ in collaboration with Anuradha Kapoor | Director  SWAYAM | Women’s Rights Organization committed to ending Violence against Women and Children | Member of UN Women Advisory Group for India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan | Kolkata

the whole exhibition

ECHO | 2017

VERNISSAGE

RESISTANCE | 2021

Anouradha Kapoor; Franziska Greber; Nabaneeta Dev Sen, Writer, Scholar, Women Writers’ Association of West Bengal, Founder and President SOI; Dr. Yayanta Sengupta, Director and Curator Victoria Memorial Hall

WAVE OF VOICES | 2017
216 dupattas/scarves with texts about discrimination and violence written by women from India

Black Boards | 2017
selected texts

Nabaneeta Dev Sen

PHOTOS | 2017
writing process
&
WOMEN | 2017
Video | 30:00 min
women from India read their texts

BOOK | 2017
216 transcribed texts written by women from India

By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
accept

MAKING OF
Video | 05:20 min

more details

CURATOR
Dr. Jayanta Sengupta | Director | Victoria Memorial Hall | Kolkata


OPENING SPEECHES
Anuradha Kapoor | Director and Founder | SWAYAM | Kolkata | Project Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK India
Nabaneeta Dev Sen | writer | scholar | winner of two literary awards | Padma Shri Award 2000 & Sahitya Akademi Award 1999 | Kolkata


ADVISORS
Saumik Chakraborty & Piyali Sadhukan | Scenography and Art | Kolkata
(Also responsible for the construction of the installations)

RESISTANCE

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Victoria Memorial Hall | Kolkata | India | 2017


Solo Show

Voices of Courage and Sorrow – ‚WOMEN IN THE DARK‘ in collaboration with Anuradha Kapoor | Director  SWAYAM | Women’s Rights Organization | Member of UN Women Advisory Group for India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan | Kolkata

the whole exhibition

RESISTANCE | 2021

Anouradha Kapoor; Franziska Greber; Nabaneeta Dev Sen, Writer, Scholar, Women Writers’ Association of West Bengal, Founder and President SOI; Dr. Yayanta Sengupta, Director and Curator Victoria Memorial Hall

ECHO | 2017

VERNISSAGE

WAVE OF VOICES | 2017
216 dupattas/scarves with texts about discrimination and violence written by women from India

Black Boards | 2017
selected texts

Nabaneeta Dev Sen

PHOTOS | 2017
writing process
&
WOMEN | 2017
Video | 30:00 min
women from India read their texts

BOOK | 2017
216 transcribed texts written by women from India

By loading this video you accept YouTube’s data protection regulations
accept

MAKING OF
Video | 05:20 min

more details

CURATOR
Dr. Jayanta Sengupta | Director | Victoria Memorial Hall | Kolkata


OPENING SPEECHES
Anuradha Kapoor | Director and Founder | SWAYAM | Kolkata | Project Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK India
Nabaneeta Dev Sen | writer | scholar | winner of two literary awards | Padma Shri Award 2000 & Sahitya Akademi Award 1999 | Kolkata


ADVISORS
Saumik Chakraborty & Piyali Sadhukan | Scenography and Art | Kolkata
(Also responsible for the construction of the installations)

HE(A)R

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Reinbeckhallen | Berlin | Germany | 2024

Solo Show

‚WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens‘ in collaboration with Berliner Initiative gegen Gewalt an Frauen (BIG e.V.) & Stiftung Reinbeckhallen

the whole exhibition

HE(A)R | 2024
Audio installation | 60:00 min

AUFRUHR DES SCHWEIGENS | 2024
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 IN THE DARK – Stiftung Reinbeckhallen

Micha Klapp | State Secretary for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination for the State of Berlin

INVISIBLE | 2024

BACKWARDS | 2024

WOMEN | 2024
Video | 20:00 min

18 women from 6 countries read the text, which they wrote on a white shirt (in India on a scarf) . They talk about their experiences of discrimination and violence.

SILENCE(D) | 2024

3 socio-political and 3 personal questions on the topic of silence and speaking:
What should we talk about? — Is there something I have never told anyone? —
What do we avoid? — What are my fears? —
What changes are needed to lead this dialogue? — What requirements are needed to discuss my concern?

Senator Cansel Kiziltepe | Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination for the State of Berlin

60 women read 60 texts, written by women from Germany

FACETS OF PARTICIPATION | 2022
Video | 75:00 min

BOOK | 2021
the book includes all 690 texts – written by women from Germany on their shirts – in the original language and the German translation

BACKSTAGE | 2024 
China:        Video | 03:07 min
India:         Video | 03:37 min
Mauritius: Video | 02:31 min

AND NOW … ?
Transdisciplinary responses to 690 voices

The discussion offers a platform for exchange between experts from the fields of art, society and politics and the audience.
The event was organized by BIG e.V. with the support of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Berlin

More information (in German): UND JETZT… 

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Walking through the Exhibition
Video | 02:40 min


DANCE IMPROVISATION IN DIALOGUE WITH ‘WOMEN IN THE DARK  – aufruhr des schweigens‘

Maira Aldana Baeza | Dancer | Santiago de Chile | Chile
Smilla Osswald | Singer | Berlin | Germany

The Performance was a participatory project in the exhibition ‘WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens’

More information: Maira Aldana Baeza – Stiftung Reinbeckhallen

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Video | 03:08 min (Excerpt of the 15-minute Performance)

‘THE POWER OF THE ARTS – TRANSFORMING SOCIETY’

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Video | 02:20 min

WOMEN IN THE DARK was awarded an art prize by THE POWER OF THE ARTS. The jury states that the project “positions itself against looking the other way and remaining silent and is convincing not only through its relevance, but also through its high artistic quality.”

More information: Women in the Dark – THE POWER OF THE ARTS

Torsten Albig, Managing Director Philip Morris Germany | Franziska Greber | Dr. Doris Felbinger, Managing Director BIG e.V.

GUESTBOOK | GÄSTEBUCH | 2024

interviews

RESONANCE FROM VISITORS | 2024

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Video | 32:00 min

(in German & English)

events

PERFORMANCE

Maira Aldana Baeza | Dancer | Santiago de Chile | Chile
Smilla Osswald | Singer | Berlin | Germany

The Dance Improvisation was a participatory project in the exhibition ‘WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens’

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Video | 03:08 min (Excerpt of the 15-minute Performance)

PANEL DISCUSSION

AND NOW … ?
Transdisciplinary responses to 690 voices

The discussion offers a platform for exchange between experts from the fields of art, society and politics and the audience.
The event was organized by BIG e.V. with the support of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Berlin

More information (in German): UND JETZT… 

more details

SUPPORT
THE POWER OF THE ARTS by Philip Morris GmbH
BMU Veranstaltungstechnik | Berlin

OPENING SPEECHES
Senator Cansel Kiziltepe | Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination for the State of Berlin

Jana Sperling | Director Stiftung Reinbeckhallen | Collection for Contemporary Art | Berlin

Dr. Doris Felbinger | Managing Director BIG Berlin | Collaboration Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany | Collaboration Partner for the Exhibition WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens, Reinbeckhallen

Patricia Kielinger | Former Coordinator BIG | Psychosocial Supporter in Criminal Trials | Project Partner WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany

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Meixi Exhibition Hall | Changsha | China | 2018

International Group Exhibition

the whole exhibition

LOAD | 2018
(The installation LOAD was banned and dismantled by the government of the Hunan Province before the opening)

IMBALANCE | 2018
shirts & dupattas with texts by women from 6 countries Switzerland, Simbabwe, China, India, Mauritius and the Seychelles

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CURATOR
Zhen Guo | Artist | New York | USA

IMBALANCE

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Meixi Exhibition Hall | Changsha | China | 2018

International Group Exhibition

‚WOMEN IN THE DARK‘ participates in the Feminist Art Exhibition on EXISTENCE

the whole exhibition

IMBALANCE | 2018
shirts & dupattas with texts by women from 6 countries (Switzerland, Simbabwe, China, India, Mauritius and the Seychelles)

LOAD | 2018
shirts | wigs | metal grid | 600x400x100cm

(The installation LOAD was banned and dismantled by the government of the Hunan Province before the opening)

more details

INITIATOR & CURATOR
Zhen Guo | Artist | New York | USA

AUFRUHR DES SCHWEIGENS | Freiburg

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Meckelhalle | Freiburg | Germany | 2023

Solo Show

‚WOMEN IN THE DARK – aufruhr des schweigens‘ in collaboration with the Freiburger Fachstelle Intervention gegen Häusliche Gewalt (FRIG) & Stelle zur Gleichberechtigung der Frau Freiburg

the whole exhibition

Baden-Württemberg was one of 12 federal states of Germany participating in WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany. 690 women wrote their experiences, hopes and demands on white shirts with red permanent markers.

aufruhr des schweigens | 2023
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 | 2022
Video | 20:00 min

BOOK | 2021
The book includes all 690 texts – written by women from Germany

HE(A)R | 2021
60 women read 60 texts in 11 languages – selected from the 690 shirts, written by women from Germany
Audio installation | 60 min

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FACETS OF PARTICIPATION | 2022
Video | 75:00 min

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Martina Raab-Heck | Organizer | Freiburger Fachstelle Intervention gegen Häusliche Gewalt (FRIG)
Video | 03:35 Min

VERNISSAGE

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Antje Krüger | Poject Partner | WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany
Video | 04:10 Min

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Lars Hopp | Board Member | Director Sparkasse| Freiburg
Video | 01:37 Min

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Saskia Tröndle | Board Member Frauen- und Kinderschutzhaus & Freiburger Fachstelle Intervention gegen Häusliche Gewalt (FRIG)
Video | 03:51 Min

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Simone Thomas | City Women’s Representative | Stelle zur Gleichberechtigung der Frau
Video | 02:06 Min

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Dipl. Ing. agr. Nicoline von Brasch | Managing Director | Klinik in der Zarten | Hinterzarten
Video | 03:48 Min

Media

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SWR Aktuell | Ina Held | May 8, 2023 | 02:34 Min

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MAKING OF

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interviews

RESONANCE OF VISITORS

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Video | 19:10 Min

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OPENING SPEECHES
Antje Krüger | Poject Partner | WOMEN IN THE DARK Germany
Lars Hopp | Board Member | Director Sparkasse| Freiburg
Saskia Tröndle | Board Member Frauen- und Kinderschutzhaus & Freiburger Fachstelle Intervention gegen Häusliche Gewalt (FRIG)
Dipl. Ing. agr. Nicoline von Brasch | Managing Director | Klinik in der Zarten | Hinterzarten

UNTOLD STORIES

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Crossroads Centre Art Space | Beijing | China | 2016

International Group Exhibition

‚WOMEN IN THE DARK‘ in collaboration with Li Dan | Founder, Director & Curator Crossroads Centre

the whole exhibition

UNTOLD STORIES

Texts
Five shirts featuring texts by women from China, displayed on the floor.

3 Photos

Julia Broussard | Head of the Office | UN Women China
Li Dan | Director & Curator | Crossroads Centre | Beijing

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Reuters China | Excerpt | 00:42 min

The Shirts

This shirt had been laid secretly among the others the day after the opening of the exhibition.

Exhibition at China World Trade Centre | Trends  Lounge | Beijing

Photo
Woman from Zimbabwe, writing on a white shirt with a red pen | 50x80cm
(Red as a color was not accepted by the World Trade Center, I opted for black and white photos.)

Photo
Text by a woman from Mauritius | 60x80cm

Photo
Text by a woman from Zimbabwe | 50x80cm

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CURATOR Crossroads Centre Art Space
Li Dan | Director
Chinese NGO organization that seeks to raise awareness about women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights in China through the use of film and art


CURATORS World Trade Center
Ms. Roselyn | General Manager of Trends Lounge | China World Trade Center | Beijing
Li Dan | Director | Crossroads Centre | Beijing

CUT THE ROPES

UNTOLD STORIES
500 white shirts | metal construction | fabric | red thread | 6 shirts with texts by women from China | Ø 300cm

–

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Crossroads Center Art Space | Beijing | 2017

Solo Performance

‚WOMEN IN THE DARK‘ in collaboration with UN Women China and the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing

the whole exhibition

UNTOLD STORIES

CUT THE ROPES

more details

Solo Performance in Collaboration with NGOs, Woman Rights Organizations & UN Women China

For my art installation UNTOLD STORIES, 500 white shirts were tied together with thick ropes to form a huge globe. There are only a few shirts lying on the ground that are connected to the globe with a thin line of blood. This pile of shirts found their way out of the harmful prison of silence that is the globe, which allowed them to be written on.

We are here today to portray our determination to break the silence of women affected by all kinds of gender-based violence and discrimination.

The event is intended to show and confirm China’s social and societal support for these women, the seriousness of the violence, and the commitment to end it. It allows the WOMEN IN THE DARK to express themselves and assures them that people want to hear what they have to say. The act of cutting the ropes by members of NGOs and human rights organizations helps the shirts fall down and “frees“ them from being held back. These shirts will be picked up by professionals and handed out to the women who want to speak out.

In 2016 China created their first law against domestic violence. This law is very politically significant; however the cultural roots of domestic violence still need to be changed in order to remove pressure and dramatic consequences for the women. Women need to feel safe to report violent husbands and family members to the police and to seek separation from their abusers.

Franziska Greber
Artist & Psychotherapist
Switzerland