20. March 2016 - 05. June 2016
CROSS DRESSING

Conchita Wurst
Conchita Wurst
Foto: © Reiner Riedler
What happens when a man dresses as a woman and what happens when a woman dresses as a man? Cross Dressing, wearing clothing attributed to the opposite gender, is an ancient social phenomenon which is associated with varying meanings and rituals in different cultures and eras. Cross Dressing can be a costume – including in theatre and film – but it can also be an expression of gender identity. It can be a political statement as well as a disguise to escape adverse conditions. Furthermore, Cross Dressing exists as a cultural or ritualistic procedure.
Janis & Ken
Janis & Ken
Foto: © Hana Pesut

In our day and age and in our society, a woman in men's clothing is generally accepted. A man in women's clothing will have more difficulties. In traditional societies – e.g. in Albania even to this day – a woman can lead a man's life in men's clothing if she adheres to a fixed set of rules including chastity. Pepa Hristova has been portraying these “Sworn Virgins”.

Janis & Ken
Janis & Ken
Foto: © Hana Pesut

Since the 1960ies, Cross Dressing gained sociopolitical importance through the LGBT movement. Drag-Kings and Drag-Queens disrupted gender clichés and social norms the queer movement felt discriminated by. Today – in the times of Conchita Wurst – dealing with gender roles is often practised on a public stage and as a form self-presentation: online, in social networks and on television. However, gender based role reversal has a long tradition, as documented on early 20th century postcards showing male impersonators and female impersonators.

Hakije
Hakije
Foto: © Pepa Hristova

This exhibition includes photos by Annette Frick (*1957, Berlin) "Fuck Gender", Pepa Hristova (*1977 | Bulgaria) “Sworn Virgins”, Klaus G. Kohn (*1957 | Braunschweig) "Mittendrin", Hana Pesut (*1983 | Canada) "Switcheroo", Reiner Riedler (*1968, Vienna) "Conchita Wurst"; Iris Segundo (* 1986 | Madrid) "KING _ a short film", Ingo Taubhorn (*1957 | Dortmund) "Die Kleider meiner Mutter" (“My mother's clothing”) and Jon Uriarte (*1982 | Spain) "The Men Under the Influence ..." as well as some photographs from the beginning of the 20th century.

Opening: Sunday, 20 March 2016, 11am until 1pm
Project management: Wiebke Ratzeburg
Monday, 4 April 2016, 7pm
Sworn Virgins
Photographer Pepa Hristova will talk about her project and give a historical introduction of Albanian women who lead the lives of men. 4 €

King Jutta
King Jutta
Foto: © Annette Frick

Guided tours with project manager Wiebke Ratzeburg
Monday, 04.04.2016, 6:00 pm
Monday, 18.04.2016, 5:30 pm
3,50 €, children 1,50 €, further children of the family 50 cent each.
Combi-Ticket guided tour + talk at April 4: 6 €
Guided tours for groups on work days: 55 € / on Sundays and public holidays: 65 €, school classes: 30 €
Please inquire for tours by calling 0731 161 7700.+