The #MeToo movement, feminist strikes, feminist demands for the eradication of gender violence often stand in various ways under the spotlight lately, very often in a tragic way. Additionally, although female artistic creation and the feminist approach to the arts do not necessarily constitute a new or innovative research perspective in the 21st century, however, and for various reasons, historically, this perspective does not seem to be a priority in the research and critique of artistic fields.
In the wake of these international debates on gender and identities and the general trend of exploring women's creative work, the new exhibition-production by MOMus-Thessaloniki Museum of Photography under the title “HerStories. Photographic practices, 1974-2024” seeks to showcase the domestic photographic production of women, from the 1970s onwards. The exhibition will be hosted in the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography and the Experimental Center for the Arts of MOMus, from 17 May until 15 September 2024; forty artists and photographers, four curators and eight researchers contribute in mapping this particular field of endeavor for the first time in Greece.
The exhibition is structured in three complementary narratives that seek to cover the multiple and complex dimensions of women's photographic practices over these five decades: the approaches to issues of women's identity regardless of whether they were self-determined as "feminist" or not, the representations of social and political realities through documentary photography, and the explorations of the photographic medium itself through works that are often highly experimental in nature. Integrating these three narratives, the exhibition aims to display the diverse and dynamic contribution of women in the field of photography: it presents the complexity of the female experience, the socio-political context in which they operate, and the innovative artistic ideas they use.
A bilingual edition accompanies the exhibition and functions as a supplement, focused on the history of women's photographic creation in Greece from the 19th century to the Metapolitefsi period (meaning change of regime), with texts by scholars in the field.
In addition, the 5th International Conference “Fast Forward” under the title “Hidden (Hi)stories: New Perspectives of Women’s Photographies” will take place in Thessaloniki, from 17 until 19 May 2024, at the “Xanthippi Hoippel” amphitheater at MOMus-Museum of Contemporary Art (TIF-Helexpo premises) in Thessaloniki, co-organised by the MOMus-Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, the University for the Creative Arts, and the University of Sunderland. Keynote speakers include Françoise Vergès, political scientist, activist, and author of the book “A decolonial feminism”, in discussion with Angela Dimitrakaki, and Alexandra Moschovi, Professor of Photography and Curating.
No need for prior registration; all presentations will take place in English and Greek (simultaneous translation will be provided). The full program can be found here https://fastforward.photography/our-projects/call-for-papers-fast-forward-conference-5-in-thessaloniki-greece/ .
Exhibition curated by/Publication edited by: Iro Katsaridou, Areti Leopoulou, Alexandra Moschovi, Penelope Petsini
Participating photographers-artists: Aimilia Balaska; Christina Calbari; Lizzie Calligas; Catherine Chatzidimitriou; Athina Chroni; Lydia Dambassina; Maria Dara; Christina Dimitriadis; Marilia Fotopoulou; Louisa Gouliamaki; Athena Kazolea; Katerina Kalogeraki; Katerina Kaloudi; Olga Kaloussi; Maria Klonaris-Katerina Thomadaki; Eleni Maligoura; Natassa Markidou; Georgia Matsamaki; Maria Mavropoulou; Despina Meimaroglou; Eleni Mouzakiti; Eleni Mylonas; Lia Nalbantidou; Chryssa Nikoleri; Effie Paleologou; Rea Papadopoulou; Myrto Papadopoulos; Maria Paschalidou; Roula Patra; Paola Revenioti; Fany Sarri; Angela Svoronou; Maria Stefossi; Danae Stratou; Penelope Thomaidi; Niki Typaldou; Christina Vazou; Irini Vourloumis; Nayia Yiakoumaki; Nikoletta Zissi.
Authors of publication texts: Glafki Gotsi, Marianna Karali, Iro Katsaridou, Areti Leopoulou, Alexandra Moschovi, Penelope Petsini, Aliki Tsirgialou, Evi Papadopoulou.
The conference «Hidden (Hi)stories: New Perspectives of Women’s Photographies» is part of the parallel events programme of the 20th Thessaloniki International Book Fair.
The MOMus-Thessaloniki Museum of Photography participates with the exhibition “HerStories. Photographic Practices, 1974-2024” in the parallel events programme of the EuroPride 2024 in Thessaloniki.
Parallel Events Programme
MOMus-Experimental Center for the Arts
Warehouse B1, Pier A’, Thessaloniki port
Thursday 23 May 2024, 20:00
Action #1: Screening of The Oleanders (2021) documentary and open discussion with Marios Chatziprokopiou and Paola Revenioti.
Thursday 13 June 2024, 19:00
Action #2: Open speech by Glafki Gotsi on feminist theories and the history of Modern Greek art and performance PEKTRIES / SAVOIR VIVRE EDITION by COMOTIRIO (Naira Stergiou, Erifyli Veneri).
Saturday 14 September 2024, 12:00
Action #3: Guided tour in the exhibition by researchers of the Centre of New Media and Feminist Public Practices (Elpida Karamba, Ioanna Zouli, Valia Papastamou) and discussion with the audience on the role of women artists in the contemporary art history.
**Participation in the tour is with the entrance ticket to the site. The ticket can be issued online via the ComeTogether platform ( > https://cometogether.live/event/1296 ) or in person at the Museum Reception, half an hour before the start of the tour, subject to availability.
Programme curated by: Domna Gounari