Contrary to what politicians and mainstream media might tell us, the arts are essential; particularly in times like these that are brimming with fear and division. […] Seeing an act of creative expression is seeing the essence of someone’s being and reminds us of our own. Support the things that remind us of our shared humanity and expansiveness. Support the arts!
Read MoreXX ART FLÂNERIE festival is coming back to Vienna’s 15th district for its second year…
Read MoreLast month we had the pleasure to experience a photo shoot with our friend and an amazing photographer Margarita Keller. Take a look at the results and learn more about Margarita and her work down below…
Read MoreFinally, reopening!
Yes, at the beginning of this month, we too were allowed to open our doors again, just in time to have at least a soft opening of our collaborative group show Shame Shouldn't Be A Symptom.
And while we embrace the joy of getting back to normal, we are also trying to keep in mind how privileged that "normal" is. At least, for some of us. Last month we said no shame, and indeed, there is no shame in being white or male or straight, cis-gender, or just an EU citizen living in a developed western European country. But an important note is there is also no pride in it.
Read MoreJust after the infamous traditional family march, which took place a couple of weeks ago and during the hopeful excitement of passing a gender-neutral partnership law, artist Živilė Žvėrūna talks about how art reveals the morality of our society.
“My personal goal as an artist is to add another perspective to the discussion. There are plenty of scientific statements on schizophrenia and mental health which are important, but so are emotional and personal insights and experiences. This discussion has to take place in public for everyone to take part and art can be the stage for that.”
Read More“Being surrounded with so much wealth and irrational consumerism everyday, living in one of the richest countries in the world, but also just the state of the world as we know it, has made me realize how to so many people it doesn't matter what they consume - as long as they consume it. Especially when it comes to fashion, the climate where trend hopping is most apparent.”
“In times like these it feels like there is a need for artists to address and draw attention to topics like climate care and migration. We would not say about ourselves that we create political art. This installation is the first work where we addressed a topic like climate care and it was not our very first intention. Also there are many more layers in this artwork than only this topic…”
Read MorePedro pauses his reports on pages of the good old Internet to share an intimate memory and the recurrence of what he felt back then during his investigations.
Read More“It is only once we are able to give our Shadow what it needs (ie: acknowledgement, acceptance, compassion, love) and no longer feel shame around it, that that we can accept ourselves as whole beings and move closer to being free from unhealthy and harmful behaviors…”
Read More“Speaking in broad terms, most cultures do not embrace open discussions or portrayals of mental illness or taboo symptomology. At best, these conversations are seen as uncomfortable. At worst, they're ostracized or criminalized. Anything that carries a negative connotation is something we may be judged or shunned for.”
Finally, no shame!
But first, TRIGGER WARNING!
Despite having already touched on some sensitive topics in the past, this month’s edition goes a bit over our usual amount of “everything that’s wrong (and right and somewhere in between) with the world”.
Participating in Mental Health Awareness Month again, this issue speaks about (but not solely on) suicidal thoughts and suicide – an act that carries even heavier stigma than other symptoms.
As mental health is deeply interconnected with other social phenomena, one of our external contributors sheds more light on Femicide, the murder of women for the reason of being women.
For the mental health awareness month, Improper Walls, in collaboration with foundation Made of Millions, presents the international group exhibition “Shame Shouldn't be a Symptom”…
Read More
