Women Exhibiting, Women Exhibited. Official Politics of Art Exhibition during the So-Called Period of Normalization
Abstract
The authors of the present paper are focusing on the official Czechoslovak politics of art exhibition in the so-called period of normalization in a context of gender politics. Following several examples, they discuss the outcomes of gender politics based on the percentual contribution of women in art exhibitions and their involvement in art institutions.
Simultaneously, they debate the phenomenon of the idea of gender equality promoted through art exhibition - annual shows to celebrate the International Women's day, and the exhibitions dedicated to International Women's Year, a name given to 1975 by the United Nations. A part of interpretations is also Czechoslovak socialist gender politics that in 1970's and 1980's boost pro-family agenda, and essentialist discourse of the period, both deeply influenced art exhibition politics, art criticism and also art production.