Valie Export becomes 85: A festival of feminist art in Belvedere!

Valie Export becomes 85: A festival of feminist art in Belvedere!

Belvedere 21, Wien, Österreich - Valie Export, one of the most influential figures in feminist action, celebrates her 85th birthday on May 17, 2025. The pioneer, who originally saw the light of day as Waltraud Lehner in Linz, becomes known for her unique way of artistic discussion and her provocative works that have inspired generations of artists. A big festival, organized in cooperation with the Austrian Film Museum and Sixpackfilm, will take place on May 21st in Belvedere 21. There she is not only celebrated, but also recognized the transformative influence of her work, which has significantly shaped the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. This event is enriched by a subversive film program and performances of international colleagues who keep their influence and herit into alive.

Valie Export's artistic journey began at the School of Applied Sciences in Linz, followed by moving to Vienna in 1960. The desire for her mother to promote her daughters was of central importance for her development. In 1966 she decided to accept the artist name "Valie Export" in order to give a strong statement about her artistic identity. Her work, including the famous actions “Tapp- und Tastenkino” from 1968 and the “Genital Panic Action Pants”, demanded a re-evaluation of the role of women in art and society.

artist in an international context

Your work was recognized by international recognition from the 1990s. Valie Export was involved in important events such as Documenta, the Venice Biennale, in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and in the Tate Gallery London. Her radical aesthetics not only influenced feminist protest actions, but also inspired artists such as Marina Abramović and Cindy Sherman. She made the versatility of her work a key figure within the feminist art movement, which in the 1970s founded foundations for exploring female experience in art.

The feminist art movement, which blossomed parallel to the social upheavals of the 1960s and 1970s, examined topics such as patriarchy, body image and roles of women in everyday life. At that time, artists like Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro created significant works that stimulated the discussion about gender roles and challenged the perception of female anatomy and experiences. Valie Export's examination of these topics was directional and made a decisive contribution to creating a new understanding of art.

a legacy for the future

The congratulations include well -known personalities, including Stella Rollig, the general director of the Belvedere, which emphasizes Valie Exports influence in art history. With the celebration of her 85th birthday, not only an outstanding artist is honored, but also the focus on the feminist perspectives and topics for which she fought. Your work remain relevant and inspiring and continue the discourse on gender equality and artistic freedom.