mental health

Open Call “3/21 - hysteria”

“The history of hysteria is a history of the relation between the colonizing father and the colonized devalued other.”

Judith L. Alpert

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ENGLISH

Hysteria was considered a "female" illness until well into the 20th century and was treated with violent methods. Today, gender minorities who fight for their rights are described as "hysterical", while populations who rebel against dictatorships are oftentimes not only silenced on a daily basis but also brutally beaten down during protests. Victims and survivors of psychological and physical violence are met with a lack of awareness. Those, who speak up about their experiences face victim blaming, defamation and retraumatization. 

But what exactly is hysteria and how does it manifest? When is hysteria a needed call for action, when is it hyperbolical selfishness? And why is there a lack of support for those, who don't want to accept what is occuring to them? How is it possible that politicians world wide are still able to stir up fears? 

The above mentioned and many other questions will be discussed during the exhibition hysteria organized by Lisa Jureczko and Ava Weis. The exhibition will take place between March 12th and 14th, 2021, online - and if the current situation allows it - offline at our studio kollektiv drei in Wuppertal, Germany.

hysteria is meant to be a possibility to deconstruct the patriarchal structurs of the art scene. Especially marginalized groups are those, who are faced with the accusation of being "too hysterical" and whose voices are oftentimes overheard, ignored, appropriated or censored.

Therefore, this call for applications is aimed particularly at FLINTA and artists of color.

We look forward to your submissions by February 10, 2021.

GERMAN

Wurde Hysterie noch bis weit ins 20. Jahrhundert als psychische Frauen*krankheit gesehen und mit gewaltvollen Methoden behandelt, erlebt sie heute ein denkwürdiges Revival. Gender-Minorities, die weltweit um die ihnen zustehenden Rechte kämpfen, werden als hysterisch verschrien, immer mehr Bevölkerungen lehnen sich gegen diktatorische Staatsgewalt auf und werden dabei brutal niedergeschlagen. Betroffenen von psychischer und körperlicher Gewalt wird Unverständnis entgegengebracht und die Schuld für ihr Schicksal zugesprochen. Wer mit den eigenen Erfahrungen an die Öffentlichkeit tritt, wird nicht selten diffamiert und re-traumatisiert. 

Aber was genau ist Hysterie? Welche Formen kann sie annehmen? Wann ist hysterisches Verhalten ein benötigter Aufschrei, wann ist es übertriebener Egoismus? Warum mangelt es an Unterstützung für Menschen, die nicht stillschweigend hinnehmen wollen, was mit ihnen geschieht? Wie schaffen es Politiker*innen immer noch mit Polemik Ängste zu schüren?

Diese und weitere Fragestellungen behandelt die von Lisa Jureczko und Ava Weis konzipierte Ausstellung hysteria, die vom 12. bis 14. März im kollektiv drei in Wuppertal stattfindet. In den Räumlichkeiten sollen dafür weitere Arbeiten diverser Künstler*innen aller Sparten gezeigt werden, die "Hysterie" und den Umgang mit eben dieser thematisieren.

Mit hysteria möchten wir die patriarchalen Strukturen der Kunst- und Kulturbranche durchbrechen, denn es sind vor allem marginalisierte Personengruppen, die mit dem Vorwurf der Hysterie konfrontiert, und deren Stimmen weitestgehend übergangen, angeeignet oder zensiert werden.

Daher richtet sich diese Ausschreibung insbesondere an FLINTA und Künstler:innen of Color. 

Wir freuen uns über eure Einreichungen bis zum 10. Februar 2021.

ABOUT THE PERCEPTION PROJECT

The Perception Project is a Los Angeles based art-for-healing non-profit organization devoted to providing survivors of trauma (muses) with services that take on creative forms as expressive outlets and serve the local community. Between an artist/survivor collaboration, the muse provides a personal story, and the artist creates a masterpiece showcasing the muse's strength and inner beauty. These works are showcased through public art exhibitions designed to promote mental-health awareness, then gifted to the muses as a symbol of their strength. 

DESCRIPTION

About the Project:

The volunteer artist will

a) Receive a written or audio story based upon the experiences of a trauma survivor (muse)

OR

b) Meet a trauma survivor (muse) in person or via Skype, to listen to the muse’s experiences with the presence of a therapist or mental health professional

and use it as inspiration to create an artwork meant to empower and inject positivity to the muse. Artwork is donated to the muse after the end of the exhibition. Acceptable mediums are canvas, wood panels, paper, digital prints, mixed media, 2D visual art, small-sized sculpture/3D art, and photography. A gift card or an art supplies goodie bag will be allocated to each artist (or artist team) to cover partial cost of materials. Artist travel fees are not covered.

Art Goals:

Works of art are created then gifted to the muses (survivors) as a symbol of their internal strength to continue thriving in life. The Perception Project devotes its creative platform towards promoting mental health awareness, maximizing community partnerships, local community involvement, providing meaningful work experience, and above all encouraging a shift towards positive perspective.

Site:

The art exhibition will be held at a private gallery in Los Angeles, CA. The event will be open to the public.

ELIGIBILITY

All artists who are passionate about making a positive difference in the community are encouraged to apply. Application eligibility is not restricted to geographic location. Due to the sensitive nature of the material, artists must be 18 years of age or older. Artists will be responsible for all shipping costs. All entries must represent original works.

TIMELINE

Application Opens: March 2, 2020

Application Deadline: May 31, 2020

Notice of Applicant Status: June 2020

Artist & Muse Pairing: June 2020

Artwork Creation Period: June-October 2020

Artwork & Artist Statement Due: November 1, 2020

Opening Reception & Artist Talk: late November 2020