Laetitia Ky
We have noted with regret Laetitia Ky’s perspective on “sex” or sexuality. Her position can be understood as trans-exclusive. Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg rejects such a stance.
In Laetitia Ky’s experiences, the category “sex” or gender as a biological, binary thought gender, plays an essential role. We respect this, although we understand gender in general and especially in the context of the exhibition Empowerment as broader. The focus on the biological category “sex” or gender in contrast to the social construct gender carries the danger of not doing justice to current discourses and excluding trans*persons.
The exhibition Empowerment gives space to different experiences of discrimination within the framework of diverse artistic positions. We would like to give these a presence, even if this can lead to contradictions within the exhibition.
The Strength of a Woman
Being born a woman puts you in a situation where you are way more exposed to every type of violence, and it starts very soon, sometimes as soon as the day of your birth! Sex-based violence is real and concerns all women at all stages of their lives. We have some protections and many rights today because of the strength and resilience of many women before us. It is important to continue to fight for a better future. I believe one of the strongest ways to fight against violence is to use the power of speech and art is an amazing way to make our voices heard!Sprache zu nutzen, und die Kunst ist eine wunderbare Möglichkeit, unseren Stimmen Gehör zu verschaffen!
Feminist!
“A person who believes in social, political and economic equality of the sexes.” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie).
This is a perfect summary of the word “feminist” to me.
Pow’hair
One thing is to stand for something and express it, but another thing is to find the perfect way to deliver your message so it will touch people’s mind and heart and influence their behaviour. Using black hair as a woman to fight is a statement because through history the bodies of women and the bodies of Black people have been and continue to be oppressed. My body and my hair are political and hold a lot of power. Therefore, it is my principal tool to advocate for women.
Ode to Womanhood!
I have sometimes blamed this body, this biology that makes me a woman. This vulva, this womb, these breasts and all these elements that make me a woman… This biology that makes me experience so much discrimination. But there is no reason to blame it because it’s a beautiful gift. Today I want to celebrate it. To my period… you have made my life difficult at times and I have experienced you in a context of a society that perceives you as nasty, dirty and impure. But I love you and am grateful for you. You are natural. And you are here each month because my body is working properly. To all the women who suffer from painful periods, endometriosis and other difficulties around their menstruations: you are loved and seen. To my breasts and tits that are censored, and demonized because considered too sexual, too perverse … I love you.
This womb that everyone wants to control like a public property… I love you. This clitoris that is often cut from women because some societies estimate that they don’t deserve to have sexual pleasures. I feel empathy for every mutilated woman who has to endure this. It happens a lot to African women. Besides taking their pleasure, these mutilations create a lot of health.
There are so many other elements that I deeply love… Today, I am feeling a huge need to celebrate not only my body… but my entire biology. It makes me a woman and I am proud of it.