The exhibition “Radical Software: Women, Art & Computing 1960-1991” at Kunsthalle Wien presents a fascinating exploration of women artists’ engagement with computers from the 1960s to the 1990s. Curated by Michelle Cotton, the exhibition challenges the historical perception of computer art as a predominantly male domain and delves into the potentialities and limitations of a cyborgian body.
One of the key themes of the exhibition is the way women artists used computers as tools for creativity, language, and aesthetics. Artists like Vera Molnár and Agnes Denes employed computer programs to generate drawings and alter texts, blurring the lines between human emotion and machine precision. The works on display highlight the complex relationship between humans and technology, offering a glimpse into a post-gendered utopia while also acknowledging the darker aspects of technological advancement.
As visitors move through the exhibition, they encounter works that explore the connections between codes, computers, and women’s labor and bodies. Artists like Charlotte Johannesson and Miriam Schapiro showcase how digital art can be intertwined with traditional craft practices, while Doris Chase and Lillian Schwartz challenge viewers with geometric animations that reflect the increasing complexity of computer technology.
The exhibition also delves into the ways in which women artists have used digital art to question gender norms. Works like Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s video “Ada in ADA” and Barbara Hammer’s film “No No Nooky TV” subvert traditional narratives and challenge societal expectations. However, as the exhibition progresses, a darker undercurrent emerges, with works like Lynn Hershman Leeson’s “Self Portrait as Another Person” and AnalÃvia Cordeiro’s “M3x3” exploring themes of surveillance, control, and loss of self-expression.
“Radical Software: Women, Art & Computing 1960-1991” offers a thought-provoking journey through the intersection of art, technology, and gender. By showcasing the diverse ways in which women artists have engaged with computers over the decades, the exhibition invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of technology and its impact on society. The exhibition will be on display at Kunsthalle Wien until May 25th, providing a unique opportunity to explore the rich history of women’s contributions to the world of digital art.
