VALIE EXPORT's groundbreaking performance art challenges traditional cinema In the late 1960s, VALIE EXPORT emerged as a formidable force in the Viennese art scene, challenging the established norms of cinematic experience. Her work, TAP and TOUCH CINEMA, defies conventional film by using her own body as the medium of expression. This performance art piece, born out of a revolt against modern consumer and technical society, invites the audience to engage directly with the artist, breaking the fourth wall that typically separates the viewer from the screen. The performance took place in public spaces, where EXPORT donned a portable 'cinema' apparatus, inviting passersby to reach into the box and touch her, thus engaging with a 'real' woman rather than a projected image. This act of defiance and vulnerability was a direct challenge to the male-dominated art world of the time, particularly the Vienna Actionists. EXPORT's work is a vivid illustration of her concept of 'expanded cinema,' where the film is not confined to celluloid but is an interactive, live experience.

Design Highlights

Interactive Performance: The artist's body serves as the medium, inviting direct engagement. Public Engagement: The performance was staged in public spaces, challenging societal norms. Feminist Undertones: A critique of the male gaze and traditional cinematic experiences. Expanded Cinema: Redefining film beyond traditional media, focusing on live interaction.

Key Facts