Valie Export, an influential figure in feminist art known for her bold and witty works, passed away on May 14, just shy of turning 86. The announcement was made by Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery. Export’s art provocatively challenged the male gaze and societal norms, using innovative performance and film to reinterpret the female body outside traditional confines.
Born Waltraud Lehner in 1940 in Linz, Austria, she experienced societal stigma early on, which influenced her art. Abandoning the conventional role of housewife, she adopted the name VALIE EXPORT after moving to Vienna, symbolizing her break from traditional female roles. Her studies at the National School for Textile Industry in Vienna coincided with the rise of Viennese Actionism, influencing her unique brand of Feminist Actionism.
One of her most notable performances, “Genital Panic” in 1968, saw her confronting audiences in Munich by wearing crotchless pants, disrupting passive viewing experiences. This bold approach continued with “Tapp und Tastkino,” where she invited public interaction with her body in Vienna, challenging societal norms and evoking strong reactions.
Export’s work extended beyond performance into film and academia. She co-founded the Austrian Filmmakers Cooperative and released the film “Invisible Adversaries” in 1977. Her curatorial efforts included the groundbreaking exhibition MAGNA. Feminism: Art and Creativity in 1975. As a professor at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, she influenced new generations of artists.
Despite her impactful contributions, Export expressed concerns that her work might face more challenges today. Reflecting on her legacy, she emphasized the ongoing struggle for authentic representation of women, advocating for the visibility and acceptance of diverse female identities.
