A Woman in The World (AWITW)

A Woman In The World AWITW is an artistic practice-based research project. It originated when we noticed common ground in our respective film and art practices: a series of interviews with women about decisions and turning points (Susanne Hofer), and care work combined with research into the multifaceted life of an older woman (Sabine Hagmann).

Our shared interest in the expectations of a life as a woman was the starting point for our collaboration. We are now exploring what it means to age as a woman. There are neither enough role models for young women, nor are post-menopausal women adequately represented in Western society.

We aim to promote the diversity of women’s life paths through what might ultimately take the form of a ‘transdisciplinary installation road movie’ (working format). We plan to do this through a series of encounters with women whom we visit. We intend to record our conversations with them (and possibly some of their friends) and develop a staged photograph together with them.

To help us to narrow the focus of our project, we have launched a series of brainstorming sessions in the form of dinner events: Denken & Essen (Thinking & Eating). To each of these participatory events, we invite a selected group of around four women.

We cook a nice meal and, during dinner, discuss a specific topic that has been announced in advance, structured around questions and exercises.

The topics of the dinners we have organised so far were: female roles/female role models, middle age as a woman (post menopause), mothers, learning and unlearning, body images.

The dinners were intense, intimate and very enriching for all participants. We have recognised that there is a great desire for spaces that enable discussion and exchange on these topics. The dinners have evolved into a project in their own right, a search for the creation and establishment of a common space for (ageing) women to share their experiences in dealing with expectations of what a woman’s life should look like.

Our project therefore consists of two parallel initiatives: the continuation of the Denken & Essen dinner events and the development of the road movie. We aim to approach this in a playful and joyful manner, seeking connections, solidarity and intergenerational dialogue.