Nietzsche Was A Man – Alysse Stepanian

NIETZSCHE WAS A MAN

Video art by 20 Iranian women
Curated by Alysse Stepanian (USA) and Neda Darzi (Iran)
Text by Stepanian

NEWS: Nietzsche goes to Finland. Details here…

Much debate has been centered around the seemingly misogynistic views of 19th Century German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche. A recent rereading of his aphorisms suggests that his remarks were ironic strategies designed to expose the hierarchical dualisms of Western thought and language and gender stereotyping. The title of this show points to the prevalent dualistic patriarchal worldview that subordinates and exploits nature and the powerless, separates men from women, and humans from animals. In this exhibition of video art, 20 Iranian women currently living in 6 countries reveal unique perspectives on the challenges faced in a volatile world of interrelationships, misapprehensions and hierarchies. Their voices resonate around the globe with challenging works that examine issues such as gender communication, prejudice and shifting identities, violence and war, and the relationship between humans, non-human animals, and the environment.

This exhibition has been presented at the Museo Ex Teresa Arte Actual in Mexico City (June 7 – July 31, 2013) and Malmö Konsthall in Sweden (April 10 – June 1, 2014), among other venues.