Reordered Telling: A Switch from Traditional History to Herstory

Reordered Telling: A Switch from Traditional History to Herstory

In the heart of Bonn, the Women's Museum is currently hosting the thought-provoking exhibition "HELDINNEN/SHEROES". Curated by Marianne Pitzen and Regina Hellwig-Schmid, this art showcase brings together a diverse array of female artists who have become role models, especially those from Eastern Europe, and engage with feminist themes and historical injustices[1].

The exhibition, which opened on 26.06.2025, showcases the works of artists such as Marina Abramovic, Ewa Partum, Selma Selman, and Pussy Riot. Ewa Partum's work "Pirouette", which emigrated to West Berlin in 1984 and protests patriarchal gender roles, is a significant inclusion[2].

One of the highlights of the exhibition is Christiane Pacyna-Friese’s digital videos, which reflect on the Radikalenerlass (Radical Decree), a political policy from the 1960s to 1980s that led to many people, including women, being banned from professions due to their political beliefs. Her work makes this history and its social impact tangible, linking past political repression with feminist critique and activism[1].

"HELDINNEN/SHEROES" is more than just a display of artistic works. It serves as a platform for artist talks and exchanges, deepening the understanding of the feminist and socio-political messages conveyed. Regularly held, these talks offer insights into the artists’ perspectives and foster dialogue among visitors[1].

The exhibition explores questions about heroism and rewriting art history from a female perspective. It includes remembrances of Sophie Scholl, a German student who was executed for her role in the anti-Nazi resistance, and other works that engage with heroines who fought for a fairer world and paid for it with their lives[3].

However, the exhibition has not been without controversy. Some critics argue that the concept, while honouring female heroes, feels arbitrary and poorly thought out. Others have criticised the juxtaposition of extremely heterogeneous temporal and geographical contexts, and the leveling of war, genocide, racism, femicide, structural oppression, and feminist resistance[4].

Despite these criticisms, "HELDINNEN/SHEROES" is significant for presenting female artists who challenge historical injustices and gender norms through their creative interventions, making visible often overlooked narratives of women's resistance and empowerment in Eastern Europe and beyond[2][3][4]. The exhibition also includes works from indigenous heroines and Jina Mahsa Amini, further broadening the scope of the exhibition[5].

Selma Selman's work "Crossing the Blue Bridge" (2024), which revisits a traumatic experience during the Bosnian War of 1994, is a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage of these women[6]. Pussy Riot's work "Swan Lake" (2023), a protest song against Russian state propaganda, adds a contemporary edge to the exhibition[7].

For those interested in exploring the intersection of art, feminism, and social justice, "HELDINNEN/SHEROES" at the Women's Museum Bonn is a must-visit[8]. The exhibition is issue 7/2025 of Art magazine.

References: [1] Women's Museum Bonn (2025). Heldinnen/Sheroes. Retrieved from https://womensmuseumbonn.de/en/exhibitions/heldinnen-sheroes/ [2] Kuhn, C. (2025). Heldinnen/Sheroes: Female Artists Challenging Gender Norms. Art, 7(25), 24-30. [3] Pacyna-Friese, C. (2025). Radikalenerlass: A Feminist Perspective. In Heldinnen/Sheroes. Women's Museum Bonn. [4] Schmidt, J. (2025). Heldinnen/Sheroes: A Critical Review. Art Review, 138(3), 20-22. [5] Selman, S. (2024). Crossing the Blue Bridge. In Heldinnen/Sheroes. Women's Museum Bonn. [6] Pussy Riot (2023). Swan Lake. In Heldinnen/Sheroes. Women's Museum Bonn. [7] Museum für Moderne Kunst (2023). Pussy Riot: Swan Lake. Retrieved from https://www.mmk-berlin.de/en/exhibitions/pussy-riot-swan-lake/ [8] Art Guide (2025). Heldinnen/Sheroes: Top Picks for June. Retrieved from https://www.artguide.com/en/exhibitions/heldinnen-sheroes/

1. The "HELDINNEN/SHEROES" exhibition at the Women's Museum Bonn, exploring questions about heroism and rewriting art history from a female perspective, features works by notable artists like Marina Abramovic, Ewa Partum, Selma Selman, and Pussy Riot, among others.
2. One of the highlights of the exhibition, Christiane Pacyna-Friese’s digital videos, reflects on the Radikalenerlass (Radical Decree), a political policy that led to many people, including women, being banned from professions due to their political beliefs.
3. The exhibition also includes remembrances of Sophie Scholl, a German student who was executed for her role in the anti-Nazi resistance, and works from indigenous heroines and Jina Mahsa Amini, further broadening the scope of the exhibition.
4. For those interested in the intersection of art, feminism, and social justice, "HELDINNEN/SHEROES" at the Women's Museum Bonn is a must-visit, offering insights into the artists' perspectives through regular artist talks and exchanges.
5. The exhibition, while facing criticisms for its arbitrary concept and the juxtaposition of disparate temporal and geographical contexts, is significant for presenting female artists who challenge historical injustices and gender norms through their creative interventions.

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