REMOR | Petra Vlasman

REFLECTION ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN PAST AND PRESENT SOCIETY

Since 2014, Gràcia del Ruste and I work on a photography-performance project called REMOR (MURMUR). We come together in deserted public washing places of villages of the Alt Empordà in Catalonia, where we interact and connect with these historical places where women used to wash, socialize and talk.

MURMUR

The murmur (REMOR) of the water and the voices of women and children gave warmth to their weekly ritual: doing the laundry. This task was assigned to women, who washed on their knees or on their feet. It was hard work, the wet clothes were heavy and whether it was cold or hot, it had to be done. Despite being a laborious task, it was also an opportunity to get out of the house, talk and gossip with the neighbors.

With REMOR (MURMUR) we want to vindicate this historic public space where women did a dignifying job. They have become our stage for performative interventions.

INTERACTION

In our exhibition the spectator is interrogated about the role of women in the past centuries. We provoke reflection and debate on mechanization, the loss of public spaces for sharing and empowerment, and on the role of women and men in past and present society.

An important part of this project is the possibility of the public to participate. The questions we include in the exhibition can be answered by writing personal answers on papers that can be hung on the ‘washing lines’.

EXHIBITION AND GUIDED TOURS IN PERSON OR ONLINE

The exhibition travels around Catalonia, in 2019 to Olot and in 2020 to Barcelona (Convent Sant Agustí), to Castelló d’Empúries (Museu la Farinera), and to Figueres (Mas Gironí and La Cate).

This project is also available for schools and other learning institutes.

A physical exhibition with guided tours, or as an online interactive activity with the artists.

2014-2020.