OK Offenes Kulturhaus in Linz: New exhibitions “Queer” and “Eva & Adele”

There is almost nothing in nature that does not exist. Two exhibitions in the OK Offenes Kulturhaus in Linz, which open tomorrow, Friday, at 7 p.m., invite you to discover this diversity in the human world as well.

Curated by Michaela Seiser, “Queer – Diversity is our culture” based on the award-winning exhibition from the Natural History Museum Bern in Linz builds a bridge to cultural studies.

On the ground floor, the visitor immerses himself in the animal love life, in which male and female boundaries are dissolved: the extent to which Cupid’s arrow finds its counterpart in the hermaphrodite snails is just as astonishing as the virgin birth of water fleas, for example. On the first floor, the term “queer” is illuminated from different perspectives: A historical search for traces of “drag” (disguise) leads from the first drag ball in 1869, a secret masked ball in Harlem, to the robe in which Tom Neuwirth aka “Conchita Wurst ‘ Won the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen.

Still banned in 70 countries

Queer people from Linz and Upper Austria also have their say in videos, in front of a world map: Until today, in 2023, homosexuality is a punishable offense in 70 countries. A wall with translations also helps to guide the way through the conceptual jungle of sexual orientations.

One floor up, visitors dive into the colorful world of “Eva & Adele – The present of the future”: The curators Nathalie Hoyos and Rainald Schumacher give an insight into the work of the Berlin artist couple, which has been a sign as a performative synthesis of the arts since 1991 for a self-determined, free gender identity. “Where we are, there is a museum” is the credo of both. Coming from the future, Eva & Adele are becoming more and more present.

Eva, Adele – living work of art

With unmistakable make-up and extravagantly dressed, the couple has been traveling the world for 30 years, as evidenced by a tower of pink suitcases. “Travelling was part of our art,” says Eva, who came to the opening:

“The smile is our success story of being different”, which is told in Linz by selected costumes, a handbag tree, Polaroid portrait photo series and paintings exhibited for the first time. “They were created in nature, which is an important place of retreat for us” to celebrate being different and diversity in public again with a hearty smile.

Location: Linz, OK place 1,
Opening today, 7 p.m. until October 8, Tue. – Sun., public holidays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Mon. closed)

Next combination tour:

7 July, 4.30 p.m., and
21 July, 5 p.m

Workshops: RuPaul Mini Drag Challenge: 7/21; 20 September; October 4th, 8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.: Three “Queens” from Linz give insights into their world.

Tango on the roof: Trial course with tango y arte and Viennese queer tango on 2 September from 4 p.m.

Info: 0732 / 77 20 52 502, www.ooekultur.at