Left: photo by Maansi Jain. Right: photo by Philippe Duval
“I want the patchwork of reality to be represented” – Laetitia Duveau
Fuelled by a strong desire to help her fellow artists, Laetitia Duveau is hosting her first girl powered exhibition. The show, entitled “Freer in Berlin”, presents works from 26 artists at Blender & Co, a female-run studio located inside the German capital. Opening next Saturday for two days only, Duveau describes her curatorial efforts as a celebration of “new femininity”, a theme that didn’t even materialise until after the exhibition’s inception.
Left: Angel Rose by Scarlett Carlos Clarke. Right: photo by Margherita Loba
“The truth about the world can only be revealed once everyone is represented. I want the patchwork of reality to be represented,” says Duveau about the upcoming show. “We’ve been raised with stereotypes. I’m not judging anyone. There is an imbalance between men and women because men are supposed to have more power, but we are changing that.” On opening night, she’s especially looking forward to seeing the reactions of so-called “macho men”, a group that Duveau hopes will “experience the show and have their values challenged.”
Trying to tackle society’s various levels of brainwashing is no easy feat, but Duveau has chosen artists who challenge the normative male gaze and its influence on femininity. She gushes over the portrait of Angel Rose shot by Scarlett Carlos Clarke, an image that is as iconic as its subject. Meanwhile, Carly Hunt explores the many narrative arcs in which we most often look for the feminine.
Photo by Carly Hunt
After speaking to Laetitia and examining her curated selection of artwork, it’s clear this exhibition is not afraid to explore the darker side of womanhood. An image of bloody thighs by Margherita Loba is arranged nearby a somber nude by Caroline Fayette. The most striking image from the show is Tanguy Loyzance‘s photo depicting a weapon-wielding woman – a symbol of the incredible power that every female posesses.
Photo by Caroline Fayette
Photo by Tanguy Loyzance
“Freer in Berlin” is on display at Berlin’s Blender & Co from 8 October until 9 October 2016