Feminism, Faith, Future and Technology collide in Iris Brosch’s 2023 multimedia installation for photoSCHWEIZ
As a feminist artist Iris Brosch is interested in the representation, perception and mutability of the image of women. By giving attention the Black Madonna she wants to highlight the dignity and strength of women in our times. 2022 Iris reconstructed the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln as a Tableau Vivant for the annual exhibition “photo Schweiz” in Zurich. In 2023 she was reinvited to photoSCHWEIZ to showcase the 2022 photo and video outcome in a multimedia installation.
The multimedia installation by IRIS BROSCH at photoSCHWEIZ
IS THE MADONNA A FEMINIST SYMBOL?
This question opens up a complex aspect of intersectional feminism. Answers of feminists who are western-elevated and -educated are prone to partially differ from women of other religions, identities and orientations. The Virgin Mary can be inspiring and consoling to some, as she is a maternal and feminine divine presence. At the same time others might criticise the Madonna's virginal motherhood, modesty and obedience as a patriarchal ideal which cannot be met.
Iris Brosch considers the devotion to Madonnas to add to feminist spirituality. With her performances she wants to reinforce the idea that women all over the world are their own Madonnas worthy of admiration.
MOTHER
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VIRGIN
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MOTHER // VIRGIN //
Embracing Female Sexual Power
The Madonna is often represented with a child, the child of god. She combines two incommensurable identities: she is a mother and virgin at the same time. She reminds people of a theological virtue placing high value on purity which has been patriarchally associated with virginity. We can also see this virtue represented in her clothing, often wearing the colour blue. This colour symbolises royalty, virginity and purity. A Madonna is associated with so many things but always distanced from sexuality. She has a child but no intercourse. Her sexual power as a woman has been removed. This imagery in Christian iconography gives only power to women when removing one of their greatest: sexuality. Giving birth becomes a mystery and gift, rather than a female power which men cannot exercise. Of course churches are empty if you try to feed such a mystifying story to a more and more feminist society. We need icons who are real and present new perspectives so women feel represented and see that their bodies and sexual pleasure beyond fertility are powerful.
Iris Brosch talking to the national Swiss TV station SRF about her multimedia installation.
ENGLISH TRANSCRIPT of the video:
Paris-based German IRIS BROSCH successfully works in fashion photography for magazines like VOGUE or VANITY FAIR. With her photography she aims to portray women and their femininity in an expressive and strong manner. For photoSCHWEIZ she reflected on the BLACK MADONNA in the monastery of Einsiedeln and thus created a multimedia installation.
Iris: As you can see the focal point of the installation is a cross. Instead of carrying Jesus it is surrounded by computers and digital devices. What I would like to convey with this work is that we should regain Belief: Belief in ourselves and Belief in where we came from, so that we don’t hand ourselves and humanity over to the digital world.
Article about Iris Brosch and the Black Madonna project on http://click.arttv.ch/2023/art/01/#0