Hysteria: The Power of Female Rage

Image credit: © Lewis Jones

What happens when we stop hiding women’s anger and instead make it visible?

Taking its title from Cooper & Gorfer’s exhibition Hysteria – which reclaims a term historically used to defame women and reinterprets it as a multi-layered emotional space – we speak with Tara-Louise Wittwer, author, cultural scientist, and a sharp feminist voice of the digital age, about the political and emotional power of this feeling. The conversation is moderated by Paloma Frau, Director of Cultural Events at Fotografiska Berlin.

Occasion is Wittwer’s new book Nemesis’ Töchter, in which she shows why anger is essential today – politically, emotionally, and historically. Together, we explore the long history of how women’s emotions have been devalued and ask how art and language can help break through these narratives.

How can rage, vulnerability, and strength be recognized in images? And how can we reclaim our own anger – without the fear of being marked once again with the old stigma of “hysteria”? Answers to these questions and more will be discussed during the evening.

After the talk, look forward to a book signing with Tara-Louise Wittwer. Ticket includes admission to the entire museum. Note: This talk will be held in German only.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Tara-Louise Wittwer writes and speaks about relationships, mental health, and feminism. In her book Dramaqueen, the cultural scientist examines both the conscious and unconscious devaluation of femininity. She reflects on her role as a woman in society – caught between judgment and being judged – and points to ways we can all treat one another more fairly. With her format TikToxic, she exposes misogynistic videos online. Her recent book Sorry, aber… reached #1 on the SPIEGEL bestseller list, and she also publishes under the label Was Tara meint. In her newest book Nemesis’ Töchter, she takes on the theme of female rage and explores its history.