Three artists from the former GDR talk about their experiences as artists and mothers before and after the wall came down. They consider their reasons for making work dealing with themes related to family or motherhood. The discussion includes their experiences of operating within close-knit underground art groups in a socialist state, and collaboration and competition between fellow artists then and now.
Ana Shorter is joined by:
Else Gabriel, a performance artist working with film, video and photography. She is also the vice rector for workshops and exhibitions at the Weissensee Kunsthochschule in Berlin.
Verena Kyselka, a video and installation artist. She was a particpant in a number of underground female artist groups in the GDR during the 1980’s, and helped found the Kunsthaus Erfurt – an arts organisation started after reunification.
Ute Weiss-Leder, a video, photo, sound installation artist. Since 2007 she has been working for the professional association of visual artists in Berlin.