Ines Doujak: Vater Arsch – A Groundbreaking Exhibition at Secession Exploring Norms

Ines Doujak's exhibition 'Vater Arsch' at Secession focuses on examining norms, particularly heterosexism and heteronormativity, through photography and installations. The project investigates how these norms shape subjectivity, desire, language, and social structures.

Ines Doujak's exhibition 'Vater Arsch' delves into the pervasive influence of heterosexism and heteronormativity as foundational elements that organize not only subjectivity and desire but also language, knowledge, culture, family, state, and economy. The artist employs visual language to scrutinize these norms, focusing on the norm itself rather than deviations. Doujak's project for Secession aims to demonstrate how differences can be treated as non-hierarchical relationships while simultaneously exposing social power and violence structures. The exhibition was conceived in two parts: a float for the Rainbow Parade on June 29, 2002, and an installation within the Secession's gallery and Graphic Cabinet. The parade float featured photographic figures addressing heterosexism, surrounded by performers. In the Secession's gallery, a 'Wagenburg' (wagon fort) constructed from wood served as a central element, evoking imagery from Western films and social demarcation mechanisms, with visitors viewing it from above. A large-format photo wallpaper depicting stylized animal figures and human interactions in nocturnal settings covered the gallery walls, exploring gendered arrangements and heteronormative family structures through allegorical scenes. The space between the wagon fort and the photo wallpaper became a stage for gender differences, prompting visitors to critically engage with the discourse of norms and representation as a site of struggle. In the Graphic Cabinet, long cardboard tubes extending from ceiling to floor held 200 photographs attached to movable strips. These photographs were originally applied to the costumes of dancers during the parade. While on the parade, the images generated movement; within the Graphic Cabinet, visitors' passage through the space activates the images, creating a dynamic display that reflects the exhibition's exploration of movement and representation.

Information regarding tickets for the Secession can be found via a provided link. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Specific ticketing details for this exhibition are not provided on the page, but general admission context is implied through the venue's operations. Visitors are directed to a booking portal for ticket purchases, suggesting an admission fee applies, but no prices or specific exhibition ticket requirements are detailed on this page itself. The page indicates that the Secession is open today, implying regular operating hours are in effect for exhibitions unless otherwise stated, directing visitors to a general ticketing page for more information and purchases. The provided link leads to a general ticketing platform for the Secession, not specific details for this exhibition, and implies that booking is required or recommended, typical for museum exhibitions seeking to manage visitor flow or capacity effectively, aligning with standard museum practices for special exhibitions which often require advance booking or entry fees separate from general museum admission as a means of managing attendance and revenue streams crucial for institutional operations and programming sustainability. The exhibition dates, July 5 to September 1, 2002, suggest a temporary exhibition, which typically involves specific ticketing arrangements compared to permanent collections, further reinforcing the need for visitors to consult the official ticketing channels for precise information on admission policies, pricing, and any special requirements associated with viewing this particular display of artwork as part of the Secession's curatorial offerings during that historical period. The page does not provide specific information regarding whether this exhibition requires a separate ticket from general museum admission, nor does it detail any concessionary rates or group booking options, which are common features of museum ticketing systems designed to cater to a diverse audience and facilitate accessibility through varied pricing structures and access policies, thus visitors are advised to consult the provided link for comprehensive details on how to attend this exhibition and secure the necessary admission credentials or entry passes required for viewing the artwork during its scheduled run in the summer of 2002, as the page itself focuses more on the content of the exhibition rather than the logistical aspects of its visitation.