In its international cultural work, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs attaches great importance to the role of women in art and society. The Section for Cultural Relations Abroad and the International Tricky Women Festival in Vienna have been cooperating successfully for a number of years, presenting the animated films of Austrian women artists or women artists living
in Austria abroad. The Tricky Women film program comprises works of various techniques by already established and internationally recognized women artists as well as by up-and-coming young animation filmmakers—our “rising stars”. What is particularly remarkable about the films is how well the artists succeed in briefly and succinctly summarizing socio-politically important topics. The title of the program, “Bright Spots & Pushing Boundaries” already indicates the artistic orientation of the animated films.
Ambassador Dr. Teresa Indjein
Under this title, the program in turn brings together current positions of Austrian women animated flm artists and provides insight into the diverse techniques and working methods with which the women flmmakers focus on current topics: The war and its traumatic effects accompany Gerda Wunsch and Aurelia Pribil throughout their lives (GERDA WUNSCH – THE STORY OF MY GRANDMOTHER AS A PERSECUTED JEW IN WORLD WAR II and YOU ARE STILL THERE). Borders are drawn and the question arises where we should, may and must go (LANES). A surprising event leads to revived affection between an old couple (LATE SEASON). The assertiveness of a little girl (THE WET HAIR), the longing for liberation from the compulsion to self-improve (KNAGGLIG) and the masks with which people go through the world to adapt (HOW TO ADAPT) are negotiated as well as sexism raining down on women in the digital and real world (ME-LOG). The cinematographic potential of (everyday) objects is explored and turned into non-stop stop motion (MUYBRIDGE’S DISOBEDIENT HORSES); light phenomena are transformed into sensual geometric objects that interact with the soundtrack (SOLAR MECHANIX 1.1) and extraterrestrial forms reminiscent of moons, accompanied by science fction sound, are flying through (outer) space (FLY US TO THE MOONS). The outlook of the program is the reflection of young art students on their future, fears and visions (GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE). The spectrum of animation technology in analog and digital ranges from drawing and claymation to computer-generated abstraction. We are very much looking forward to continuing the successful cooperation and would like to thank Ambassador Teresa Indjein, Envoy Ulla Kraus-Nussbaumer and Ms. Sonja Reiser-Weinzettl very much for the good cooperation!
Birgitt Wagner, Waltraud Grausgruber, Therese Schnöll and the Tricky Women team