#Interview | What If Women Ruled the World? I - Throughout 2024, The National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMΣT) has run an incredible exhibition cycle dedicated specifically to women artists, titled What If Women Ruled the World?  We interviewed the EMΣT’s artistic director Katerina Gregos to learn more about leading this initiative, the innovative artists who have been part of the project and her hopes for an equal future. A: This exhibition cycle takes inspiration from Yael Bartana’s (b. 1970) neon piece, titled What If Women Ruled the World? It’s a thought-provoking hypothetical – what are your reflections on this question? KG: We pose this question not because we are interested in establishing a matriarchy but because we’d like to think about whether there is an alternative to the patriarchal paradigm that is driving the world to impasse and disaster through senseless war, unchecked “development” and ecocide, among other issues. The year-long series of 18 exhibitions requires a leap of the imagination; it aims to make us think about a world where the governing paradigm would come from women, and not the current patriarchy. A: On display is work from the current president of the Magnum Foundation, Susan Meiselas (b. 1948). Could you tell us more about her projects A Room of Their Own and Archives of Abuse? KG: Susan Meiselas has spent nearly five decades documenting global social and political issues. From war and human rights violations to cultural identity and the sex industry, her work raises provocative questions about documentary practice and the relationship between photographer and subject. Her two exhibitions at EMΣT – Archives of Abuse (1991–1992) and A Room of Their Own (2015–2017) – explore domestic violence through a series of photographs, oral and written testimonies, collages, posters and videos. A: Now in its fourth and final cycle, what have been some audience responses to the series that have stuck with you? KG: The response has been overwhelmingly positive and there’s been an incredibly diverse range of visitors of all ages and backgrounds, especially young people. It’s important too to consider the impact of a programme like What If Women Ruled the World? Whilst EMΣT programming will always include women artists, curators and educators, we also hope to inspire others to follow our example. By continuing to talk about the issue of gender equality, we hope we can keep the discussion going and influence future decision-making processes by changing the way people think about these issues. Read more » SEPT 217 -22%3|| HAMPSTEAD HEATH HowThelLightGetsin LONDON 2024 Ry IDEAS & MUSIC FESTIVAL USE CODE AESTHETICA24 FOR 20% OFF TICKETS Image Credits: 1.Yael Bartana Two Minutes to Midnight, 2021 One channel video and sound installation High definition digital video, colour, with sound Duration: 47’ Video still Courtesy of Capitain Petzel Gallery, Berlin; Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam; Sommer Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv; Galleria Rafaella Cortese, Milan and Petzel Gallery, New York. 2. Yael Bartana Two Minutes to Midnight, 2021 One channel video and sound installation High definition digital video, colour, with sound Duration: 47’ Video still Courtesy of Capitain Petzel Gallery, Berlin; Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam; Sommer Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv; Galleria Rafaella Cortese, Milan and Petzel Gallery, New York. 3. Bouchra Khalili The Magic Lantern , 2020 – 2022 Video installation (film and objects), 24′ Video still Courtesy of the artist an d Mor Charpentier,  - Change email address / Leave mailing list