When the concept of a hero is mentioned, it typically conjures a very specific
image –one of the athletic, able-bodied, straight, cisgender white man in a costume saving the powerless – a narrative that has dominated historical and cultural perspectives. This exhibition seeks to challenge and redefine this notion, delving into the myriad of stories of queer heroes. It recognizes that heroism manifests in various forms and sizes.
In the face of adversity, queer communities thrive, consistently finding ways to uplift and take care of one another. We’ve encouraged submissions that showcase these utopian possibilities of a world where gender and sexual diversity are celebrated. Our aim is to honor those who not only enhance the visibility of our communities but actively contribute to creating a world where queer individuals feel valued, safe, and supported. This celebration encompasses those whose contributions have made headlines as well as those whose impact is deeply rooted in local or personal spheres.
Let’s bring new and lesser-known stories into focus and create a visual tribute to the resilience, courage, and everyday heroism that defines our communities.
Get more information and the story behind each project on the following pages.
Karlstorbahnhof and Poster Exhibition in the Streets of Heidelberg
3.5. – 29.5.
Theater Heidelberg
7.5. – 19.5.
Marstallcafé
6.5. – 26.7.
International Welcome Center
3.5. – 29.5.
Wenn von »Helden« die Rede ist, wird meist ein ganz bestimmtes Bild heraufbeschworen – das des athletischen, körperlich gesunden, heterosexuellen weißen Mannes in einem Kostüm, der die Hilflosen rettet – ein Narrativ, das die historische und kulturelle Perspektive dominiert hat. Ziel der Ausstellung ist es, diese Vorstellung in Frage zu stellen und neu zu definieren, indem die unzähligen Geschichten queerer Held*innen untersucht werden.
Die Ausstellung soll diejenigen ehren, die nicht nur die Sichtbarkeit von LGBTQIA+ erhöht haben, sondern auch aktiv dazu beigetragen haben, eine Welt zu schaffen, in der sich queere Menschen wertgeschätzt, sicher und unterstützt fühlen. Dies schließt sowohl diejenigen ein, deren Beiträge Schlagzeilen gemacht haben, als auch diejenigen, deren Einfluss tief im lokalen oder persönlichen Bereich verwurzelt ist.
Ganz gleich, ob es sich um kleine Taten der Freundlichkeit oder um große, radikale Gesten handelt, die das Leben vieler Menschen verändert haben – wir wollen neue Geschichten ins Rampenlicht rücken und eine visuelle Hommage an die Widerstandskraft, den Mut und das alltägliche Held*innentum schaffen.
Transitions as lived stories of heroism. Mathis Benestebe shows how you can become a hero for and within yourself, connecting the concentrated autobiographical opening of the series with other parallel trajectories, human experiences of transition, all of which ultimately find different forms of embodiment.
Growing old as a queer person and thriving is an accomplishment till this day. This in itself makes the subjects heroes and role models for a lot of lgbtqia+ people. The joy and playfulness of the series is a fresh and well needed tone of representation.
Meret Eberl does not, in the best possible way, close-cut capture her protagonists and their experiences. In her compositions, there is room for questions and space for the human experience.
The series „Life without a Parachute“ shows great and grand moments in queer history and significant, far-reaching success stories, celebrated stars and individuals who fought for political achievements for the queer community far beyond the US-American context.
Lou Fajardo shows everyday heroes in the Philippines who gently and tenderly create spaces of care and self-care. The series emphasizes the desire for legal protection and justice for the LGBTQIA+ communities in the Philippines.
The series House of Realness raises the question of agency and representation through stereotypical imagery and expectations of specifically gay queerness in the townships of Johannesburg, but also creates space for new, heroic imaginations.
Kuln’zu’s portrait series shows young queer people from the cultural scene of Nairobi (Kenya), visionary heroes who create spaces for visibility and representation in a powerful cultural and artistic practice.
Chantal Regnault’s series is iconic. She gives us heroes that continue to echo and reverberate around the world. Ballroom is held up as a place of self-realization, of protection, of family of choice, but also of courage.
Bela Varadi’s heroes celebrate their queerness and “Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT)” identity as an enigmatic and celebratory fusion. The protagonists not only shine in the photographs themselves, expressing themselves, but are also active in activism, educational work and community work.
Pia Vogel shows that the private, the personal, the local is deeply meaningful. Queer solidarity, learning from each other and supporting each other on a direct personal level of love, care and community is powerful and heroic.
In a particularly fluid and poetic way, Cansu Yıldıran sheds light on queer people who have been subjected to violence. Through the use of documentary imaginations, Cansu Yıldıran creates a kind of mythical space for the empathetic, loving commemoration of heroes whose names have not (yet) been commemorated.
Source Material
The source material was edited and interpreted by Christina Bauernfeind, jury member since 2023. Project descriptions and author biographies are informed by self-descriptions and details provided by the artists in response to the festival exhibition calls, collective jury statements, and discussions.
Quellen
Die Texte wurden von Christina Bauernfeind, Jurymitglied seit 2023, bearbeitet und interpretiert. Die Projektbeschreibungen und Autorenbiografien beruhen auf Texten der Künstlerinnen und Künstler beim Fotowettbewerb und auf kollektiven Jurystatements und Diskussionen.
