Spanning four centuries, Homosexuality_ies, an exhibition presented by the Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Schwules Museum* in Berlin, offers one of the most complete looks at the history of homosexuality to date. Blending media and pulling in artists from around the globe, Homosexuality_ies traces the development of the LGBT community from the eighteenth century up to the present day, before looking forward to what the future could hold for gender and sexuality.
In utilizing archival material and artifacts as well as pieces of art, both contemporary and historical, the joint-exhibition, which is actually spread across two locations, is able to delve deeper than a collection purely oriented towards either history or art.
Photos courtesy of exhibition: Portrait Claire Waldoff, by Emil Orlik; Soldier Friendship, by Anonymous; Nazi concentration camp chart
In a statement, organizers focused on the importance of exhibiting such material in mainstream institutions:
"Given the ongoing, worldwide discourse on equal rights for homosexuals and transgender people, both institutions view this exhibition as an opportunity to position a socially and politically current topic in the middle of society."
Organized thematically, some of sections of Homosexuality_ies are medical attempts to "cure" homosexuality, legal persecution, the gay and lesbian liberation movements, coming out stories, and current debates surrounding trans people. Artists include Monica Bonvicini, Louise Bourgeois, Heather Cassils, Michael Elmgreen & Ingar Dragset, Zanele Muholi, Henrik Olesen, Sturtevant, and Andy Warhol.
Homosexuality_ies runs through December 1 at the Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Schwules Museum* in Berlin. For more information, visit the website.
