International Women's Day at NHM Vienna: Diverse Roles in the Past and Future

The Natural History Museum Vienna is organizing an action week with various offerings on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8. At the center of this is the book project "13 Women from the History of the NHM Vienna," which aims to tell the development of the institution "from a female perspective," according to co-editor Stefanie Jovanovic-Kruspel. Additionally, the "Emperor's Portrait" on the grand staircase will temporarily feature a female face.

The action week is under the motto "Reframed: Women in Focus" and aims to increase the visibility of the many women who have shaped the NHM in its nearly 300-year history. "As beautiful as the book appears, it also makes clear that it is not a feel-good topic," emphasized NHM Director General Katrin Vohland.

Book Project: Competition and Equality in the History of the NHM in Vienna

Historically, Vohland mentioned access to education, but also to the labor market as hurdles. Women were often seen as competition in male-dominated professions. "And this fear of competition still exists," said Vohland. The fight for equality and equal value is "still an important but also arduous process."

The book "13 Women," an "artistic as well as scientific experiment," is understood by Jovanovic-Kruspel as a first attempt to view the NHM from a different perspective. It is the "ambitious goal to do justice to the history of the collection, but also to the diversity of roles that women have taken on." This begins with Archduchess Maria Theresa and extends over the world traveler Ida Pfeiffer and anthropologist Gabriele Thalmann-Gruber to collector Eva Vartian or zoologist Anita Gamauf. In addition to extensive texts, there is also poetry by Brigitta Schmid as well as short comics created by female artists from the Vienna Art School.

"Is That It?" - A Look into an Equal Future

"But we didn't want to remain in the past," Jovanovic-Kruspel referred to the 13th portrait, which depicts a fictional employee of the house in the year 2041. After all, according to co-editor Andrea Krapf from the NHM's publishing house, one must ask regarding equality: "Is that it? Can it get even better?" For the curator Ava Babacan, who is brought into the picture through AI illustration, equality is completely unquestionable. "That is what we strive for," said Krapf. "Equality is so self-evident that it requires no further mention."

Action Week at the Vienna NHM for International Women's Day

The publication is not only presented during the action week but is also reflected in the NHM's exhibitions: This includes specially highlighted objects from female collectors or preparators as well as the installation "Invisible," which, using a historical bucket and mop, refers to the many invisible female employees of the house. Tours also offer a behind-the-scenes look at the house, even going up to the roof. The "Empress Image" designed by graphic artist Josef Muhsil-Schamall causes a stir, now drawing attention when walking up the grand staircase: Instead of the usual Franz Stephan I of Lorraine, it is now Maria Theresa, surrounded by fictional noble ladies. And one of them is even browsing through "13 Women."

Sabine von Mering from the Museum of Natural History in Berlin emphasizes the importance of international networking in women's research during a lecture on Wednesday. She will also lead internal workshops, as the work started with the book is only the first step. It is important to sensitize the house's employees when they come across relevant references in archives or collections, Jovanovic-Kruspel stressed to the APA. "There is certainly reason to hope that we can continue. But it must be approached slowly." This way, one might one day receive "a mosaic that is meaningful."

(APA/Red)

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