Lilian Sauter, Gender matters! Or not? Breaking with stereotypes, Ceramics, water and flowers, 2023
In today's society, a diversity of gender roles is evident. External characteristics do not allow for a clear gender assignment or role. Often, unfortunately, the identification to one gender as male or female is mistakenly made and linked to certain stereotypes and gender-related role models. Girls and women are the gentle, tender and loving "flowers and blossoms" of society, at the same time protective and sacrificing themselves for the family, yet too tender to protect themselves. Men and boys form the opposite pole. Powerful, strong and brimming with protective instinct, they are the tough, unwavering and invincible heroes who protect women. Weakness is not an option. Only fighting and winning is an option for them. They are the trees of humanity, deeply rooted, unshakable, rough and strong.
Yet these gender roles are as outdated as they are unjustified. The artistic project questions these stereotypes. Men, women, non-binary, transgender, genderqueer, bigender, agender and every other gender identification group should be allowed to describe themselves with qualities that fit their character, regardless of their gender, and not have to submit to any stereotypes that have prevailed in our society for many thousands of years. Men are allowed to be delicate and emotionally the flowers of our society, women are allowed to go into battle, win and form the deep-rooted trees, non-binary people are allowed to be weak and strong at the same time, transgender people are allowed to be familial and protective... The bottom line is that regardless of our gender, we are all human beings. We are allowed to be everything, flowers and trees at the same time, rough and tender at the same time, vulnerable and unshakeable. We are us - with all the facets and characteristics we bring with us.
The artistic project "Gender matters! Or not?" accentuates the break with stereotypical gender roles.
Lilian Sauter studies art at the University of Augsburg for her profession as a teacher.