In collaboration with the Gender Studies Department of the University of Art and Design Linz, Gleichbehandlung Referat, Kultur Referat, 5UHR Tee Dokapi, and Dorf TV, we successfully illuminated the transformative journey towards a hybrid Porn and Trans being. These subjects, long obscured by taboos within the university setting, were brought to the forefront in an open dialogue, challenging the longstanding vetoes surrounding them.
The symposium successfully initiated discussions and encouraged proactive engagement, challenging the status quo. It crossed through a variety of forms and media, such as photography, video and performance. Through the span of three weeks we discussed our own alternative vision of sexual identity and gender, always based on a strong feminist political position. We also deconstructed the sexual subject of feminism in order to develop a discourse that was closer to practices around pro-sex feminism or transfeminism.
We dealt with orgasm and violence, with the sexuality of older women, with the performativity of our gender, with sexual violence, with virtual sex, with alternative maternities, with orgasmic childbirth. But above all, we explored sexuality/intimacy as a powerful force of creation and as a necessary political weapon for questioning the society we live in.
We talked about Post porn, queer politics and post feminism. Post porn as part of the ‘Do it yourself culture’, Post porn festivals, and women and porn. These were some of the artists and creators we talked about (and of course saw some excerpts of their work): Diana J. Pornoterrorista, «Yes, we fuck», Post Op, Annie Sprinkle, Emilie Jouvet, Maria Beatty, Tejal Shah, BruceLaBruce, Julia Ostertag, Go Fist Foundation, Virginie Despentes, Shu Lea Cheang, Barbara De Geneviere, Tim Stüttgen, Beatriz Preciado, and Belladonna, among others.
This symposium successfully broke the silence surrounding transformative journeys, providing a platform for discussion, artistic expression, and collaborative action within the university community. Together, we embarked on a journey of self-discovery and societal transformation.
In the nuanced orchestration of the Symposium, I assumed the pivotal roles of Principal Investigator, Co-Curator, and Producer, shaping an event that delved into the realms of queer, post-feminist politics, and performance at the University of Art and Design Linz. My multifaceted responsibilities included co-curating and co-producing two conferences, a workshop, four activities, and seven performances. I took charge of editing reflective texts and spearheaded the communication and diffusion efforts for the event, serving as the main contact person throughout.
One notable achievement arising from the Symposium was the establishment of a theoretical subject focused on post-pornographic practices within the Cultural Studies Department at the University of Art and Industrial Design Linz in 2015. This initiative not only contributed to academic discourse but also fostered active engagement within the scientific and student community of the University.
Crucially, the financial support for this endeavor came from the Austrian National Students’ Union ÖH, enabling the realization of a vibrant and intellectually enriching Symposium. The distinguished participants, including Dr. Phil. Herbert Hechmayer (AT), Didi Bruckmayr (AT), Maria Llopis (ES), Angelika Peroni (AT), gula gula (U), Dj X Glow (AT), Tamara Máscara (AT), Roland Laimer (AT), Jens Höffken (DE), Ursula Graber & Vilte Svarplyte (AT), and KEOS (AT), added diverse perspectives and expertise, making the Symposium a truly collaborative and impactful experience.
