With the prestigious series "KunstBewusst", the Freunden des Wallraf-Richartz-Museums & des Museum Ludwig e.V. have been bringing together art historians and intellectuals on topics relating to art, culture and history for several years. As part of this series and the exhibition "Susanna - Bilder einer Frau vom Mittelalter bis MeToo" ("Susanna - Images of a Woman from the Middle Ages to MeToo"), Prasanna Oommen moderated a panel discussion at the Walraff-Richartz-Museum on January 26, 2023: „Susanna und die Alten…Meister II“.
Together with five guests, she traced the arc from the original Susanna narrative to the 21st century and asked: What contribution can museums make to contemporary debates? And what can art and cultural institutions offer in order to be able to talk about topics that concern a diverse urban society without presuppositions - regardless of generational affiliation, gender, social class or ethnicity?
Overarching the panel addressed societal power relations, gender roles and constructions, sexualized violence, and moral courage.
Panelists:
- Mithu Sanyal, Writer, cultural scientist & journalist
- Marina Weisband, Psychologist and expert for digital participation and education
- Patricia Engel, art historian
- Klaus Theweleit, literary scientist, cultural theorist & writer
- Dominik Meiering, downtown priest and cathedral chaplain in Cologne
The live broadcast of the event was recorded and will soon be available for viewing on the YouTube Channel KunstfreundeSalon .
Image: © Jessica Schiefer