My first time ... at the Strauhof

I walk through the old town at 30 degrees. The heat slowly goes to my head. Finally I reach my destination: the Strauhof Literature Museum. The baroque town house is not obviously recognisable as a museum - if it weren't for the huge sign that says Strauhof in big letters. Inside, my longed-for cooling down awaits me, the building is air-conditioned and I can think clearly again.

Right next to the ticket office, the exhibition "litafrika - Artistic Encounters" begins, dedicated to 16 contemporary cultural artists from Africa. At first I read their biographies. But the reading is soon over, because the focus is on encounters between contemporary novels and artistic forms of expression. In short: eight prose excerpts are transferred into images, performances or music. For example, while I listen to curator Zukiswa Wanner reading from the novel Critical But, Stable by Angela Makholwa, I see on video how painter Michael Soi creates a colourful painting. As a novice to the African contemporary literature and art scene, the collaborations open up different perspectives on contemporary Africa for me.

After these manifold visual and auditory impressions, I go up one floor. The exhibition "Fruits of Knowledge" by Swedish comic artist Liv Strömquist begins with a historical excursion into the almost forgotten tradition of exposing female genitals; I am shown a variety of vulva depictions. I learn that the vulva, which is largely hidden today, has played a prominent role in cultural history. It was even said to have magical powers, for example to drive away the devil. Another focus is the series The Night Garden, which depicts menstruating ice dancers and caused controversy in Strömquist's home country. That something so natural should cause polemics seems very absurd to me. Strömquist has a talent for exposing absurdities around gender and sex with a lot of wit and sound background knowledge - so that you leave the exhibition not angry, but rather amused by the fragile male ego.

With numerous illustrations and a series of videos in which comedian Hella von Sinnen or punk musician Bela B read from Strömquist's works, this exhibition is also not designed for pure reading. The Literature Museum also proves to be a place for people who would not necessarily describe themselves as bookworms. It will certainly not be my last time at Strauhof.