A new MoMA exhibition bridges the gap between 1970s feminist photography and modern body politics.
At the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, a new exhibition titled 'Taking Back Our Space: Photographic Perspectives' is challenging the way we perceive the human form in public environments. The exhibition finds its heartbeat in the work of Marianne Wex, a German artist whose groundbreaking 1970s project analyzed the gendered nature of body language. Wex’s work, which was acquired by MoMA in 2018, serves as the foundational spark for a contemporary dialogue involving seven modern artists.
The exhibition moves beyond simple observation, inviting these seven contemporary creators to respond to Wex’s legacy through their own photographic lenses. By examining how bodies occupy space, the artists explore intersectional feminist perspectives and the subtle, often unconscious ways that power dynamics are expressed through posture and presence. This isn't just a historical retrospective; it is an active investigation into how the politics of the body have evolved—or remained stagnant—over the last fifty years.
By placing Wex’s archival analysis alongside new works, the show highlights the enduring relevance of body politics. The participating artists use photography not just to document, but to reclaim space that has historically been restricted or defined by societal norms. The result is a sharp, visual conversation about autonomy, identity, and the physical manifestations of social structures. The exhibition is scheduled to run through January 2, 2027, offering a deep dive into the creative process of using the camera as a tool for social critique.
This exhibition demonstrates how archival research can be a powerful catalyst for new creative work. It inspires artists to look at historical feminist frameworks to address contemporary issues of identity and public space.
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