Caution  M/Other (exhibition)​

 

Solo exhibition at Kunstraum M3, Berlin
10.01.2025 – 23.01.2024

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Motherhood, often idealized as the epitome of selfless care, is a role of endless contradictions, balancing love and sacrifice with relentless, unseen labor. It is deeply personal yet shaped by systemic expectations and societal norms that often remain invisible to those outside its experience. Mothers are expected to nurture with unconditional devotion while simultaneously excelling in professional spheres and maintaining a sense of self. These unattainable standards place women in a paradoxical position: they are revered for their sacrifices but penalized for pursuing their ambitions.

Through Caution M/Other, Slovenian artist Ana Kotar Škarjak examines motherhood as both a source of strength and a site of vulnerability. As a mother herself, Kotar Škarjak brings a personal perspective to her critique, transforming her lived experience into a universal inquiry. The title of the exhibition serves as a multilayered prompt: Caution warns of the risks inherent in the cultural myths surrounding motherhood, while M/Other suggests the tension between being a mother and maintaining an autonomous identity as "other." The slash signifies the division and interplay between these roles, highlighting the sacrifices that mothers make and the struggle to retain their individuality.

Central to Kotar Škarjak’s critique is the archetype of the sacrificial mother—a figure glorified for her selflessness but stripped of her agency. In Slovenian culture, as in many former Yugoslavian countries, this archetype is tied to historical narratives of survival and resilience, particularly in the wake of national hardships. Women were often seen as the emotional and physical bedrock of familial and communal life, expected to endure and provide care without complaint. Beyond Slovenia, similar archetypes persist in cultures worldwide, from the Christian ideal of the Virgin Mary as the ultimate nurturing mother to Confucian principles of filial piety that position maternal self-sacrifice as a moral obligation.

While these archetypes may seem antiquated, they remain deeply relevant. In contemporary society, women continue to be defined by caregiving expectations, often expected to work part-time or forgo professional advancement to prioritize family. These cultural ideals, though less overtly mythologized than in the past, still inform policies, social structures, and personal attitudes, reinforcing the undervaluation of caregiving and perpetuating cycles of unpaid and unrecognized labor. Kotar Škarjak’s work draws attention to this enduring narrative, revealing how the idealization of self-sacrifice erases the individuality and humanity of mothers, leaving behind figures defined solely by their service to others.

The exhibition also engages with Marianne Hirsch’s concept of postmemory, exploring how caregiving's emotional toll is transmitted across generations. By examining the ways in which the sacrifices of mothers are silently inherited by their children, Kotar Škarjak unveils the lingering psychological and cultural weight of caregiving. Her works invite viewers to consider how these legacies shape societal expectations and individual identities, creating a continuum where trauma and care coexist.

A performance piece, Who is Taking Care of the Caregiver?, presented at the exhibition’s opening, makes the emotional and physical toll of caregiving visible. Using a red jacket constructed from belts and inscribed strings attached by assistants, the performance transforms the artist into a living representation of the burdens placed on mothers. While this performance powerfully introduces the exhibition’s themes, other elements delve further into postmemory, exploring how the archetype of the sacrificial mother intersects with personal narratives and cultural histories.

Throughout the exhibition, the color red threads through as a symbol of love and sacrifice, its duality intensifying the emotional resonance of the works. Red evokes the intensity of maternal care and the demands that caregiving imposes, capturing its simultaneous beauty and hardship. By connecting personal narratives with collective cultural experiences, Kotar Škarjak reframes caregiving as a collective responsibility, challenging the cultural norms that isolate and undervalue this essential labor.

As viewers navigate the exhibition, they are invited to consider: What are the cultural myths surrounding motherhood, and how do they continue to shape women’s lives today? How do societal structures perpetuate the undervaluation of caregiving? Can mothers balance the demands of nurturing, personal ambition, and professional success without sacrificing their well-being? Caution M/Other challenges us to rethink these roles and responsibilities, urging a collective reimagining of caregiving as a practice that values not just the care recipients but also those who provide it.