The Painting of a Disabled Man from the 16th century.
a participatory action research project
This page provides the following information:
Content
A painting from the 16th century that had not yet been taken notice of is the starting point of this project. For more than 400 years, this Painting of a Disabled Man has been part of the famous Chamber of Art and Curiosities at Ambras Castle near Innsbruck in Austria.
In the course of the project, two other historical paintings were found that are significant for the analysis of the cultural presentation of disability: a leaflet from 1620 showing Wolfgang Gschaidter, a carpenter with a disability, and a small picture from 1578, showing Elizabeth, a woman with a learning disability.
The discussion and analysis of different gazes towards men and women with disabilities are at the center of attention: Gazes at women and men with disabilities from the early modern times up until today – how can they be interpreted scientifically and artistically? How can women and men with disabilities contribute their knowledge to this today?
Historical starting point
3 pictures of the 16th/17th century:
Painting of a disabled Man, 2nd half, 16th century.
(Schloss Ambras near Innsbruck, KHM)
Wolfgang Gschaidter, 1620
(Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck)
Elisabeth, at 1578
(Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien)
Further Information
You can find more detailed information about the project, the method of PAR (participatory action research) and about the project's exhibition in a handout for a presentation at the San Francisco Bay Area Disability Studies Consortium on Feb. 23rd 2007:
- Petra Flieger & Volker Schönwiese: The Painting of a Disabled Man from the 16th century - a participatory action research project (44 pages, pdf, 40kB)
- Petra Flieger: The participatory approach of the research project "Painting of a disabled Man"
- Volker Schönwiese: The Painting of a Disabled Man. Study on the representation of disability and its relevance for today
- Volker Schönwiese: The Portrait of a Sixteenth-Century Disabled Man
- Rebecca Mallett: The Portrait of a Disabled Man. Scientific review of the film
- Christian Mürner & Volker Schönwiese: Wolfgang Gschaidter - Symbol of Innsbruck
- Scientific review of the film: Rebecca Mallet - Review 2010 (rtf, 1181kB)
- Verena Oberhöller-Brown: About the Portrait of Elisabeth: between recognition and projection
- Hila Kohner: Between Flowers and Disability: A Portrait of a Disabled Man in Ambras Castle
Project partners
"Independent Living Innsbruck/Austria", "Institute of Educational Sciences, University of Innsbruck" and "Collection Ambras Castle, Innsbruck, Museum of Art History, Vienna". Scientific program TRAFO.
The project group
Heinz Brandmayr, Mag.a Karin Flatz, Mag.a Petra Flieger, Dr. Thomas Kuster, Dr. Christian Mürner, Mag.a Ulrike Pfeifenberger, Mag.a Margot Rauch, Dr.in jur. Anna Reiter, Mag.a Christine Riegler, A.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Volker Schönwiese, DSA David Sporschill, Mag. Harald Stauber, Georg Urban, DSAin Erika Zwicklhuber
Documentary film
The Portrait of a Disabled Man.
Gazes at the history of people with disabilities
Running time: 45 minutes
Release date: 2008
Language: German
Closed captioned: available in German and English
Visual description/ Audio description: available in German and English
Film production:
Director/ producer: Bernd Thomas (arbeitsgemeinschaft behinderung und medien e.V., Munich, Germany) and Volker Schönwiese (University of Innsbruck)
Contact:
Prof. Volker Schönwiese
Institute of Educational Sciences,
University of Innsbruck,
Liebeneggstr. 8,
A-6020 Innsbruck/ AUSTRIA
Tel.: 0043- (0)512-507-4049
E-Mail: volker.schoenwiese@uibk.ac.at
The film can be ordered at:
ABM - Arbeitsgemeinschaft Behinderung und Medien,
Bonner Platz 1,
D- 80803 München/ GERMANY
Telefon: +49 89 307992-0
Fax: +49 89 307992-22
E-Mail: info@abm-medien.de
Internet: www.abm-medien.de
The film on YouTube
New! The film "The portrait of a Disabled Man" is also available on Youtube.
Awards for the documentary
International film award 2010
at "Picture this...international disability film festival" in Calgary/Kanada
Festival website: www.ptff.org
Category Over 30 minutes: Award
Volker Schönwiese und Bernd Thomas receive the award from Minister Mary Anne Jablonski (Government of Alberta/Canada), February 6, 2010
(photo: Jeff Yee/Calgary)
Jury Comments:
- good look at disability culture - exceptional cinematography - really draws you in - very educational - very interesting perspective - unique approach - historical art and disability - well done - well filmed - engaging - certainly worked - excellent - innovative - engaging - intriguing story - a mystery to be solved
Superfest 2010
international disability film festival, Berkeley California
"Achievement Award"
2010 the festival received 57 entries from 9 countries, competing for only thirteen awards.
Christine Riegler (member of the project group) receives the award from Liane C. Yasumoto (CDT/Superfest Director)
Award gala in Berkeley, California, on June 4 & 5, 2010
Further Information: www.culturedisabilitytalent.org