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ARTMUC in Munich: Art for a good Cause
About
The ARTMUC Art Fair, one of the most important hybrid platforms for contemporary art in southern Germany, will once again open its doors in Munich from May 1 to 4, 2025. Since its founding in 2014, ARTMUC has supported social projects with every edition. This year, it is committed to the international project "Stop Female Genital Mutilation" to raise awareness of this urgent social issue. In cooperation with the Soroptimist-Club Dubai, artworks will be made available for a silent auction. The proceeds will go directly to a relief project.
The silent auction will take place during all four days of the ARTMUC. Visitors will have the opportunity to place bids on the exhibited artworks and actively contribute to the project’s support. With this initiative, ARTMUC once again proves that art can not only inspire but also drive social change.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a form of violence against women and a violation of their human rights. Every 11 seconds, a girl is intentionally injured in her genital area —worldwide! The most common justification is tradition: circumcision symbolizes adherence to the customs and values of the family or tribe and is seen as a prerequisite for social acceptance as a woman.
International female artists make a statement
More than 200 international artists will exhibit their works at ARTMUC. A special highlight: Petra Kaltenbach, the renowned artist from Dubai, is donating a sculpture from her series "Everybody's Darling" to the silent auction. Petra uses the pomegranate as a symbol of transformation. For her, this divine fruit represents transformative qualities such as love, beauty, health, and wealth. Petra presents the pomegranate as a sign of hope and promise — full of life, but also rich in myths and legends. It captures her spirit and love for nature and conveys a message of optimism and positive energy.
“The pomegranate is feminine and spreads love into the world — that is exactly the purpose of my artwork. Because love is the greatest transformative force.” – Petra Kaltenbach
Photographer Antje M. Pohsegger from Berlin is also committed to the project. A central focus of her work is "breaking blades – break off FGM/C", a photojournalistic exhibition that artistically processes the topic in a multimedia format. Since 2019, she has devoted herself to this project with the goal of giving a voice to those affected and raising awareness. She has created a special piece for the silent auction at ARTMUC that can be bid on.
"It remains important to talk about taboos, break them, and thus protect girls and young women. They should be allowed to decide about their own bodies," explains Antje Pohsegger.
Manuela Nitsche, the current president of Soroptimist International Germany, is also taking part in the auction. The master goldsmith and member of the Soroptimist-Club Munich 2002 is the first craftswoman to lead the organization. As an independent entrepreneur, she balances career, volunteer work, and private life — representing a generation of women who take on responsibility on many levels.She is contributing one of her personally designed jewelry pieces to the silent auction.
"Every piece of jewelry becomes a companion to the person wearing it. My designs are meant to be long-lasting companions that continue to bring sparkle and joy."
About her work as a Soroptimist, she adds:"Our society is fast-paced and complex. Tackling the pressing issues of the future requires strong networks. It's about visibly creating connections and standing together as a global voice for women."