Half of the Sky
Lecture & Performance
Yun Qiu & Yinfu Gao
In 1968, Chairman Mao famously said, “Women hold up half the sky,” a phrase that has since become iconic in China. We, as a younger generation of Chinese women, have our own critiques, interpretations, and understandings towards "Half the Sky". Under the theme of "Half the Sky", Yun Qiu and Yinfu Gao present both a research lecture and a performance:
Lecture : A Revisit of "Half of the Sky"
Yun Qiu, a Fellow of the “German Chancellor Fellowship 2023/2024” based in Berlin, will explore the groundbreaking exhibition “Half of the Sky: Contemporary Chinese Women Artists,” which introduced Chinese women artists to Europe at the Frauenmuseum in Bonn in 1998. The lecture will cover the exhibition's historical context, curatorial process, key artworks, and its lasting impact. As a young researcher and curator with a feminist perspective, Qiu aims to ensure that the spirit of this landmark exhibition remains vibrant in today's world, fostering connections across generations and borders.
Performance : Half of the Sky, the Whole Sky
Yinfu’s performance is based on personal stories and family history. For her, her mother is not just “half the sky,” but someone who holds up the entire sky. Yinfu was raised by all the female family members: mother, grandmother, two aunties. When she entered university at 17, she encountered the books of a famous Chinese feminist, writer, and revolutionary in a library — who also happened to be part of her family. Her pen name was Ding Ling. Initially, Yinfu was drawn to the beautiful and melancholic photo of Ding Ling. It wasn’t until Yinfu was 27, while working on her own performance “Mulans” and researching the history of Chinese feminism, that she fully realized the profound impact Ding Ling’s generation of feminists had on Yinfu’s own life today.
Thanks for the lovely support : Frauenreferat Frankfurt, Frankfurt LAB

Amission free
Please make a reservation at: yinfu.gao@idfrankfurt.com
Language: English
5 - 6 p.m.
Lecture: Qiu Yun - A Revisit of "Half of the Sky"
6.15 - 7 p.m.
Performance : Yinfu Gao - "Half of the Sky, the Whole Sky"