The successful exhibition The Language of Goddesses is being extended for 2026 due to great public interest and can once again be seen from 14 March to 29 November 2026 at MAMUZ Castle Asparn/Zaya.
The many positive responses have clearly shown how relevant and fascinating the theme is. New in 2026 is an accompanying booklet that offers visitors deeper insights into the curatorial considerations of the artist and philosopher Elisabeth von Samsonow and the archaeologist Katharina Rebay-Salisbury.

During the activity weekend from 4 to 6 April 2026, all events will focus on the exhibition: the two curators will personally guide visitors through the show, and the artists Francesca Aldegani and Ida-Marie Corell will provide immediate insights and explain their works. Author Gertraud Klemm will present her widely acclaimed publication Farewell to the Phallocene.

Prehistoric female figurines have inspired artists for many generations. This fascination can be traced up to the present day – from Egon Schiele’s sketches of the Venus of Willendorf (1918) to Meret Oppenheim’s bronze Primeval Venus (1933), and to contemporary pieces such as Louise Bourgeois’ photograph in which she appears wearing a voluminous body mask. In the 20th century in particular, these prehistoric representations opened up new female perspectives on the narration of history, providing an alternative to the male‑dominated historical discourse.

The exhibition The Language of Goddesses presents female‑associated prehistoric finds, primarily from Austria, and juxtaposes them with works by international contemporary artists.

On display are works by, among others: Egon Schiele, Judy Chicago, Pierre Bouillon, Meret Oppenheim, Louise Bourgeois, Maresa Jung, Nicole Malbec, Anna Anvidalfarei, Marina Stiegler, Francesca Aldegani, Mari Otberg, Elisabeth von Samsonow, Renate Bertlmann, Gerti Machacek, Sascha Zaitseva, Laura Hirch, Maria Biljan-Bilger, Ida-Marie Corell, Larissa Kopp, Florian Aschka, Iris Andraschek, Anabel Scheffold, Ulli Lust, Lizzy Mayrl and Linda Steiner.

Archaeological highlights include the Venus figurines from Eggendorf, Falkenstein, Willendorf (replica) and Langenzersdorf (replica), the human figures from Langenlebarn, as well as the Women’s Toad from Maissau and the Votive Toad from Munich.

Works by Egon Schiele, Judy Chicago, Pierre Bouillon, Meret Oppenheim, Louise Bourgeois, Maresa Jung, Nicole Malbec, Anna Anvidalfarei, Marina Stiegler, Francesca Aldegani, Mari Otberg, Elisabeth von Samsonow, Renate Bertlman, Gerti Machacek, Sascha Zaitseva, Laura Hirch, Maria Biljan-Bilger, Ida-Marie Corell, Larissa Kopp, Florian Aschka, Iris Andraschek, Anabel Scheffold, Ulli Lust, Lizzy Mayrl and Linda Steiner. Highlights from an archaeological perspective are the Venus figurines from Eggendorf, Falkenstein, Willendorf (replica) and Langenzersdorf (replica), the human figurines from Langenlebarn as well as the female toad from Maissau and the votive toad from Munich.

The scientific director of MAMUZ, Franz Pieler, is delighted with the success:
“Last year’s positive public response impressively showed that prehistoric representations of women still move us today. I am therefore particularly pleased that we are able to present The Language of Goddesses again in 2026. The exhibition enables a unique dialogue between archaeological finds and contemporary art.”

The two curators, Elisabeth von Samsonow, artist and philosopher, and Katharina Rebay-Salisbury, archaeologist, who approach the subject from different perspectives, have closely related the exhibition objects from art and archaeology.
Katharina Rebay-Salisbury views the theme from an archaeological standpoint:
“The exhibition presents prehistoric representations of humans from Austria and Europe in dialogue with works by international female artists. From the iconic Venus figurines of hunter-gatherer societies to finds from the Neolithic and the Metal Ages, the enduring reception of archaeological discoveries is illustrated.”

Elisabeth von Samsonow, artist and philosopher, reflects:
“The extension of this exhibition recognises the fact that the topic resonates strongly with the spirit of the times. The Language of Goddesses is more than a display of archaeological finds and artworks – it is an experiment, an open space for thinking in which our ideas of the feminine in the past, present and future can unfold.”

The scientific director of MAMUZ, Franz Pieler, is delighted with the success:
“Last year’s positive public response impressively demonstrated that prehistoric depictions of women continue to move us today. I am therefore particularly pleased that we are able to present The Language of Goddesses again in 2026. The exhibition enables a unique dialogue between archaeological finds and contemporary art.”

An accompanying booklet to the exhibition is available in the museum shop for €12.90. The presentation of the booklet will take place on Monday, 6 April 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

The exhibition was created in cooperation with the Institute for Prehistory and Historical Archaeology at the University of Vienna and the Austrian Archaeological Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.