Archaeosexism (archéo-sexisme) is the exhibition’s title hosted at the Rectorate of the University of Lleida. The exhibition denounces sexist harassment and assaults in this scientific field, particularly in fieldwork and excavations.
“You handle the broom, as you’re already good at it, and I’ll stay up here; that way, I can supervise and admire your ass.” This is one of the real testimonies from the twenty featured in the exhibition Archaeosexism, which will be on display at the University of Lleida (UdL) until November 15.
The exhibition, consisting of 24 panels, will be on view in the Cloister of the Heures halls. Through twenty testimonies illustrated by various artists, the stories highlight inappropriate behaviors, including sexual assaults, at archaeological sites. The exhibit aims to promote diversity and equality through ethics in the research world, raise awareness, and foster change in the patriarchal dynamics that have prevailed in this field for decades.
Images help us better share emotions and make an impact to change things for both professionals and students,” explains one of the curators of the initiative, Ségolène Vandelvelde.
The illustrations by Elléa Bird, Laurier the Fox, Jane dans la Jungle, Julia Leblanc, Cam, Peter Trelcat, Rosalie Loncin, Mina Perrichon, Océane Corallo, and Louise Ternat denounce instances of sexism, work organization based on gender, and harassment, as well as racism, classism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia.
Going a step further, the exhibition provides general advice on how to respond to discrimination, such as having a confidential help or alert procedure in place during excavations.
The Archéo-sexisme exhibition was first featured at the Maison de l’Archéologie et de l’Ethnologie de Nanterre on March 8, 2019, to mark International Women’s Rights Day.
After touring in three languages (French, English, and Dutch) across 7 countries (France, including French Polynesia, England, Belgium, the United States, Greece, Canada, and Switzerland), it arrived in Catalonia, thanks to an initiative by the ICAC-CERCA Equality Committee.
The current exhibition at the University of Lleida (UdL) was inaugurated on Wednesday, October 9, by the Vice-Rector of Research at the University of Lleida and archaeologist, Natàlia Alonso, and the Vice-Rector of Social Engagement, Equality, and Cooperation, Núria Camps. The event included a presentation by two members of the ICAC-CERCA Equality Committee, Lydia Gil and Lídia Colominas, and a talk by the researcher from the ARQHISTEC-GIP research group at UdL, Ariadna Nieto, titled From Invisibility to Impunity: (De)crypting Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in Archaeology.
The itinerant exhibition ‘Archaeosexism’ is an initiative created by the French association Archéo-Éthique and the project Paye ta Truelle to denounce sexism and sexual assaults in archaeology, particularly in fieldwork and excavations. The exhibition, which has already toured several countries, was brought to Catalonia thanks to the ICAC-CERCA Equality Committee, in collaboration with the URV and other institutions.
The exhibit began its journey at the CRAI Campus Catalunya of the URV in December 2023, and after a resounding success with over 67,000 visitors at various CRAI locations at the URV, it continues its tour across other Catalan universities. Currently, it can be visited at the Rectorate of the University of Lleida, where it was inaugurated with the participation of members of the ICAC-CERCA Equality Committee and representatives of the University of Lleida.
After its stay at the University of Lleida, the exhibition will continue its tour to other Catalan universities, including Pompeu Fabra University and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
