Freies Wien (Free Vienna)
Women role models have always been revolutionary. Women who change the world they live in, striving for improvements in areas otherwise overlooked. Maria Theresia was such a woman. An Austrian empress, she was meant to be a figurehead for lack of a male heir. She did not agree with this arrangement, however, actively ruling her empire for 40 years and instating innumerable reforms while bearing 16 children. It took courage and resolution to address the issues of her time. The issues may be different today, but we need no less courage to solve them. Women need to be championing these issues — we need role models and revolutionaries today just as much as ever. We need women who will follow their dreams regardless of the difficulties along the way. The Wiener Linien, with a world record of 3 women directors, is doing its part to face tomorrow’s challenges today. The environmentally friendly Greener Linien is a clear path to a greener city, free of carbon dependencies and offering tailored mobility solutions to fit each person’s needs. With a shared vision for a greener, hopeful, unified future, it is a vision that includes everyone and in which everyone can turn a dream into reality. It is a vision of tomorrow that is rooted in the past and has already begun today.
This piece is based on a photo of one of the first women trolley drivers and video stills from the Wiener Linien archives. The past, present and future (represented by the crane) are shown, the women using a typical hand gesture in Austria. A map of Vienna and a depiction of future subway stops are depicted in a style honoring the legacy of Klimt. Painted with oil, gold and silver on canvas.
Weibliche Vorbilder waren schon immer Revolutionärinnen. Sie waren Frauen, die etwas verändert haben, die die Welt in eine bessere Richtung gelenkt haben. Eine Österreicherin, die in ihrem Land Grundsteine für die Zukunft gelegt hat, war Maria Theresia. Heute gibt es andere Probleme. Aber auch heute braucht es Mut und Selbstbewusstsein, um diesen Hindernissen zu begegnen. Dass Frauen dabei eine große Rolle spielen sollten, versteht sich von selbst. Es braucht Revolutionärinnen, es braucht Vorbilder. Es braucht Frauen, die ihren Träumen folgen, egal wie schwierig es zu sein scheint, sie zu erreichen. Auch die Wiener Linien leisten ihren Teil, um gegen die Krisen unserer Zeit anzukämpfen. Greener Linien stehen für Nachhaltigkeit und für ein besseres Morgen. Für ein Morgen, in dem wir gleichberechtigt sind und alle die Möglichkeit bekommen, unsere Wünsche zu verwirklichen. Ein Morgen, das schon heute begonnen hat.