The exhibition ‘Orlan. Artistic Intelligences’ taking place at Muffatwerk in Munich marks a significant cultural moment as it presents the first solo exhibition of renowned French artist Orlan in Germany. Known for challenging traditional notions of identity and femininity, Orlan has utilized her own body as the medium for her artistic expression since the early 1990s, making radical statements about beauty and self-identity. In this unparalleled exhibition, visitors are invited to engage with Orlan's work that transcends the conventional boundaries of self-portraiture.

Orlan’s approach to her art involves what she terms as a transformation of her identity, which complicates traditional views of gender and body image. The artist employs various means, from performance art to surgical alterations, to explore the fluidity of identity and the societal constructs around femininity. By documenting her own bodily transformations, she provides a critique of how the media and cultural narratives shape perceptions of women's bodies.

This exhibition not only highlights Orlan's ongoing contributions to feminist art but also offers viewers a unique opportunity to reflect on their own perceptions of self and identity in a contemporary context. As such, her work serves as both an artistic endeavor and a critical commentary, inviting dialogue around ownership of one’s body and the rules society imposes on self-presentation, thus echoing broader societal themes relevant in today’s discourse about gender and individuality.