Discover Germany | Culture | Attraction of the Month, Austria
AT T R A C T I O N O F T H E M O N T H , A U S T R I A
Contemporary art in an iconic environment The façade of the Viennese Secession is graced by the following programmatic words: To every time its art. To art its freedom. Following this theme, the exhibition space that was built in the unique architectural tradition around 1900 is realising a diverse international programme aiming to present contemporary forms of expression.
There is also Avery Singer and her exhibition Sailor. With this show, Singer is presenting a collection of new large images. In her works, Singer has been showing a tendency for the abstract and thus creating new image spaces.
TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS
There is a wonderful, constant dialogue between the Secession as a space and the art that is shown. Although more than a century old, the architecture is still young in functionality and timeless elegance. Naturally the contrasts that can be created by displaying contemporary works are stimulating and thoughtful. But the building itself is also a source of inspiration, both for visitors and especially for artists. Apart from the main room, there is a further space on the upper floor and three more rooms in the downstairs gallery. In that way, the building demands the exhibiting artist’s individual interpretation, making each show a different experience. An early masterpiece exhibition was the Beethoven exhibit of 1902. Lasting from April to June, the show was created by 21 artists led by Josef Hoffmann. At the 52 | Issue 46 | January 2017
heart of the exhibition was the Beethoven statue by Max Klinger and Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze, which has been on permanent display at the Secession since 1988. In its entirety, the Beethoven show was a perfect creation for the Secessions understanding of art, as the individual crafts – architecture, painting, sculpting and music – were brought together in an exceptional vision. Currently, the Secession is occupied by two exhibitions. On the one hand, there is Francis Alÿs and Le temps du sommeil, an ongoing series of 111 paintings. Alÿs began this body of works in 1996 and is reworking or repairing some of the pieces at times, adding new context and new strokes. This nurtures their general feel, which could be described as capturing moments in time.
Both exhibitions last until the 22 January 2017. www.secession.at Left: Secession Vienna Façade. Photo: © Jori Aust Top right: Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze. Photo: © Oliver Ottenschlaeger Below right: Francis Alÿs Le temps du sommeil. Photo: © Francis Alÿs, Galerie Peter Kilchmann
2017 EXHIBITIONS 2 February – 26 March: Svenja Deininger, Gabriel Sierra, Angelika Loderer 6 April – 18 June: Jean-Luc Moulène, Rosa Barba, Anoka Faruqee June – August: Alex Da Corte, Ericka Beckman September – November: Nicole Eisenman, Toni Schmale, Chadwick Rantanen November – January 2018: R. H. Quaytman, Olga Chernysheva