Political Landscape

The Ausseerland and its surroundings are not only characterized by their picturesque charms but also have a collective political history. Various movements for and against Hitler’s fascism were gathered here during the 1940s. Here, like underneath a burning glass, events such as art theft, treason, active and passive resistance, flight, and murder culminated. To this day, the complexities and contradictions of this time have a normative influence on our political system.

2015 a large-scale project entitled political landscape focused on the liberation of Europe from the Nazi totalitarianism seventy years prior. In the high mountains, six artistic works  were created, two of which will be visited during this hike: Eva Grubingers Igel and Florian Hüttners Unterschlupf (Schildkröte).

The spiky sculpture by Eva Grubinger is located at the eponymous hiding place of members of the Austrian opposition used during the years 1944 to 1945. From here, the mountain Salzberg Sandling, in which artworks stolen by Nazis were hidden in tunnels, can be seen.

The wall painting on natural stone by Florian Hüttner references the spatial situation of the Igel, comparing it to the protection provided by the cave this artwork is located at. The painting shows a propagandistic motif used in the Russian partisan fight in Ukrainian Cyrillic.

Both artworks will be discussed further during the hike by Elisabeth Fiedler, head of the Institute of Art in Public Space Styria. Additionally, the social scientist Günther Marchner and historian Wolfgang Quatember will provide further insight into the historical, political and cultural context of the time.

Meeting place: 8:30 AM at theBlaa Alm, Lichtersberg 73a, 8992 Altaussee

 Beginning: 9 AM