Kunsthaus Graz celebrates the 20^th anniversary of its existence with a differentiated reactivation of history that focuses on the unexposed and less visible aspects of past projects as well as on specific new artistic productions and performative interventions. On September 26, 2023, Andreja Hribernik and the curatorial team provided initial insights into the exhibitions and what visitors can expect during the upcoming celebrations.

In 2003, as part of the European Capital of Culture, Graz was given a new architectural landmark in the form of the Kunsthaus. The call of Up into the Unknown as conceived by the Kunsthaus architects Colin Fournier and Peter Cook was and is an adventurous invitation to test the boundaries of the imagination, a demand for the realisation of alternative ideas and utopias. Weaving a multitude of possible strands from history with the present and future becomes the leitmotif for a many-voiced speculation titled Re-Imagine the Future.

The Other

The Other addresses themes of identity, history, belonging and exclusion. In common perception, the concept of ‘other’ is almost always associated with a demarcation, a separation or a distinction attributed to something or someone. . The Other is a person who does not belong. From a Western perspective, the Other is defined as East, Far East, or exotic South. In the present, there has been a shift in the perception of the Other. According to Arjun Appadurai, someone’s differentness turns into a distinction that has no trajectory. Even more, it becomes fluid and dispersed.

Despite the charged concept of the Other, the exhibition is also about the potentials inherent in the concept of Otherness in relation to the current system, one based on the exploitation of people, nature and resources and to which there seems to be no alternative. The exhibition invites us to understand the concept of the ‘other’ as a way to dare to explore those asymmetrical relations that, on the one hand, maintain the exploitative relationship and, on the other, turn to historical and contemporary alternatives that support solidarity and comradeship, and rely on them.

With works by Nika Autor, Kader Attia, Rossella Biscotti, Black Quantum Futurism (BQF), Anetta Mona Chişa & Lucia Tkáčová, Jasmina Cibic, Lana Čmajčanin, Olafur Eliasson, IRWIN, Bouchra Khalili, Kapwani Kiwanga, Marina Naprushkina, Driton Selmani, Société Réaliste, Jonas Staal, Helene Thümmel, Hannes Zebedin

Trotz des aufgeladenen Konzepts des Anderen geht es in der Ausstellung auch um die Potenziale, die dem Konzept des Andersseins in Bezug auf das gegenwärtige System innewohnen, das auf der Ausbeutung von Menschen, Natur und Ressourcen beruht und zu dem es keine Alternative zu geben scheint. Die Ausstellung lädt dazu ein, das Konzept des „Anderen“ als eine Möglichkeit zu begreifen, die Erkundung jener asymmetrischen Beziehungen zu wagen, die einerseits das Ausbeutungsverhältnis aufrechterhalten und sich andererseits historischen und gegenwärtigen Alternativen zuwenden, die auf Solidarität und Kamerad*innenschaft setzen und sich darauf verlassen.

Mit Werken von Nika Autor, Kader Attia, Rossella Biscotti, Black Quantum Futurism (BQF), Anetta Mona Chişa & Lucia Tkáčová, Jasmina Cibic, Lana Čmajčanin, Olafur Eliasson, IRWIN, Bouchra Khalili, Kapwani Kiwanga, Marina Naprushkina, Driton Selmani, Société Réaliste, Jonas Staal, Helene Thümmel, Hannes Zebedin.

Sol LeWitt’s Wall. Performed

Als erste Einzelpräsentation im Kunsthaus Graz 2004 nutzte Sol LeWitts Wall den Space01 in Form einer monumentalen, geschwungenen, gestapelten Wand. Physisch erlebbar reflektierte sie die modulare Bauweise der Architektur, die industrielle Technologie und die außergewöhnlichen Dimensionen.

Sol LeWitt's Wall. Performed

As the first solo presentation at Kunsthaus Graz in 2004, Sol LeWitt’s Wall made use of Space01 in the form of a monumental, curved, stacked wall. The reactivation after 20 years opens up avenues for re-reading and re-contextualising LeWitt’s work, but also reflects a shift in institutional language with regard to artistic and political contexts.

The reactivation after 20 years opens up avenues for re-reading and re-contextualising LeWitt’s work, but also reflects a shift in institutional language with regard to artistic and political contexts. Since 2003, issues of co-creation and control have been critically examined. The specificity of the site no longer reflects only the architecture, it also embraces a broader understanding of context. A wall is therefore read today as a political statement, too. As a pivotal work by the influential conceptual artist, Wall in 2023 will occupy the space for an extended period, during which many different aspects of the work will be reflected upon.

Borrowing from LeWitt’s Paragraphs on Conceptual Art, the show starts from the idea. It then works through aspects of physicality, co-creation and questions of modularity. The reconstruction of the monumental physical drawing unfolds as a collaborative action and as a confrontational work that is challenged from different angles. Together with specially invited artists, the exhibition will provide space for contemplation of its conceptual as well as aesthetic form. Sol LeWitt’s Wall becomes a platform, a podium, a stage talking about the crossing, permeability and performativity of history, its form – and ultimately about political demarcations as well.

Fast Forward
In the stairwell of the Kunsthaus and in Space04, where catalogues, exhibition photos and editions invite the visitors to opportunity to look back on 20 years of programming at the Kunsthaus Graz: 1,227 artists, 207 exhibitions, 333 newly produced works, 122 BIX projects, around 700 (internal) events, 98 catalogues, 61 accompanying booklets and approx. 1,500,000 visitors.

After the opening speeches by the director of the Kunsthaus, Andreja Hribernik, and numerous political representatives, the exhibitions were opened. A participatory choral performance by Franz Jochum, choral conductor at the Kunstuniversität Graz, followed and a sound intervention by Winfried Ritsch introduced the subsequent party. The entire evening was accompanied by drawings by Walter Felber.

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20 Years Kunsthaus Graz

Re-Imagine the Future

September 27 - October 1, 2023

Kunsthaus Graz opened its doors 20 years ago, on September 27, 2003. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, we invite you to a packed program of exhibitions, talks, performances, installations, and music.

Until Sunday inclusive, admission to the Kunsthaus Graz is free of charge.

For more information, click HERE

You can find image material from the opening night HERE
 

Exhibition views The Other for download
 

Exhibition views Sol Lewitt’s Wall. Performed for download
 

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Kind regards

Daniela Teuschler
+43/664/8017-9214, daniela.teuschler@museum-joanneum.at

Stephanie Liebmann
+43/664/8017-9213, stephanie.liebmann@museum-joanneum.at

Eva Sappl
+43/699/1780-9002, eva.sappl@museum-joanneum.at