The Austrian Phenomenon

The projects completed by circles of architects in Vienna and Graz between 1958-1973 have achieved mythical status as well as international recognition as part of the neo-avant-garde in the history of architecture since 1945. In the exhibition the work of individuals behind the Austrian phenomenon is to be documented in extensive chronologies of their work with biographical information these include: Raimund Abraham, Domenig/Huth, Coop Himmelblau, Bernhard Hafner, Hans Hollein, Missing Link and Zünd up, and many more). Combined with topical events of the time the international and local contexts are provided to form an incomplete whole signalising that the Austrian Phenomenon is to be seen “mass of unregulated singularities”. This collection of fragments, consisting of around 50 authors or authors’ collectives in juxtaposition to one another, is supplemented by individual prominent and striking pieces of work. These are being presented in their original form to show the breadth of scope of the working methods applied, from sketches to Happenings.

Opening address

Hannes Pflaum, President of the Az W Board
Dietmar Steiner, Director Az W
Johannes Porsch, Curator
Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, Executive Councillor for Culture and Education

Concept: Johannes Porsch, Katharina Ritter. Assistant: Viola Stifter
Exhibition design: Nicole Six & Paul Petritsch with Annja Krautgasser

Sponsors:
Geschäftsgruppe Stadtentwicklung und Verkehr
Bundeskanzleramt Sektion Kunst
Wien Kultur
Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur
UNIQA Versicherungen AG
Zumtobel Staff Österreich Vertriebs-GmbH

A couple of views of the exhibition The Austrian Phenomenon. Conceptions Experiments. Vienna Graz 1958-1973 in the Alte Halle of the Az W, designed by Nicole Six & Paul Petritsch with Annja Krautgasser.
All the surfaces in the Alte Halle are covered by large numbers of white posters. This paper skin forms the framework for the presentation of The Austrian Phenomenon.

The walls form the pictorial atlas, consisting of excerpts from the biographical synopses of all the authors’ work (in the form of images and short passages of text). Showcases in the space house original exponents: models, drawings and texts. Video terminals show original footage of the concepts and experiments. The complete pictorial atlas is on display and can be read in several bound volumes.

Re. further reading: Passages of text accompanying the exponents in the showcases are also on display in blocks – tear-off your own copies to take home and peruse in more depth.

The Az W's Old Hall's new skin
© Pez Hejduk

The exhibition
© Pez Hejduk

Atlas of images
© Pez Hejduk

Concepts Experiments.
© Pez Hejduk