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a_show stage 1 Austrian Architecture in the 20th and 21st Centuries Press Conference: wendesday, 03 March 2004, 11am Opening of phase 1: 03 March 2004, 7pm Exhibition:from 04 March THE EXHIBITION The exhibition a_show provides a long-due ramble through historical and contemporary Austrian architecture and with it a survey of the most essential factors in establishing a cultural identity. With a long-term but nevertheless dynamic goal, the Architekturzentrum Wien is fulfilling its own agenda as an Austrian institution for the mediation of architecture, while establishing for itself a suitable show window as a "centre for architecture knowledge". Due to the expansive nature of the contents a_show is subdivided into three approaches and being opened in 3 stages. The structure of the exhibition, which does not aim to provide a totally comprehensive survey of everything built in Austria, is based on the chronology of events within particular phases of the development of architecture, making the aspects of continuity and the emergence of new directions clear. At the same time it is possible to acquire a deeper insight into specific projects. The selected projects are not being presented as untouchable icons, the changes they underwent in function, their reinterpretation and aging or destruction are also shown with extensive documentation. Here too, this is geared to show the links and make a sense of continuity to current developments visible. But also to heighten the visitor's awareness of particular issues that were already pressing in the early years of Modernism but that still effect our lives. The exhibition employs the full stock of media available for the presentation of architecture: plans, sketches, text, photographs, models and films bring the 20th century back to life and lead into the present. THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXHIBITION - 10 themes concentrate the view on the most relevant phenomena and currents. Each of the themes has its own film trailer showing material from very different sources, to provide an optimum representation of the direct effect of the architecture. The complete film will be on show from March 2004. - From March 4, 2004, the first of the themes, the PROLOGUE, addresses building activity in Vienna from 1850-1918, providing an ideal basis for ensuing developments. The subsequent themes will be outlined in the first opening but are to be explored in more detail at a later date. - Running parallel to the thematic divisions a 'chronological rack' is to contain historically relevant information on contemporaneous historical cultural and architectural events from 1850 to the present day. - As specific to the development of architecture in Austria and as a theme effecting the everyday lives of the visitors, a special focus is given to the subject of 'Housing' in the chronology. PHASE 1: PROLOGUE In phase one of a_show, opening on March 3, the focus is on building in Vienna between 1850 and 1918, which includes the Ringstrasse Architecture, Historicism and the protagonists of early-modernism. The arena of architectural innovation and vitality here is the metropolis of Vienna and its dynamic expansion during the urban growth years from 1850-1890, one example of numerous other centres in the monarchy. Combining contemporary city life with the structures of a historically grown urban conglomeration becomes the central topic of architecture debate. As Karl Kraus points out to the ubiquitous Old Vienna notalgics: "Old Vienna was once new." Prestigious urban-looking 'city elements', such as public transport lines, banks, exhibition centres, churches, blocks of shops and apartments, coffee houses and hospitals were built by the most exceptional architects within the stimulating cultural climate of the time in the Danube metropolis. These were the pioneers of Vienna Modernism, breaking away from what they saw as the obsolete formal repertoire of historicism. THE EXHIBITION DESIGN Walking-Chair Design Studio have developed a dynamic and flexible system of presentation specially for the show a_show. It is based on a simple h-module of bent steel sheeting capable of reacting to the most varied of display requirements (from filmic presentations to models, plans or photographs etc.). The aim was to generate a workshop atmosphere to avoid making a canon of the chronological interpretation of a_show while highlighting it. A lively and varied programme of additional events is to accompany a_show: film evenings and lectures on Austrian architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries / a_show + guided tours of the exhibition and to examples around the city / workshops for children, young people and school groups. 07-14.09.2004: Closed. The exhibition is being extended, phase 2 will open on Sept. 15. Opening of phase 2 (1918-1958): 15.09.2004 02 RED VIENNA I 03 LANDSCAPE I 04 POWER I 05 POSTWAR FAST-LANE HOUSING I 06 INTERNATIONAL Opening of phase 3 (1958-the present day): Fall 2005 07 SYSTEM I 08 UTOPIA I 09 COLLAGE I 10 THE PRESENT Curators: Gabriele Kaiser, Monika Platzer (project management) Film Curator: Helmut Weihsmann Research Assistants: Sonja Pisarik, Ute Waditschatka |
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Press page Current events Past events Gallery: Press images "a_show" Dates: a_show Stage 1 Downloads: Press Release Information: Ines Purtauf Tel.: +43 (1) 522 31 15 - 25 Fax: +43 (1) 522 31 17 Email: purtauf@azw.at |
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