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Az W at the Semper-Depot The Chronology of a 20 Year Genesis 2010 17.02: Presentation of 'Az W goes Semper-Depot' with computer renderings and an animation on video at the annual press conference on 17.02. The computer renderings and the film were designed to show what an Austrian architecture museum at the Semper Depot could look like, and to demonstrate the importance of increasing public awareness of the proposal. 2009 Winter 2009: Computer renderings and an animation on video are produced to create awareness of the project. Spring 2009: Following initial positive discussions with the (then) current Rector of the Academy, Stephan Schmidt-Wulffen, he stated that he did not exclude the possibility of finding alternative premises and moving out of the Semper Depot. The proposal was then blocked when the Academy issued a statement in March 2009, saying that they were no longer interested in a move. Two years long, from 2007 to March 2009, this plan had been pursued and developed constructively. There had been a time where the Academy might have realised its desire for new premises. 2008 December 2008: The subject is officially addressed to the general public at the Az W annual press conference on 10.12. The media is given a presentation of the project. Autumn 2008: Founding of the Az W im Semper-Depot (Az W at the Semper Depot) committee, to raise support for this proposal. The first signatures of support arrive — there are currently over 1000 signatures. May 2008: A comprehensive internal feasibility study is carried out by the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft/BIG. The Az W is well prepared to use the Semper Depot. The necessary investment for the undertaking would have been available. 2007 Having long been a museum of Austrian architecture, there has been a key new development since January 2007. It began with discussions initiated by Klaus Albrecht Schröder on a takeover of or permanent loan to the Az W of the Albertina's modern architectural archives. An undertaking that was justified in scientific terms and in terms of the museum landscape, and that accorded with international standards for state-of-the-art research. A modern architectural collection involves entirely different materials and different methods of cataloguing, as well as involving a different approach to collecting, than a classical collection of artworks on paper or graphics does, which is why it had already been run separately from the 'old' architecture collection at the Albertina. Correctly, in academic terms, the Albertina had drawn the line for modern architecture with holdings dating from 1848, the year in which the profession of the independent architect was established. The prospect of these new holdings for the Az W Archives and Collection also requires a rethinking of the current situation and of the location. An Az W plus Albertina collection at the Museumsquartier location is not realistic under the circumstances, as current policy at the Museumsquartier does not allow for any expansion of premises on the grounds for the foreseeable future. End of the 1980s On the initiative of the then minister responsible, Dr. Erhard Busek, at the end of the 1980s, a comprehensive concept for an Austrian architecture museum at the Semper Depot was drawn up by Johannes Spalt and Otto Kapfinger. At the time the Director of the Albertina, Konrad Oberhuber, would have been prepared to transfer the modern architectural collection (from 1848) to the proposed museum of architecture. The plan folded because the University of Technology, who had control of the Semper Depot at the time, proved uncooperative. The Semper Depot has been renovated in exemplary fashion in the meantime by Carl Pruscha, and is currently being used by the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. The Objectives of the Az W So there's still a need to explain the culture-political concept behind wanting the Semper Depot, and to take a stance. The Az W in the Museumsquartier was established with a Federal grant and a grant from the City of Vienna in 1992 primarily as an institution dedicated to the mediation of contemporary architecture. The Az W even stated that the aim was to be "a new type of museum" in its initial concept. Which is why an intensive diversification of what the Az W offers began very early on. This diversification includes educational activities that went beyond the exhibitions and events, excursions, a programme for children, an online architecture database etc., but also a concentration on the architectural dimension of the cultural memory. This included the compilation of an extensive library open to the public and the purchase of the exceptional Achleitner Archiv by the City of Vienna, which has been handed on to the Az W for processing and conservation. Since 2001 the Az W has also become the primary address for the estates of and living donations from Austrian architects. Today it can truthfully be maintained that the Architekturzentrum Wien has adopted the core role in the conservation of this cultural heritage. An Architekturzentrum Wien based on its own active collecting and supplemented by the Albertina collection is inherently consistent with an Austrian architecture museum in-line with international standards. And an Austrian museum of architecture at the Semper Depot would find itself in a different, but significantly improved position today compared with that of the 1980s. The current distribution of premises belonging to the University of Technology and the Academy effectively forms an inner-city university campus stretching from Karlsplatz over the Naschmarkt, Getreidemarkt and the Academy of Fine Arts to the Ring Road. An Austrian museum of architecture at the Semper Depot in the proximity would link up with this to provide new synergies in the field of cultural and academic/scientific politics in architectural research. Even today the Az W is collaborating very productively and successfully with the Institute of Art History at the University of Technology on the cataloguing and analysis of architects' estates. The proximity of both universities' architecture faculties to the museum of architecture at the Semper Depot would enable programmes of exhibitions and events to be discussed and organised in cooperation. At the same time this unique monument of key architectural and historical significance by Gottfried Semper would be made accessible to a broader audience and tourists alike. |
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© Az W, Rendering: Virtual DynamiX, Michael Lisner |
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Press page Current events Past events Information: Ines Purtauf Tel.: +43 (1) 522 31 15 - 25 Fax: +43 (1) 522 31 17 Email: purtauf@azw.at |
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