ART CITIES:20th Anniversary of Kunsthaus Bregenz

Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB) is an internationally active institute for the presentation of contemporary art. Thanks to its ambitious exhibition program and its unique architecture, the Kunsthaus is also internationally renowned amongst of art and architecture lovers. It was designed by the Swiss Architect Peter Zumthor and was constructed between 1990 and 1997.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Kunsthaus Bregenz Archive

Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB), which is 20 years old this summer, is able to look back upon a story of success. The list of artists who have exhibited at KUB reads like a “Who’s Who” of contemporary art, many of the exhibitions having undoubtedly become part of recent art history. Amongst the best ones are perhaps those which explored the structural limits of the building. Santiago Sierra loaded KUB with 300 tons of concrete bricks, whilst Pierre Huyghe had a black ice rink built, Louise Bourgeois installed a monumental bronze spider, and Olafur Eliasson released a sea of fog into the building. Adrián Villar Rojas’ exhibition “The Theater of Disappearance” is an exemplary addition to the series. He himself thinks of his invitation to exhibit at Kunsthaus Bregenz, similarly to those he has received for the Venice Biennale and documenta in Kassel. The ground floor provides Adrián Villar Rojas’ exhibition with a completely empty stage. Even the ticket counter has been removed. Colored light streams through the windows. A reproduction of the painting “Madonna del Parto” (1450-75) by Piero della Francesca extends across the floor, depicting a pregnant Madonna. The first floor is darkened, flora hanging from its ceiling, the floor space paved in brown marble, the fossils within it meticulously exposed. Is this an ancient place of worship, at the origins of man, or the vaults of his tragic existence? The second floor is likewise darkened, a copy of Picasso’s “Guernica” (1937) located in the middle. Villar Rojas adds a bar of fire, flickering along its lower edge. An image of a bearded hunter is displayed adjacent to one of two dinosaurs. An iron basket hangs from the ceiling. Humans exist in the world and, with them, carnage and violence.The atmosphere changes on the predominantly white upper floor. The legs of Michelangelo’s “David” (1501-04) are enthroned on a ramp. Humanity has arrived in Olympus, abandoning Earth, a cyber spider is the last remaining witness to humanity’s disappearance.Throughout the weekend of July 15-16, 2017, free admission to KUB and free short guided tours every 2 hours, enable you to experience Adrián Villar Rojas’ exhibition “The Theater of Disappearance”. Guests also have the opportunity of enjoying the catering, prize competition, music, dance, and other spectacular attractions on offer outside KUB on Karl-Tizian-Platz.

Info: Kunsthaus Bregenz, Karl-Tizian-Platz, Postfach 45, Bregenz, Duration 15-16/7/17, Hours: 10:00-20:00, www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at