"Steiermark Exhibition" 2025: Mobile Pavilions Set Up at Vienna's Heldenplatz

Not one, but for the first time three mobile pavilions are set up at Vienna's Heldenplatz as part of the biennial "Steiermark Schau", which this year revolves around Schloss Eggenberg under the title "Ambition & Illusion". Amidst the debate on Styrian cultural policy, Culture Councillor Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP) also traveled to Vienna on Wednesday and assured that he wants to maintain the "cultural tradition of diversity and avant-garde" in Styria.

Kornhäusl in Vienna: Willingness to Fund, but with Caution

The Styrian cultural scene is unsettled by the new blue-black state coalition and warns of a reallocation of financial resources towards folk culture. Additionally, Folk Culture Representative and Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) and Kornhäusl decided at the end of February on a comprehensive reappointment of the Cultural Advisory Board, which serves as the central advisory body of the state government on cultural matters and deals with around 1,000 cultural funding applications annually.

When asked why the reappointment of the board, which was actually appointed until 2026, is taking place, Kornhäusl stated that while they want to support, the board must take financial circumstances into account. "Unfortunately, this has not always worked optimally in the past," he said, referring to "ultimately taxpayers' money" that is being allocated. Various expert advisory boards have remained "completely untouched" in contrast to the Cultural Advisory Board, he noted. These would contribute their expertise to funding decisions.

Culture Councillor: "Never Allow Politics to Have Interpretive Sovereignty Over Culture"

In the coming weeks, several discussion rounds with artists from various fields are planned. "No one needs to be afraid of me," he assured, emphasizing that he does not want to subject anyone to arbitrariness. One must "never allow politics to have interpretive sovereignty over culture." Both must coexist and also enter into symbioses, Kornhäusl said.

State of Styria, Joanneum, and Sponsors Manage the Most Cost-Effective "Steiermark Schau" So Far

There is a commitment to the "Steiermark Schau" in the government agreement. However, it is not yet clear in what form it should take place in the future, said the ÖVP politician. The 3rd edition, now starting with the "Prologue" in Vienna, is the most cost-effective so far with a budget of 7.3 to 7.4 million euros. 6 million of this is covered by the state. The rest is contributed by the Universalmuseum Joanneum (UMJ), which implements the show on behalf of the state of Styria, and sponsors. The entire pavilion concept, including transport, assembly, and disassembly, amounts to 2.4 million euros, explained Josef Schrammel, commercial director of UMJ.

Marko Mele, scientific director of UMJ, described the 400th anniversary of Schloss Eggenberg as a "perfect opportunity" for an exhibition during the presentation of the pavilions. The pavilions, which can be visited free of charge at Vienna's Heldenplatz until the end of March before moving to the Schlosspark Eggenberg, Mariazell, Leoben, and the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, address the major themes of the "Steiermark Schau" starting at the end of April in Eggenberg.

Conflicts Then and Now as Themes of the Pavilions at Vienna's Heldenplatz

Looking back at the time of the Baroque, the question is raised whether historical crisis cycles are repeating in the present. The turbulent history of the creation of Eggenberg Palace is addressed, drawing parallels to current global challenges such as military conflicts, economic misdevelopments, working poverty, or even climate change.

The architecture of the pavilions, composed of wood and tarpaulins, is intended to interpret the model of Eggenberg Palace. In total, the three pavilions designed by the architecture group studioWG3 occupy 470 square meters at Heldenplatz.

"These spaces have a lot of predetermined characteristics, they are not museum spaces," explained curator Günther Holler-Schuster. The approximately 20 artists have embraced this. More than 50 percent of the works to be seen and heard were created specifically for the pavilions.

Multimedia Experience in the "Music Pavilion" in Vienna with Sculptures by Erwin Wurm

In a "Music Pavilion," which is meant to evoke the aesthetics of a garden pavilion, Baroque theatricality is taken up. Inside, there are (large) sculptures by Erwin Wurm, forming an imaginary, wavering court society. A digital painting by Hubert Schmalix extends over the curtain walls of the "Music Pavilion," and a composition by Klaus Lang, inspired by the music composed at the Eggenberg court, can be heard.

The fact that the valuable Wurm sculptures, given the likely easily surmountable enclosure of the pavilion, could also attract thieves is taken relatively calmly. Of course, it is a "certain risk," said Holler-Schuster. "You can see danger everywhere and ultimately do nothing," but they have decided on this path in consultation. Additionally, the Wurm sculptures are "very heavy" and there is security.

From Baroque to Video Games: Diverse Exhibition in the Pavilions of the "Steiermark Schau 2025"

In the "Steiermark Pavilion," a stylized mountain range is meant to symbolize the topography of the federal state. Herbert Brandl designed this mountain range in the tradition of panoramic painting. The "Alpen-Adria Pavilion" is divided into three parts, alluding to the (past) divisions and border delineations in the region. In it, Franz Kapfer explores the historical significance of the Styrian Panther, and Total Refusal relates the Baroque garden as a symbol of tamed nature to the aesthetics of modern video games.

The pavilions at Vienna's Heldenplatz are open from March 13 until the end of the month and can be visited daily from 10 AM to 6 PM free of charge.

(APA/Red)

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