The Impossibility of Being

The Impossibility of Being
Opening: March 16, 2016, 7 pm
Exhibition: March 17 to April 30, 2016

Diana Artus, Julius von Bismarck, Anina Brisolla, Sophia Domagala, Brad Downey, Andreas Greiner & Armin Keplinger, Sven Johne, Tillman Kaiser, Caroline Kryzecki, Janina Lange und Via Lewandowsky

Curated by the current - Hannah Beck-Mannagetta & Lena Fließbach

In the face of the current political situation and the ever more obvious consequences of environmental changes, an anthropocentric worldview can be put into question. In its transience and apparent imperfection, the supposed supremacy of mankind manifests as a fatal delusion. In various – often tragicomic – ways the artists of the exhibition deal with the futility of human action, the failure of perfection, and the demarcation and permanent pursuit of optimisation. Here, the fragility of the relationship between nature and culture, the limitations of material and technological progress, and an ineffective interpersonal communication as an individual as well as a socio-political phenomenon become visible in their works. In the end, however, it also becomes apparent that accidents, mistakes, and failure are a necessity in order to be creative in the first place.

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMME

An interactive, interdisciplinary programme with experts from cultural and natural sciences accompanies the exhibition in the form of dialogical tours under the title Walk the Talk. In a moderated discussion two scientists from different fields exchange ideas on selected works and themes with the audience.

Additionally, the essay films This Unwieldy Object by Anna Zett and Tomorrow’s Program by Elisophie Eulenburg will be screened and discussed in an artist talk.

Friday, March 18, 2016, 6:30 pm
Filmscreening and artists talk
Truths and Desires of Lost Souls on the Edge of our Civilisation
Anna Zett This Unwieldy Object & Elisophie Eulenburg Tomorrow’s Program (Premiere)
Dr. Helge Torgersen (Institute of Technology Assessment, Vienna)
Lotte Schreiber (Filmmaker)

Saturday, March 19, 2016, 12:00 pm
Walk the Talk #1
Grotesque in Politics, Religion, and Love: Temptation, Narcissism, and Failure
Dr. Lisz Hirn (Philosopher, Hanover Institute of Philosophical Research)
Gerd Valchars (Political scientist, University of Vienna)

April 26, 2016, 6:30 pm
Walk the Talk #2
Nature vs. Culture: Sisyphus, Loss of Control, and Utopias in the Anthroprocene
Dr. Alexander Damianisch (Head Support Art and Research, University of Applied Arts Vienna)
Prof. Dr. Reingard Grabherr (Virologist, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)

April 27, 2016, 6:30 pm
Walk the Talk #3
Perfection vs. Creation: To Dash Beautifully against Material and Technical Progress
eSeL (Founder eSeL.at, art historian)
Robert Trappl (Psychologist, cyberneticist)

Saturday, April 30, 2016, 12:00 pm
Walk the Talk for Children & Youth
The Imperfect Human: The Importance of Borders and the Value of the Neighbour, the Next, the Other
Dr. Daniela Camhy (Philosopher, Founder Austrian Center of Philosophy with Children)
Belinda Kazeem (Cultural theorist, author, artist)