POSITIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART FROM AUSTRIA
The selection of paintings and artefacts from various Austrian private collections, which are being exhibited in Skopje for the first time, includes some exemplary and remarkable pieces and reflects developments since 1945. The collector Thomas Eichler found a unique approach to art that arose from his spontaneous desire to learn more about contemporary art. He is a talented communicator who wants to share his interest with as many people as possible. Some of the paintings on display come from the contemporary art collection of Klosterneuburg Abbey. I would therefore like to express my special thanks to the curator of the Klosterneuburg Abbey art collection, Mr Wolfgang Christian Huber, for lending the paintings for our exhibition. Many of the works on display are also the result of the collecting passion of Prelate Monsignor Alfred Sammer, who runs the monastery. A significant contribution comes from the collection of Manfred Meier, who has also provided us with some recent sculptural works. Art can be many things, including an expression, a mirror of social sensitivities, change and also an indicator, often of the judgements and "viewing habits" of the time. As curator of the exhibition, I have carefully selected representative pieces: On the one hand, there are contemporary Austrian classics such as Adolf Frohner, Josef Mikl, Oswald Oberhuber, Hans Staudacher and Max Weiler. As they come from different groups and backgrounds, they have different artistic approaches. The middle-aged and younger artists, including Eva Kaiser, Josef Bramer, Gerhard Gutruf, Regina Hadraba, Hannes Mlenek, Preinsberger, Rosa Roedelius, Hannes Scheucher, Erwin Wurm, Linde Waber and Herwig Zens, are also characterised by an exciting variety of artistic styles. The search for reality and artistic expression can lead down different paths. Whether an idea, an experience, a concrete image or a work triggers the creative process does not have to be decisive in the end. What is decisive is the individual interpretation of reality and how it is perceived. The aim of this exhibition is certainly not to be all-encompassing, as it naturally excludes important artists from the period after 1945. Rather, it is intended to emphasise certain aspects. One criterion for my selection is always the personal and emotional connection to the artworks. Understanding art is ultimately not a rational act, but rather an intuitive one.....
Wolfgang J. Bandion
