ALPINE DESIRE

Artists: Herbert BOECKL, Herbert BRANDL, Adam CVIJANOVIC, Thomas ENDER, GELITIN, Anthony GORMLEY, Ellen HARVEY, Michael HOEPFNER, Richard JOCHUM, Koloman MOSER, Christian Philipp MÜLLER, Laura MCPHEE, Walter NIEDERMAYR, Lois RENNER, Ed RUSCHA, Gregor SAILER, Michaela SCHWENTNER, Hans SCHABUS, Margherita SPILUTTINI, James Everett STUART, Ferdinand Georg WALDMÜLLER

The Austrian Cultural Forum New York and the Belvedere Vienna present the new exhibition Alpine Desire. Featuring works by 21 artists spanning the 19th – 21st centuries, the exhibition has been conceived of as a dialogue between artists over the course of decades, rather than as a chronological lineup of works. Alpine Desire will be on view from January 27 – May 8, 2011 at the Austrian Cultural Forum New York.

The exhibition examines the various desires associated with and the abysses hiding behind the cultural-historical subject of the Alps and the “alpine”. It juxtaposes art-historical icons of 19th century Romanticism and early 20th century paintings with contemporary art from Austria and the United States. The mountains are traditionally considered places with mythical powers superior to humanity. Historically, representation has focused on their sublime and pristine nature. However, beginning with industrialization in the 19th century, artists also depicted the uses and abuses man inflicted on nature. While early 20th century artists still celebrate and represent the majesty of mountains – albeit with an expressionist and transformational visual language – contemporary artists expanded their interests to social and political issues. Still inspired by nature itself, they also look at the manifold, sometimes problematic realities behind the visual. Many question both the historical but also the contemporary mechanisms of representation. Sometimes beauty and horror can exist side by side, and the sublime can conceal nightmares.

The opening reception will take place on Wednesday, January 26, from 6 to 8pm, at the ACFNY, 11 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. Admission is free.

The opening will be preceded by an artist talk from 5pm to 6pm (reservations required)