Belvedere Talk: Primitivism in Art Education and Erika Giovanna Klien

At the Unteres Belvedere in Vienna, a discussion titled "Im Fokus: Kunstpädagogische Primitivismen und Erika Giovanna Klien" will take place, featuring curator Verena Gamper in conversation with art educators and researchers Nora Landkammer and Andrea Hubin. The event explores the construction of the "primitive" and coloniality in art pedagogy, using the work of Austrian artist Erika Giovanna Klien as a case study. Klien, who studied under Franz Čižek at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts, later assisted in his reform-pedagogical youth art class from autumn 1924. She recognized in children's creativity an original, "unspoiled" expressive power, which she incorporated into her own art, developing an "infantilistic" style. After moving to the United States, her style transformed into a clear, narrative visual language reflecting her engagement with Mexican muralism and indigenous art. The event requires a valid event ticket and admission ticket, and will use silent systems for the guided portion. The discussion is part of the Belvedere's program and is scheduled to occur at the Unteres Belvedere venue.