Erwin Wurm on Performative Sculptures and Democracy at 2017 Biennale

Austrian artist Erwin Wurm (b. 1954, Bruck an der Mur) presents his series Performative Sculptures at the 21er Haus in Vienna, with 54 works mostly created for the show. Co-curator Alfred Weidinger compares Wurm's radicalism to Marcel Duchamp. The exhibition runs until September 10, 2017. Wurm also occupies the Austrian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale alongside Brigitte Kowanz until November 26, 2017, marking 20 years since he began his One Minute Sculptures. He describes the Narrow House work as reflecting how people express themselves through their living spaces. Wurm discusses democracy as a fragile system and Europe as a political construction worth protecting. Other concurrent shows include Carl Spitzweg – Erwin Wurm. Hilarious! Hilarious? at the Leopold Museum in Vienna (until June 19, 2017) and Fußballgroßer Tonklumpen auf hellblauem Autodach at Kunsthaus Graz (until August 20, 2017). The Fat House, acquired by the Belvedere collection in 2016, is positioned opposite Belvedere Castle for the 21er Haus show.