Kunsthalle Wien exhibition explores solar activity's correlation with historical revolutions through 14 artists
Kunsthalle Wien is showcasing 'Comrade Sun,' an exhibition featuring 14 artists that delves into the connections between solar cycles and political revolutions. It opens with a graph linking sunspot activity to significant historical events, such as the French Revolution, the revolutions of 1848, the Russian Revolutions (1905, 1917), the Prague Spring (1968), the fall of Communism (1989–90), and the Arab Spring (2010). This inquiry originated with Soviet scientist Alexander Chizhevsky during the 1920s and 30s. Highlights include Anton Vidokle's 2015 film, The Otolith Group's 2013 work, Gwenola Wagon's 2023 narrative, and Maha Maamoun's 2010 video, along with Sonia Leimer's 'Space Junk' sculptures and Hajra Waheed's installation. The exhibition is open until 1 September.
Key facts
- Exhibition features 14 artists exploring connections between solar activity and political history
- Includes large graph correlating sunspot cycles with revolutions since French Revolution
- Based on research by Soviet scientist Alexander Chizhevsky from 1920s-30s
- Features Anton Vidokle's 2015 film about Chizhevsky's life and imprisonment
- Includes The Otolith Group's 2013 film examining African independence during low solar activity
- Show runs through 1 September at Kunsthalle Wien
- Features video works connecting sun to Mexican resistance and Lebanese Civil War
- Includes sculptures, paintings and installations alongside video works
Entities
Artists
- Anton Vidokle
- Gwenola Wagon
- Maha Maamoun
- Sonia Leimer
- Hajra Waheed
- Wolfgang Mattheuer
- Kerstin Brätsch
- Alexander Chizhevsky
- Chris Marker
- Georges Bataille
Institutions
- Kunsthalle Wien
- The Otolith Group
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Kazakhstan
- France
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Mexico
- Lebanon