Vienna's Post-War Abstraction Explored in Dual Retrospectives of Jungwirth and Brus
Vienna is currently hosting two significant retrospectives that delve into post-war Austrian abstraction. At the Albertina, Marta Jungwirth's exhibition runs from March 2 to June 3, showcasing her expressive paintings, such as "Spittelauer Lände" and "Here and Now and Never Again III" (1982-83). These works emphasize mark density and real-life themes, along with reinterpretations of Frans Hals's "Female Regents of the Old Men's Almshouse" (1664). Simultaneously, Günter Brus's retrospective, "Unrest After the Storm," is on display at Belvedere 21 from February 2 to August 12, highlighting his journey from abstract art to provocative performances and graphic pieces. His 1960s actions, captured by Kurt Kren in films like "Ana" (1964), questioned societal conventions. Both artists, born in 1940 and 1938, are showcased in contrasting environments: the elegant Albertina and the contemporary Belvedere 21.
Key facts
- Marta Jungwirth retrospective at the Albertina ran from March 2 to June 3.
- Günter Brus exhibition "Unrest After the Storm" at Belvedere 21 ran from February 2 to August 12.
- Jungwirth was born in 1940, Brus in 1938.
- Brus's performances included a 1965 act of public masturbation while singing the Austrian national anthem covered in feces.
- Jungwirth's work includes the series "Spittelauer Lände" based on Vienna's topography.
- Brus's early abstract paintings from 1960-1963 were influenced by American Abstract Expressionism via Joan Merritt.
- Kurt Kren documented Brus's performances in films like "Ana" (1964) and "Wiener Spaziergang" (1965).
- Belvedere 21 is housed in a glass and steel pavilion designed by Karl Schwanzer in 1958.
Entities
Artists
- Marta Jungwirth
- Günter Brus
- Cy Twombly
- Philip Guston
- Frans Hals
- James Ensor
- Karl Schwanzer
- Kurt Kren
- Joan Merritt
Institutions
- Albertina
- Belvedere 21
- artcritical
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria