AUSTRO POP

About

The Visual Arts Platform at the Austrian Cultural Forum presents the third of its UK and Austrian collaborations this autumn with Aldo Giannotti (Vienna) and Tomaz Kramberger (London). For the first time the program will leave the premises of the Austrian Cultural Forum London in Knightsbridge and venture into new territory: the streets of London.

Kramberger and Giannotti, who have previously collaborated on a project in Austria, now bring their challenging and questioning art practices to this new project in London. Using the performative form of busking, the artists will inhabit the capital for one week, singing well known Austrian pop songs at a variety of locations. This accessible and immediate form of musical expression, recognised by almost everyone, allows the artists to subvert the idea of a traditional exhibition, and equally challenge the institution of the Austrian Cultural Forum. Understanding that a large part of representing Austria?s culture abroad is based on its famous musical heritage of world renowned composers, Kramberger and Giannotti twist this with their presentation of Austrian pop music. All of the songs played by the artists may alienate the UK public, through German lyrics and unfamiliar melodies, recognised only by Austrians, nevertheless the accessibility of pop music never seemed to accept any boundaries.

The artists: In his performative projects Aldo Giannotti explores the economics of art outside common institutional boundaries and creates new artistic alternatives. Questions around the notions of family structures, socio-political conflicts, religion and relations of power are often the core of his research and practice. www.aldogiannotti.com

Tomaz Kramberger?s practice refers to the antagonistic notions of desire and control which he uncovers, constructs and exposes in objects, sculptures and site-specific installations. His practice is motivated by a sceptical approach to mass produced products and their promise to satisfy our needs. www.tomaz-kramberger.com

In collaboration with Roberto Beani

The Visual Arts Platform at the ACF: Curated by Eva Martischnig and Adriana Marques, this programme presents emerging artists through exhibitions, artist?s talks and symposia. The Visual Arts Platform began in 2006 and continues into its sixth year with a new program of collaborations between Austrian and UK based artists.