WochenKlausur

Germany/Chicago/Sweden/Austria

On invitation from art institutions, the artist group WochenKlausur develops concrete proposals aimed at small, but nevertheless effective improvements to socio-political deficiencies. Proceeding even further, and invariably translating these proposals into action, artistic creativity is no longer seen as a formal act but as an intervention into society. It all started in 1992 when Wolfgang Zinggl invited eight artists to solve a localised problem during an exhibition at the Secession exhibition hall for contemporary art in Vienna. Within the normal time span of an exhibition, this group of artists developed and realised a small but concrete measure to improve conditions for homeless people. This first project succeeded in making medical care available to the homeless. Since then, a mobile clinic has treated 700 homeless people per month, free of charge. An invitation from the Zurich Shedhalle followed, where WochenKlausur developed a pension for drug-addicted women. Invitations followed from numerous international art institutions.

The group’s projects are collective efforts that take place in the concentrated atmosphere of a closed-session working situation. A strictly limited time frame – up to twelve weeks – gives rise to an unusual concentration of the participants’ energies, allowing the planned interventions to be realised very quickly. Through its work, WochenKlausur would like to show that certain human living conditions do not necessarily have to be the way they are.

Upon invitation of ev+a 2006 and in co-operation with Daghdha Dance Company, WochenKlausur organised a year-long cinema programme called the Belltable Open. Belltable Open is held monthly at the Belltable Arts Centre, where migrants and other minority groups in Limerick get the opportunity to present their culture by showing a movie based on and around their home country and way of live. Additional supporting programs are organised by these communities.

(Text: give(a)way catalogue, 2006)