“To the age it’s art, to art it’s freedom”
Forming part of the annual Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, Vienna: Art and Design is an all encompassing exhibit based at the turn of the 20th century Vienna (though also covering the period 10 years either side).
One particular element of the exhibition that is noticeable I the transition from the usage of bright, vibrant colours of Klimt, Hoffman and Loos, to the darker almost Gothic like textures of Oskar Kokoschka. Along the way there are influences of Darwin and Freud, intertwined with fixtures produced by the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop). All of those elements are both artistic in their own merits, as well as complimenting each other while providing an interesting insight into the turn of the century Vienna. As such, if you didn’t know their year of production, one could even say that the Wiener Werkstätte pieces were so modern that they were made in the last 20 or so years.
While there is an abundance of publicity for the exhibition (just look at the numerous billboard posters on the sides of Melbourne trams for example), these do not capture what is my favourite piece of work- that is the Beethoven Frieze by Gustav Klimt.
Thankfully preserved and saved from destruction, the NGV has an entire gallery in the exhibition holding the replica Frieze (constructed using the same methods as the original by the Belvedere Museum.) This piece is simply an awe-inspiring in its depiction of the struggle of the human soul of darkness and depravity, as influenced by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and its interpretation by Richard Wagner, as well as Ode to Joy by Schiller. In addition the Frieze embodies the greatest vision of gesamtkunstwerk (the total work of art.)
In my opinion, the entire exhibition embodies the notion of gesamtkunstwerk. You see this in the apartment fixtures that are both artistic yet practical, as well as the works that were installed in turn of the century clubs.
This is an exhibition that we are lucky to have; and words simply fail to describe how amazing it is. Indeed; while I was looking forward to it from the literature that the Gallery produced before its arrival; it wildly exceeded my expectations. I have since brought an unlimited entry pass to it and visited 6 times; and I intend on going many more times.
For those who are planning on going, I would recommend early weekday afternoons to avoid the crowd.