Den Boden der Stadt kartieren: Unveiling Urban Space and Property in Vienna

This exhibition by students from the Institute of Art and Architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna presents a multimedia map exploring the Spittelau/Althangrund area. It delves into property ownership, urban space stratification, and combines land register data with poetic urban imagery.

The 'Den Boden der Stadt kartieren' (Mapping the City's Ground) project, presented by students from the Institute of Art and Architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, examines the Spittelau/Althangrund area. Research into property ownership in this region has revealed complex results, particularly concerning the urban land gained when railway tracks were built over. This area now forms a unique structure with horizontal stratification in spatial, legal, and accessibility terms. Following restrictions on on-site surveying in early 2020, the area became increasingly imaginary. The project overlays dry land register maps with poetic urban images from Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities," digitally reconstructing, imagining, distorting, and re-narrating the dislocated place. Memories collide with internet images, and historical maps elicit fictional narratives, resulting in a multi-layered portrait of an inaccessible and enigmatic terrain. The exhibition details include a free admission opening day on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021, from 10:00 to 19:00, adhering to current Corona protection measures. A digital opening was also held on the same day at 19:00. The welcome addresses were given by Angelika Fitz, Director of Az W, and Johan F. Hartle, Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. The introduction was provided by curators Katharina Ritter & Karoline Mayer, and lectures were given by Antje Lehn and Lisa Schmidt-Colinet, as well as students from the Institute of Art and Architecture.

Admission was free on the opening day, Wednesday, February 10th, 2021, from 10:00 to 19:00. Visitors were asked to note current Corona protection measures. Further details on accessing the digital opening and lectures are provided.