Corona Sammeln: A Crisis Year in Objects – Documenting Austria's Pandemic History at the House of Austrian History

This exhibition documents the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria through collected objects. The House of Austrian History (hdgö) presents a selection of material and digital items that illustrate the crisis and how it impacted life in Austria, offering a historical record for the future.

The exhibition 'Corona Sammeln – Ein Krisenjahr in Objekten' (Corona Collecting – A Crisis Year in Objects) serves as a historical documentation of the COVID-19 pandemic's initial impact on Austria. Beginning in late February 2020, the virus and subsequent pandemic reshaped public and private life in unprecedented ways. The House of Austrian History (hdgö) has actively collected contemporary objects to preserve the memory of this significant historical period for future generations. This online presentation showcases a curated selection of material and digital artifacts from the hdgö's collection, offering a glimpse into the crisis and Austria's response. Visitors can navigate the collection by sorting objects chronologically or by selecting specific themes relevant to the pandemic experience. The exhibition aims to tell the stories of the crisis, including those less visible, by presenting a diverse range of items. The collection includes items such as calendars, personal protective equipment, everyday supplies like toilet paper, informational materials from shops, symbolic items like police cars playing patriotic songs, and personal documents like boarding passes and diaries, all reflecting the multifaceted reality of the pandemic year in Austria.