Clegg & Guttmann: Mach vs. Boltzmann – An Exhibition Exploring Modernist Philosophy at Vienna's Secession

This exhibition by Clegg & Guttmann reconstructs the late 19th-century debate between Ernst Mach and Ludwig Boltzmann, exploring its philosophical and political implications for modernist art. Eight interactive stations invite visitors to engage with the themes, complemented by an artist's book providing historical and intellectual context.

The exhibition 'Mach vs. Boltzmann' by Clegg & Guttmann delves into the philosophical and political discourse of the late 19th century, specifically the debate between Ernst Mach and Ludwig Boltzmann. This discussion significantly influenced the era's political thought and the emergence of modernist art. The artists reconstruct this debate within the Secession, not as a retrospective, but as an invitation for visitors to actively engage with the issues through eight stations offering exercises that reference the core problems. An accompanying artist's book provides scientific, historical, and intellectual background. This exhibition builds upon Clegg & Guttmann's previous work, which often examines the functions and functionalizations of historical, public, and institutional spaces. Their projects, whether reconstructing historical events or establishing accessible libraries, consistently engage visitors as users, prompting them to appropriate these spaces within their historical and public contexts. In the Secession, their installation can be understood as an "ideal construction" composed of spatial and temporal elements, or as a sequence of perceptual exercises inspired by early modernism, aiming to foster a cognitive-emotional reconciliation with complexity. The Secession itself was part of the broader modernist movement that emerged in opposition to the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, leading to the artistic breakaway that founded the institution. Thus, the exhibition and its location serve as a historical drama, an animated presentation of early modernist philosophy's emergence as a significant episode in Viennese history, offering a unique perspective on the building's architectural and institutional history.

Information and tickets for exhibitions at the Secession can be found through the provided ticketing link. Visitors are advised to check for specific admission details related to this exhibition and general museum entry requirements via the official channels. The Secession is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM. Further visitor information and specific ticketing details can be accessed via the provided links.