The Artothek of the Republic of Austria, containing of about 37.000 works of Austrian artists (collected via annually selections by a jury) has chosen around 16 pieces to travel to the European Parliament in Brussels and to be shown in a 6-months exhibition during the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
I took the chance to see the selected works and went on a guided tour (only possible way). It was my first time in the European Parliament - and art is the best occasion to do so. On the way to the temporary exhibition Artspace Austria we saw several works from the collection of the European Union, from Peter Doig for instance. Some nice pieces. Most of them on a “functional” display which doesn’t “disturb” daily business in the building where European politics are/could be made.
So the Artspace Austria - on the walls of a busy corridor where most of the people have to pass - so it’s really seen - in a non-art environment. There where some a few good works by Austrian artists as Eva Schlegel or Ona B. for instance. But the selection of the work was all in all weak, kind of arbitrary and not at all a strong statement of contemporary Art originated in Austria. Yet, what does this corridor and walls even allow? …
And of course, unfortunately we are not allowed to share any pics with you.
I’ve to confess, my personnel highlight of the visit was seeing Guy Verhofstadt passing us :)
For the whole blog of the brusselsARTproject click here.