Final exhibition of the Bank Austria Studios

out of sight, seen is situated in the field of tension between security and visualization, inclosure and exclusion. The historical function of the exhibition space as a safe where valuables were stored and secured serves as a starting point for the exhibition. In response to this, the artists of the Bank Austria Studios at the end of the funding program, deal with questions of storage in relation to art production and exhibiting itself.

In 1921, today's Bank Austria Kunstforum was inaugurated as another building of the Österreichische Credit-Anstalt. As was customary for bank architecture of the time, a safe deposit box system equipped with all security standards was built in the basement.The vault was protected by burglar-proof materials and a nested security architecture. This also included a surrounding inspection corridor, the corners of which were covered with mirrors. This optical trick allowed the security staff to see around the corner and spot would-be safecrackers. The initially invisible became visible to them.

After numerous rededications, the Tresor became an exhibition space in the 2000s. New parameters of visibility and security now apply: as a presentation space for art, the room serves as a short-term storage and security site. Inherent in these processes of storage are loss, disregard and denial. At the same time, works of art are presented (semi-)publicly and made accessible and tangible for a broader audience.

The exhibition brings together nine artists and a curatorial collective whose practice was supported by Bank Austria for two years. The promotion of art and culture is a central concern of Bank Austria, as the support of young art is seen as a sustainable investment in the future of our society. This is where the Bank Austria Studios come in, as they offer young artists a comprehensive program for the first steps in their careers: In addition to rent-free use of the studios, the participants were supported with a training programme and workshops.

Exhibited artists:
S()fia Braga
Karolin Braegger
Sarah Fripon
Jojo Gronostay
Camille Holowka
Katharina Hölzl
Bianca Phos
Sarah Rinderer
Julia Zastava

The exhibition is curated by Contemporary Matters and Bettina M. Busse.

Opening: Tuesday May 14, 2024 7 pm
Catalogue presentation: Wednesday June 19, 2024 6:30 pm
Duration: May 15, 2024 to June 30, 2024

Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien
TRESOR
Freyung 8
1010 Wien