Katharina Grosse Transforms Vienna's Albertina with Vibrant Exhibition

In the grand halls of Vienna's Albertina, an explosion of color disrupts the serene tranquility. Red, blue, and yellow hues splashed across the walls and floor command the room, immersing visitors in a world of vibrance and abstraction. This is not a random act of artistic rebellion. This is 'Why do three tones do not form a triangle', the latest exhibition by German artist Katharina Grosse, opened on October 31, 2023, and running till April 1, 2024.

Art as Body Language

Grosse's art is an enigma, a spray technique that transforms entire exhibition halls into expressive color landscapes. Her artistry has stunned audiences at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York and the Venice Biennale. At the Albertina, Grosse's works are a testament to her ability to create physically accessible images, making it almost impossible to focus, creating a spatial image that is limitless.

Albertina director Klaus Albrecht Schröder describes Grosse's exhibition as an expression of 'art as body language'. The force of the colors in her works is overpowering and cannot be ignored. The exhibition invites viewers to engage with the art on a physical and emotional level, blurring the boundaries between the artwork and the viewer.

A Walk-in Picture

The exhibition was curated by Angela Stief, the modern director of the Albertina. Stief worked closely with Grosse to create a 'walk-in picture' where the activities of producing and viewing art are intertwined. The exhibition space becomes a dynamic environment where Grosse's works come to life, and viewers are encouraged to explore and interact with the art.

Grosse sees the Pillar Hall as a 'multidimensional passe-partout' and has reinterpreted an old work in the next room and converted a huge fabric cloth from another show into a sprayed sculpture hanging from the ceiling. This limitless 'space picture', as Schroder describes it, is an immersive experience that breaks down the traditional barriers between art and audience.

Challenging the Conventional

The title of the exhibition, 'Why do three tones do not form a triangle,' came about in a conversation with author Monika Rinck, who is responsible for numerous texts in the artist's book that accompanies the show. Grosse explains that there is no need to look for a direct connection between the works and the title; the title is another stimulus, challenging conventional understanding, much like her art.

Grosse's exhibition at the Albertina is a testament to her unique artistic vision and her ability to transform spaces with her spray technique. The exhibition allows viewers to experience art in a new and immersive way, blurring the boundaries between the artwork and its surroundings. Grosse's vibrant and abstract works create a visual and emotional impact that is hard to ignore.