Opening of the exhibitions “The Fuhrer’s Capital of Culture” and “Political Sculpture”
Copyright: Ernst Grilnberger, Oberösterreichische Landesmuseen
On 16 September all eyes were on the opening of the exhibition “The Fuhrer’s Capital of Culture” at the Schlossmuseum Linz, which throws light on the role that Linz, dubbed the “Führerstadt”, played in the cultural politics of the Nazis.
The exhibition has two focal points of interest. One is an exploration of the historical setting during the era of National Socialism, which is designed to show what it meant for Linz to be chosen as the place where Hitler’s designs in terms of cultural politics and architecture were to be realized. The scale of the grand architectural projects for Linz was gigantic. Only the Nibelungen Bridge and the bridgehead buildings were actually constructed. None of the other projects, including the “Führermuseum”, which was at the centre of the “Special Commission Linz”, ever got beyond the planning stage. The second focus in this exhibition, which is curated by Birgit Kirchmayr, is Upper Austria’s artistic output at the time, illustrated by a wealth of examples drawn from all areas of art, music and literature.Another exhibition, “Political Sculpture” at Landesgalerie Linz, casts a glance at the general framework within which artists had to work in the National Socialist era. The four sculptors Ernst Barlach (1870 – 1938), Ludwig Kasper (1893 – 1945), Josef Thorak (1889 – 1952) and Fritz Wotruba (1907 – 1975) each met with a widely different public reception before, during and after that era. A selection of their works and film material document the period in which these artists were active.
„The Fuhrer’s Capital of Culture“
Schlossmuseum Linz, Tummelplatz 10, 4010 Linz
17 September 2008 – 22 March 2009
Tues to Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Mon and on 1 November, 24/25/31 December
On 1 January 2009 open from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Political Sculpture
Landesgalerie Linz, Museumstraße 14, 4010 Linz
18 September 2008 – 16 November 2008
Tues – Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat and Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Mon
