art in public space
Following Peter Noever’s appointment as director of the MAK (1986–2011), the Viennese institution began to redefine its exhibition and museum program. In addition to the research and scientific evaluation of the traditional collection of applied art, the MAK has made its priority to address the art, architecture and design of today. The MAK is aimed at gradually resolving the conflict between “applied” and “fine” art, facilitating exchange between artists, philosophers, architects and scientists.
These projects were realized based on Noever’s gegenwartspolitik (policy of present) and his credo according to which the present is never simply a given, but rather always to be “fought for” via intervention and presentational effort, through correction and media activisim. In this respect Noever’s “art in public space program” is the programmatic opposing concept of the longstanding “orphanage" of the arts. Uncompromising interventions were created by exceptional artists in public space in Vienna, Venice and Los Angeles. The vast majority of these interventions and sculptures are permanent and shape the urban image. They are unique signs of the importance of contemporary art.
“How Many Billboards” (2010) and Jochen Traar’s “Art Protects You” (1996) had a powerful impact on Los Angeles’ cityscape.
Brigitte Kowanz, “Fountain”
2017, Permanent installation on site at Glanzstoff, St. Pölten, Austria
Zaha Hadid, “Trompe l’œil”
2015, City palace of Prince Eugen/Belvedere, Vienna
Erwin Wurm, “Narrow House”
“glasstress”, site-specific installations by six artists curated by Peter Noever
2011, La Biennale di Venezia
Magdalena Jetelová, “Celebration”
“glasstress”, site-specific installations by six artists curated by Peter Noever
2011, La Biennale di Venezia
21 artists / Kerry Tribe (photo), “How many billboards?” (temporary)
2010, Los Angeles
Ross Lovegrove, “Solar Tree” (not realized)
2007, Vienna
Erwin Wurm, “Geste mobil”
2007, Vienna
Chris Burden, “Vienna Shining” (not realized)
2006, Vienna, (Urban Light, 2004)
Michael Kienzer, “Stylit”
2004, Vienna
Lebbeus Woods, “Project for the Vienna Festival”, (not realized)
2003, Vienna
Franz West, “Four Lemurheads” (not permanent)
2001, Vienna
James Turrell, “MAKlite”
1998, Vienna
James Turrell, “Sky Space”
1998, Vienna
Hubert Schmalix, “Der Vater weist dem Kind den Weg / The father shows the way to the child”
1998, Vienna
Martin Kippenberger, “The Last Stop West”
1998, West Hollywood, Schindler House, Los Angeles
Philip Johnson, “Wiener Trio”
1996, Vienna
Peter Noever, “Tempelfragment” (not realized)
1996, Vienna
Peter Noever, “MAK terrace plateau”
1991–1993, Vienna
James Wines / Site, “Gate to the Ring”
1992, Vienna
Donald Judd, “Stage Set”
1991/1996, Vienna
Walter Pichler, “Tor zum Garten”
1990, Vienna
photo: Gerald Zugmann/MAK
Peter Noever "Center for Understanding Media" 2019, California
(published together with certain other interventions in “fair” magazine 01/2020)
chronisch obsessiv - Design ist Denken (excerpt) 2019, Vienna
Archive MARS - MAK ART SOCIETY, Vienna 2009