This text by Bart Lootsma was originally published in the accompanying catalog of the exhibition. You can find the full catalog here.
The performances of the Actionists increasingly sparked scandals attracting attention of both police and media. This culminated in 1968 in the happening Kunst und Revolution, arranged by the artist Peter Weibel as part of student protests and taking place in a prominent lecture hall of Vienna University.
Ernst Schmidt jr., Kunst und Revolution, Universität Wien, June 7, 1968 (still). Courtesy sixpackfilm, Vienna.
The Actionists Günter Brus, Otto Mühl, Peter Weibel, Oswald Wiener and Malte Olschewski broke many taboos: they performed naked, pooped and masturbated extensively; the resulting goods were then smeared all over the room and the participants. One injured himself, another was whipped, and largely unintelligible lectures were held. All this happened on top of the Austrian flag, while the national anthem was being played.
The Kunst und Revolution happening resulted in serious consequences for the world of Austrian art and architecture. Günther Brus and Otto Mühl were sentenced to prison terms and Oswald Wiener was held in custody for three months. Brus and Wiener were eventually forced to emigrate. Günther Feuerstein, the influential teacher of the young generation of architects who had invited Mühl for a lecture shortly before the event, was fired by the University of Technology.
Ernst Schmidt jr., Kunst und Revolution, Universität Wien, June 7, 1968 (still). Courtesy sixpackfilm, Vienna.
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