Octopus discovered in pond nearby Vienna Cathedral.
Art Installation Ties Strauss' Music to Contemporary Ideas: The Floating Octopus at Vienna's Karlskirche
A unique art project named after Johann Strauss, Vienna's "Waltz King," is taking place at the Karlskirche, featuring a life-sized octopus sculpture floating in the Reflecting Pool. This installation, part of the Johann Strauss Year celebration, symbolically connects Strauss' musical legacy with contemporary artistic and philosophical ideas about connection and complexity.
The octopus sculpture, an art project by God's Entertainment, represents a symbol of non-hierarchical intelligence according to Donna Haraway, whose work "Tentacular Thinking" inspired the project. By visually and thematically tying Strauss' famous waltzes to contemporary ideas, the installation offers a fresh interpretation of the composer's music.
The project will run until September 13, featuring daily immersive sound installations from Sunday to Thursday, as well as thematic evenings and evening performances. On Fridays and Saturdays, the water at the project site will serve as a concert stage.
Notable events include a discussion between writer Nava Ebrahimi and philosopher Fahim Amir on August 21, focusing on "questions of speculative sensibility and coexistence." On August 27, the octopus sculpture will transform into a "Restaurant of Super Tongues" with multimedia artist Leone Contini.
God's Entertainment invites the audience to collaborate in developing "tentacles" for exploring the environment at the Ressel Park fountain. Admission to the project is free, but some events require numbered tickets. It's important to note that the project does not offer any advertisements for bars in Vienna.
The project will be opened on Friday evening with five commissioned works by God's Entertainment and the Black Page Orchestra. Eva Reiter, Matthias Kranebitter, and Super Nase & Co will perform on the first evening of the project at the Ressel Park fountain.
Visitors can enjoy performances, installations, and music in an animalistic setting, all while exploring the themes of humanity's turn towards nature and understanding that everything is connected. This creative tribute during the anniversary year honoring Strauss in Vienna promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.
- The Floating Octopus, a reflective symbol of non-hierarchical intelligence and contemporary ideas, is an art project within the Johann Strauss Year celebration at Vienna's Karlskirche, connecting Strauss' famous music to the science and philosophy of today.
- In the animalistic setting of the art installation, daily immersive sound installations, thematic evenings, and evening performances from various artists enhances the exploration of the science and lifestyle connections, offering a unique entertainment experience for visitors interested in the music of Johann Strauss.
