Modern Art Nietsch, Herrmann - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2007

"My work should be a school of life, of perception and of sensation." This basic attitude characterizes the artistic work of Hermann Nitsch, which will be honored with the artist's largest public retrospective on 23 May 2007 in the new Hermann Nitsch Museum. At the same time as the museum, the first completed construction phase will be opened in the new Mistelbach Museum Center, which will be built on the site of the former plow factory Heger. In addition to the presentation of Nitsch's works, the entire work is scientifically researched and documented. It shows interdisciplinary overlaps and influences that emanate from the complex creation, the orgies-mystery-theater. To visualize the artistic diversity, both entire works as well as temporally as well as content-related works are presented. Ideally suited for this purpose: The rooms of the former industrial site, which have been completely redeveloped under the artistic direction of Wolfgang Denk and the Viennese architects "archipel". The preservation of the original atmosphere and a modern lighting concept were the focus of the design considerations. Hermann Nitsch developed in 1957 the idea of ​​the Orgies Mystery Theater. In doing so, he realized his idea of ​​the Gesamtkunstwerk, which, with the inclusion of painting, architecture and music on the basis of Greek mystery festivals, aims for a catharsis - which ultimately leads to the recognition of one's own self. The sensitization of all senses is always the focus. For the time being the artist had let red paint run over large canvases ("Schüttbilder"), but he gradually replaced them with blood. "Red is the most intense color because it is the color of life and death at the same time," says Nitsch. Since 1971, most of the performances of the Orgies-Mysteries Theater have taken place in Prinzschendorf Castle, Lower Austria, where he lives and works. With the invitation to realize his "122nd action" on the occasion of the 50th anniversary reopening in the Burgtheater, he also received the public recognition of the official theater company for the first time. Nitsch was visiting professor not only at the University of Vienna, but also at the State University in Frankfurt am Main. The artistic work of Hermann Nitsch enjoys international recognition, his works are in the world's most important museums.