Franz West, one of the most exceptional protagonists of the Austrian art scene, counts among the internationally renowned artists of our time. Although West subjects the principles of Viennese actionism to reassessment in his work, the body remains the object of a critical exploration of societal standards as well as performative and situational artistic production. In the mid-1970s, West developed his “adaptives”, intended to create a physical relation; subsequently, West allowed his gestural, archetypal, massive bodies to intervene in the space around them. Visual codes of sculpturality can also be seen in his sculptural furniture and environments, which extend the idea of the adaptives to another spatial dimension and a different societal context. – “Sit on My Chair, Lay on My Bed. Applied Art” means objects that can be used for everyday purposes.

Exhibition Franz West, Peter Noever
Curator Bärbel Vischer
 

With the series ARTISTS IN FOCUS the MAK presents a new strategy for its Contemporary Art Collection. ARTISTS IN FOCUS shows essential bodies of work by contemporary artists in focused single presentations. One central aspect is to help facilitate art purchases necessary to complement the positions represented in the collection.