curator: Basak Senova
artists: Alina Rentsch, Bengü Karaduman, Bochra Taboubi, Conny Zenk, Els Van Houtert, Eser Epözdemir, Férielle Doulain, Julia Stern, Kim M. Reynolds, Maarit Mustonen, Nondumiso Lwazi Msimanga, Noor Abed, Sofia Priftis, Sophia Bellouhassi, Verena Miedl-Faißt, Younes Ben Slimane
guest artists: Bronwyn Lace, Ebru Kurbak, Egle Oddo, Johan Thom, Jyoti Mistry, Hristina Ivanoska, Larissa Sansour, Lisl Ponger, Marcus Neustetter, PUBLICS, William Kentridge, Yane Calovski, The ZoNE
associated actors: asCristiana De Marchi, Cazlynne Peffer, Dylan Graham, Indalo Bennet, Nirual Kenabru, Nisrine Boukhari, Teboho Lebakeng, Zhou Yuq
spatial design: Basak Senova
venue: AIL, The University of Applied Arts Vienna
coordinates: Vienna, 2022
website: https://theoctopusprogramme.uni-ak.ac.at/index.php/the-octopus-2022/
The Octopus Programme concluded with the Octopus exhibition as the most comprehensive iteration of the experimental curatorial and educational path pursued by the Octopus Programme.
The exhibition took place at the AIL, which is located at The Austrian Postal Savings Bank building (Österreichische Postsparkasse) in Vienna, designed and built by the architect Otto Wagner. The building is regarded as a significant early example of modern architecture, symbolising Wagner’s initial departure from Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism. The exhibition unfolded in both the right and left wings of the venue, with the Octopus conceptualising and utilising these wings as the ‘dark side’ and the ‘bright side’. These divergent lighting situations created conducive atmospheres for the artworks. The spatial design of the exhibition and the particular placement of the works guided the perception and bodily movements of the audience, enabling them to explore connections between the works and their immediate surroundings, incorporating specific features of the space. Moreover, the process of setting up the exhibition aligned with the concurrent renovations and construction works taking place within the building’s structure. This synchronicity underscored the comprehensive and progressive composition of the programme that resonated with the exhibition. In the same vein, the Octopus exhibition functioned as a platform, effectively highlighting the spectrum of completed and ongoing research projects. the Octopus exhibition manifested the development of a generative research methodology within the Octopus Programme, achieved by merging the perspectives of academic entities and contemporary art institutions.
The exhibition presented new critical perspectives for approaching artistic research and practices. It featured an accumulation of research and process-based works by its participants, as well as corresponding areas of inquiry and interest. the Octopus presented the participating artists and also highlighted its autonomous network through the exhibited works and the foundations that shaped them. In this respect, the Octopus also featured prominent examples from certain guest lecturers who influenced the programme.
Opening performances of the exhibition by Gischt & Conny Zenk and Misonica took place in the glass dome hall, which bridges the two wings of the exhibition.
During the exhibition, Barbara Putz-Plecko, Anderwald+Grond, and Johannes Jäger conducted special guided tours, offering diverse perspectives on the exhibition. Putz-Plecko provided insights into the exhibition from an artist’s standpoint, Anderwald+Grond shared perspectives from their ongoing research on dizziness, incorporating perceptive notions to comprehend the exhibition, and Johannes Jäger offered insights from the viewpoint of an evolutionary biologist.
The production of the exhibition was undertaken by Techizart from Istanbul.
the Octopus Public Programme
02.-03.-05.06.2022, 3-day programme at Tonkino Saalbau, Vienna
A three-day public programme of the Octopus took place at Tonkino Saalbau, organised by Başak Şenova. Hosted by the Austrian filmmaker and artist Paul Krimmer at his studio in the fifteenth district, Tonkino Saalbau, designed as a movie theatre with an indoor bar and an adjoining courtyard, served as an ideal venue for screenings, presentations, conversations, and artist talks. Tonkino Saalbau played a crucial role as a social hub for both the participants and the local art community.
Day 1 included an introduction by Başak Şenova; a conversation with Renad Shqeirat facilitated by Şenova; a discussion between Sophia Bellouhassi, Kai Feldheim, and Anna Höfling; a performance by Els Van Houtert; a video screening by Cristiana De Marchi; a conversation between Barbara Holub and Şenova; a discussion with Maarit Mustonen and Nikolaus Gansterer; and the screening of the Octopus Programme Artist Videos.
Day 2 featured a conversation between Verena Miedl-Faißt and Bronwyn Lace; a conversation with Ramesch Daha facilitated by Şenova; a showcase of artist books by Maarit Mustonen, a lecture performance by Eser Epözdemir; a video screening by Conny Zenk; a lecture performance by Julia Stern; a lecture performance by The ZoNE; and a 35mm Film Screening by Renger Van Den Heuvel (director) and Paul Krimmer (director of photography).
Day 3 covered a conversation between Lisl Ponger and Kim M. Reynolds; a discussion with Bochra Taboubi, Mohamad Bazzi, Zeyneb Raissi and Yasser Jridi; a video screening by Larissa Sansour; a lecture performance by Bronwyn Lace; a performative talk by Anderwald+Grond, a video screening by Verena Miedl-Faißti; a lecture performance by Marcus Neustetter; and a workshop by Sophia Bellouhassi.
