DISPATCHES FROM A TROUBLED CITY
The City as Novel

Every city, whether real or fictional, is multilayered and contradictory, a constant struggle for validation and coexistence. The exhibition draws parallels between daily life in contemporary Vienna and British author China Miévelle’s novel Perdido Street Station set in the fictional city of New Crobuzon. Using an experimental curatorial approach, seven artistic positions are paired associatively with passages from the book. 

From the dangers of advancing technology and the conflicts between multifaceted populations, to subcultures and places of refuge for those on the margins of society, each of the artistic positions examines a particular aspect of life shared by the two cities. Through open air markets, industrial quarters, artistic hangouts, and red light districts, the exhibition takes the viewers on a sightseeing tour of urban wonders. 

Curator:
Nika Kupyrova

Artitsts:
Aaron Amar Bhamra, Daniela Grabosch, Ordained Hardware, Mario Kiesenhofer, Gašper Kunšič, Anna Paul, Ekaterina Shapiro-Obermair