PRESENTATION: Erwin Wurm
Erwin Wurm has been exploring the expressive possibilities of sculpture for over 35 years. As profound as it is ironic, his multifaceted body of work encompasses nearly all genres and extends the concept of sculpture via its interactive, social and temporal aspects. With his “Fat Sculptures”, middle-class status symbols like cars or single-family homes , the sculptor delivers snappy and striking commentary on today’s consumer society.
By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH Archive
Set against the historic backdrop of Bad Ischl’s former imperial summer residence, Erwin Wurm’s expansive exhibition delves deeply into the Austrian artist’s sculptural oeuvre, showcasing a rich selection of works spanning the last thirty years. This thoughtfully curated collection not only presents iconic pieces from Wurm’s career, but also reveals more intimate, autobiographical dimensions—touching on childhood memories marked by powerlessness and emotional confinement. Among the highlights are Wurm’s renowned sculptural landmarks such as the “Fat House” and “Fat Car”, both emblematic of his exploration of consumer culture, bodily transformation, and the absurd. Another central piece is “School”, the conceptual counterpart to his widely recognized “Narrow House”—a slender, distorted replica of his childhood home. While “Narrow House” speaks to familial conditioning and personal history, “School” confronts the institutionalized nature of state education, completing a powerful diptych of early formative structures. Wurm’s work extends beyond personal narrative, probing broader cultural and philosophical themes. Across his major series, he investigates intersections between philosophy, architecture, fashion, and notions of affluence. He also draws heavily on the culinary vernacular of Austrian folk life: loaves of bread, sausages, pastries, and gherkins are transformed into sculptural protagonists—playful, yet loaded with symbolic resonance. These familiar foodstuffs are not merely whimsical but serve as stand-ins for the artist himself, as well as reflections of his cultural landscape. The materials Wurm employs are as varied as his themes—ranging from fabric, metal, and acrylic to marble and glass—each medium chosen to amplify the conceptual and aesthetic intent of the work. Several exquisite glass sculptures add a delicate counterpoint to his more robust, exaggerated forms. Complementing the sculptural installations is a dedicated cinema space screening a curated selection of Wurm’s video works. These include pieces from his internationally acclaimed “One Minute Sculptures” series—brief, often humorous instructions for posing with everyday objects that blur the line between viewer and artwork. This body of work significantly contributed to Wurm’s global recognition and even inspired the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ music video for “Can’t Stop”, which paid homage to his unique visual language. Adding an interactive layer to the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in recreating some of Wurm’s “One Minute Sculptures” themselves—engaging with the artist’s practice not just as observers, but as temporary sculptural forms. This immersive exhibition offers a rare, multifaceted insight into one of contemporary art’s most inventive and provocative figures—where humor, critique, and existential inquiry meet in sculpture that is as playful as it is profound.
Photo: Erwin Wurm, Fat House, 2003, mixed media. Inside, the video “Am I a House?” (2005), Duration 8:40 min, is playing, © Erwin Wurm, Photo: © OÖLKG, Michael Maritsch, Courtesy the artist and OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH
Info: Curators: Alfred Weidinger and Lucas Cuturi, Marble Castle Bad Ischl, Jainzen 1, Bad Ischl (Access via Götz-Straße), Austria, Duration: 17/5-26/10/2025, Days & Hours: May-September: Daily 9:30-19, October: Daily 10:00-16:00, www.ooekultur.at/
