Walzer im Rausch des Erinnerns

Karlsplatz was once a meadow landscape, a natural space that has changed dramatically over the ages. As an homage to Yoko Ono‘s Collecting Piece, this sound installation aims to collect all the sounds that have disappeared in the course of urbanization and gentrification - the sounds of the former flora and fauna that once
shaped this place.

This exercise in active listening understands animals, plants and landscapes as independent, expressive subjects and as voices with which we can enter into a dialogue. The collected and composed sounds, together with waltz sounds, form an acoustic urban dialog that is artistically implemented in the Octopus. For visitors, a space of experience is created that invites them to listen to Strauss‘ music in a new way - by walking, immersing themselves, resonating - and to connect the sounds of memory with the urban space.

OCT.opus 25

The team of artists that go by the name of God’s Entertainment will be depositing a huge octopus replica in the pond near the Karlsplatz to offer us a new interpretation of Strauss’ waltzes.

This artistic ersatz for an octopus, representing an intriguing symbiosis between Strauss and cultural studies expert Donna Haraway, is designed to give us a completely new perspective on the waltz as such, with lively and provocative interpretations opening up unprecedented emotional and intellectual vistas on the music of Johann Strauss. With the help of an array of supporting artists, Strauss himself will conducting OCT.opus 25 and dancing to his own music. On five weekends, the project will be electrifying its audiences with humour, temperament, concerts, performances and dinners.