Exploring Passion’s Diverse Canvas: A Journey through VIENNA ART WEEK 2023
In the radiant tapestry of Vienna’s art scene, a week-long extravaganza illuminates the cityscape every November. This vibrant celebration, known as VIENNA ART WEEK, emerged in 2005 as a torchbearer, casting its glow on the diverse artistic expressions spanning epochs from the Baroque to our contemporary era. Teaming up with nearly 70 program partners, the festival invites art enthusiasts into a whirlwind of over 100 complimentary events. From immersive guided tours to riveting expert discussions, from captivating exhibitions to thought-provoking symposiums, it’s a kaleidoscope of creativity on display.
The essence of VIENNA ART WEEK 2023 finds its heartbeat in the exploration of passion—both its fervent allure and its untamed, potent nature. “INCITING PASSION” emerges as the theme, weaving together the threads of this intense emotion that binds and divides us in equal measure. While our collective adoration for art unites us, divergent perspectives surface swiftly beyond that common ground. In matters of love, work, politics, and even faith, passion emerges as a tempestuous force, propelling individuals towards their ambitions with unwavering commitment. Yet, paradoxically, it bears the potential for destruction and peril. VAW 2023 endeavors to encapsulate this enigmatic duality, mirroring our contemporary emotional landscape across the private and public realms.
Delving into the depths of human existence, the philosophical underpinnings of passion reverberate. Plato’s dichotomy of the rational and irrational souls delineates our pursuits: reason and logic tethered to one, desire and corporeal sensations driving the other. The ancient Greek sage, in pondering this contrast, advocated for the exclusion of artists from the political sphere, citing their uncontrollable, impassioned nature. Throughout history, artists have emerged as barometers of their epochs, evoking emotional responses through their creations—be it through arresting aesthetics or evocative imagery spanning the spectrum from romantic ardor to nationalism.
Expressions of empathy, tenderness, and commitment echo across millennia. The origins of the first love letter echo through the Old Testament’s Book of Solomon, a poetic exchange between a young couple. However, VIENNA ART WEEK 2023 seeks to transcend heteronormative boundaries and traditional views of love, delving into Şeyda Kurt’s poignant work, “Radical Tenderness: Why Love is Political.” Kurt challenges the perception of love as a purely private affair, spotlighting the inherent power dynamics within relationships. This discourse extends to Eva Illouz’s “The End of Love: A Sociology of Negative Relations,” advocating for autonomy in matters of sexuality and relationships. Yet, societal equality remains elusive, as depicted in Nan Goldin’s documentation of the disparities faced by non-conforming sexual identities, a narrative spanning back to the 1980s.
In the contemporary sphere, artists like Zanele Muholi bear witness to the profound intimacy and struggle within the South African LGBTQIA+ community. Their works encapsulate the raw passion of living authentically amidst adversity. Tracey Emin’s autobiographical artworks delve into personal passions, from documenting past relationships to confronting the specter of mortality through candid paintings. Louise Bourgeois, shaped by childhood traumas, similarly channels catharsis through her art, unveiling the profound impact of psychological turmoil on creativity.
The current societal fabric, woven with threads of hedonism, prizes pleasure above all else, birthing a transformation in courtship. From sonnets of yore to detached digital dating, emotional detachment permeates the landscape. Byung-Chul Han’s concept of “emotional capitalism” sheds light on the commodification of feelings, corroding the essence of relationships. This societal detachment fuels a burgeoning desire for artificially generated passion through emotionally intelligent AI—a quest to substitute genuine human intimacy.
The realm of politics and religion remains a historical cauldron for inciting passion. Throughout art history, their intertwined narrative has birthed ecstasy, mysticism, and cults. Artists like Jeremy Shaw delve into transcendental experiences, exploring fervent devotion through visual mediums. Conversely, the controversial works of Hermann Nitsch or Bill Viola address religious themes, evoking visceral responses.
Yet, the exploration of passion extends beyond personal and religious realms to encompass its role in nationalism, revolutions, and conflicts. Recent global events underscore the perilous confluence of impassioned loyalty and political manipulation. Martha Rosler’s “POINT & SHOOT, a mourning thought” unveils the exploitation of fervent allegiance, unraveling societal order for personal gain.
Returning to Plato’s notion of impassioned artists being exiled from politics, a modern resonance reverberates in totalitarian regimes like Iran, Russia, Cuba, Turkey, and China. Artists daring to critique political oppression face persecution or expulsion, mirroring the timeless struggle between artistic expression and authoritarianism.
VIENNA ART WEEK 2023 provokes introspection into the depths of our rational and irrational souls. Perhaps, in matters of love and conflict, the adage “all is fair” ought not to hold true. This exploration beckons us to redefine the boundaries of passion, steering us towards a nuanced understanding of its power and perils in our intricate human nature.
by Alice Zucca
