WAM NEWS

Who is RUDOLF SCHWARZKOGLER?

Rudolf Schwarzkogler was an Austrian artist known for his avant-garde and actionist works. Born in 1940, Schwarzkogler’s early photographic works were often created by his classmate Wilfried Klanjsek-Bratke, showcasing him in dandyish poses that portrayed a complex image of a sensitive, yet emotionally detached artist.

During his studies at the Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt, his few surviving panel paintings do not adhere to a specific style, reflecting his exploratory nature influenced by artists such as Lucio Fontana, Piero Manzoni, and Yves Klein.

In 1962, Schwarzkogler created a piece by pouring white and blue paint over a wooden crucifix he had carved himself, echoing the work of his contemporary Hermann Nitsch. Both artists were closely linked in both their artistic endeavours and personal friendship. However, while Nitsch focused on documenting the process of his performative actions, Schwarzkogler considered the photographic image as the pinnacle of his actionist activities.

In 1965, Schwarzkogler performed his first action, Hochzeit (Wedding), using painted human bodies, animal carcasses, and surgical and technical objects to stage ritualistic scenes. This was the only one of his six actions performed in front of a small audience; subsequent actions were conducted solely for photographers.

After 1966, Schwarzkogler turned to theoretical concepts, notably Das ästhetische Panorama, which he envisioned as a total work of art. By 1968-1969, his focus shifted to Eastern religious teachings and practices, seeking a more conscious approach to physical and sensory experiences through excessive fasting without medical supervision, which severely impacted his health.

Increasingly withdrawn, Schwarzkogler questioned the nature of reality, delving into themes of illusion, vision, and fantasy. He died in 1969 from a fall from his apartment window.

In 1972, an erroneous claim in Time magazine stated that Schwarzkogler had died from self-castration, turning him into a dark myth in the art world. While he gained recognition in the USA as a martyr and pioneer of staged photography, his legacy faded in Austria. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Vienna’s Central Cemetery, with no remaining markers to commemorate his resting place.

For more informations

Oe1 travelled in the footsteps of Rudolf Schwarzkogler and also visited the WAM.
Listen here: https://oe1.orf.at/player/20240702/762824

Rudolf Schwarzkogler
1st action, Hochzeit (Wedding) / (Detail),
February 6, 1965
Heinz und Franziska Cibulka‘s
apartment, Kaiserstraße 16, 1070 Vienna
color photographs
with: Anni Brus, Heinz Cibulka
photo: Walter Kindler

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays
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Monday and Tuesday Closed

OPENING
MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now closed

OPENING MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now Closed

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Jetzt Geschlossen

Eröffnungsausstellung

Was ist Wiener Aktionismus?

Gunter Brus

Otto Muehl

Hermann Nitsch

Rudolf Schwarzkogler

15.03.2024 – 31.01.2025

Now closed

opening exhibition

What is Vienna Actionism?

Gunter Brus

Otto Muehl

Hermann Nitsch

Rudolf Schwarzkogler

15.03.2024 – 31.01.2025

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SWEAT AND BLOOD
Diana Burkot

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Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

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Now Closed

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Monday and Tuesday Closed

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

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BAZON BROCK – LECTURE

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Note to the participants

Meeting point: Foyer / Entrance
The event is free of charge.

Tickets

Admission 10,00 €
Concession 5,00 €

Free Admission

Entitled to free admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Children & young people under the age of 18
  • People with disabilities
  • ICOM Members
  • Members of Kulturpass

Concession

Entitled to reduced admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Students, apprentices/trainees aged up to 27
  • Seniors aged 65 and over

Group Admission

Group size: from 5 to max. 25 people
Admission: 7,50 € (p.P.)

Ticketcooperations

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays
11:00 AM – 6:00 Pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

OPENING
MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now closed

OPENING MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now Closed

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

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Tickets

Admission 10,00 €
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Entitled to free admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
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  • People with disabilities
  • ICOM Members
  • Members of Kulturpass

Concession

Entitled to reduced admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Students, apprentices/trainees aged up to 27
  • Seniors aged 65 and over

Group Admission

Group size: from 5 to max. 25 people
Admission: 7,50 € (p.P.)

Ticketcooperations

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays
11:00 AM – 6:00 Pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

OPENING
MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now closed

OPENING MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now Closed

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Application
Public guided tour

In individual cases, the guided tours may be documented photographically or on film for the website or social media. If you do not agree to this, please let us know at the time of booking.

Note to the participants

Meeting point: Foyer / Entrance
Duration of the tour: 60 minutes
The guided tour is included in the admission price.

Tickets

Admission 10,00 €
Concession 5,00 €

Free Admission

Entitled to free admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Children & young people under the age of 18
  • People with disabilities
  • ICOM Members
  • Members of Kulturpass

Concession

Entitled to reduced admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Students, apprentices/trainees aged up to 27
  • Seniors aged 65 and over

Group Admission

Group size: from 5 to max. 25 people
Admission: 7,50 € (p.P.)

Ticketcooperations

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays
11:00 AM – 6:00 Pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

OPENING
MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now closed

OPENING MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now Closed

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Application DIRECTOR’S TOUR

In individual cases, the guided tours may be documented photographically or on film for the website or social media. If you do not agree to this, please let us know at the time of booking.

Note to the participants

Meeting point: Foyer / Entrance
Duration of the tour: 60 minutes
The guided tour is included in the admission price.

Tickets

Admission 10,00 €
Concession 5,00 €

Free Admission

Entitled to free admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Children & young people under the age of 18
  • People with disabilities
  • ICOM Members
  • Members of Kulturpass

Concession

Entitled to reduced admission upon presentation of the necessary proof:
  • Students, apprentices/trainees aged up to 27
  • Seniors aged 65 and over

Group Admission

Group size: from 5 to max. 25 people
Admission: 7,50 € (p.P.)

Ticketcooperations

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays
11:00 AM – 6:00 Pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

OPENING
MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now closed

OPENING MARCH 15, 2024
5:00 PM

Now Closed

Wed. – Sun. and on public holidays 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Monday and Tuesday Closed

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Copyright 2024 WA-M Wiener Aktionismus Museum GmbH

Now Closed

Opening exhibition

What is Vienna Actionism?

Gunter Brus

Otto Muehl

Hermann Nitsch

Rudolf Schwarzkogler

15.03.2024 – 31.01.2025

Dates & Events

November 2024

November 30, Saturday, 3:00 PM

Public guided tour (DE)

Tour through the current exhibition.

November 30, Saturday, 6:00 PM

Bazon Brock

Heroic actionism into the void or the unfolding of the poetry of the permanent
Vienna Actionism today

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary and reinstallation of the installation “Einen Augenblick Zeit” by Hofstetter Kurt in the Vienna subway station Schottentor/University.

Actionism as an art practice is not a name for the simple process of life in the dynamics of waking and sleeping, of building and tearing down, of hunger and satiety, of hiding and finding. Artistic actionism is oriented towards the question: Is it possible to specifically determine effect in interpersonal action? …

December 2024

December 01, Sunday, 4:00 PM

Director’s tour (DE)

Tour through the current exhibition.

Exhibition: 06.12.2024 – 31.01.2025

Pussy Riot – Diana Burkot

Sweat an Blood

December 6, Friday, 6:00 PM

Opening & Artist Talk

“Sweat and Blood” explores themes of inner emigration — personal alienation from oppressive systems — amid sensory overload and mental escapism, blending social critique and personal trauma, while confronting today’s normalization of war through subtle acts of withdrawal rather than confrontation.

December 7, Saturday, 7:00 PM

Music performance

“Sweat and Blood” is a new multidisciplinary art project by Diana Burkot (member of the Pussy Riot collective for over 10 years, member of the Riot Days Show by Pussy Riot for 5 years) presented in different forms, one of which is a music album and live show.

Blending atmospheric sound design with emotionally charged vocals, poetry, performance and personal narratives, this show delves into themes of inner exile / emigration, trauma, and resistance against social and political repression.

December 8, Sunday, 6:00 PM

Performance

The performance ‘Sweat and Blood’ is an act of protest from a feminist perspective, intended to express powerlessness in the face of various forms of violence, but above all political violence. The work plays with the intersections of power, war, vulnerability and collective guilt and can be read as a clear anti-war statement. 


December 14, Saturday, 3:00 PM

Public guided tour (EN)

Tour through the current exhibition.

December 15, Sunday, 4:00 PM

Director’s tour (DE)

Tour through the current exhibition.

February 2025

Exhibition: 13.02.2025 – 10.06.2025

Four Actions

With its second exhibition, the WAM is now going into greater depth. The opening exhibition WHAT IS VIENNA ACTIONISM? first offered an overview of the multi-layered developments of this movement in the 1960s, whereby the individual actions were only presented with exemplary photos. Now, under the title FOUR ACTIONS, an exhibition series is being launched that presents selected actions with all the available historical material. In this way, it will be possible for the first time to understand the actions in all their detail. The aim of the exhibition is to open up new perspectives on the reception of Vienna Actionism through the precise examination of individual actions.