The exhibition in the grounds of the former imperial summer residence in Bad Ischl focuses mainly on Erwin Wurm's sculptural work and includes pieces from the past three decades.

The exhibited works, some of which provide very personal insights into the artist's life, sometimes deal with experiences from his childhood - feelings of powerlessness and confinement. In addition to the Fat House, the Fat Car and other classics from Wurm's oeuvre,the school, the counterpart to the Narrow House, a narrow replica of Wurm's childhood home, will also be part of the exhibition. While the one building is a symbol of socialization through the parental home, the school stands for education by the state. Wurm's explorations of the themes of philosophy, architecture, fashion and luxury form important series of works.

Erwin Wurm Big Hypnosis, 2008, aluminum © OÖLKG, Michael Maritsch

The artist also draws on culinary representatives of Austrian folk culture. Bread and pastries, extra sausage and pickled gherkins become the protagonists of his work and represent both the artist himself and his surroundings. The materials with which the artist realizes his works are as extensive as the different themes of the works on display. In addition to objects made of fabric, metal, acrylic and marble, some objects made of glass will also be on display.

Erwin Wurm, Star, 2025, mixed media © OÖLKG, Michael Maritsch

Accompanying the artist's sculptural oeuvre, there will also be a small cinema in which a selection of Wurm's video works will be shown. Wurm gained international recognition primarily through his One Minute Sculptures group of works and attracted widespread public interest, not least due to a music video by the cult band "Red Hot Chili Peppers", which used them as a source of inspiration for one of their music videos. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to interactively recreate some of Wurm's One Minute Sculptures in a self-experiment.
May 17 to October 26, 2025
www.ooekultur.at