A participatory performance exploring the intersections of art history, cultural policy and public space, as part of the celebrations marking 70 years of the IG Bildende Kunst.
A vibrant stage moving through the city to showcase the achievements of the IG Bildende Kunst – that is Die Alte rollt auf Zeit. To mark the 70th anniversary of the interest group, a full-day, participatory performance for the public space was developed in collaboration with ZAK | Centre for Anti-Disciplinary Art: The five-kilometre route leads past former IG locations as well as cultural venues, staging events and themes from Austrian art and cultural policy. The ‘Alte’ of the title appears in the production in various guises as a combative and steadfast alter ego.
Conceived as a hybrid of procession, theatre and rally, the project draws on traditions of artistic actionism in its form – one might think, for example, of the New York-founded Bread and Puppet Theatre, founded in the wake of the Vietnam War protests, or of Jeremy Deller’s processions and re-enactments. Public space is explored as a place of political negotiation that has been central to history: the theatrical choreographies of Die Alte rollt auf Zeit transform the street into a stage, altering its perception and everyday use, which, alongside new experiences, also offers the opportunity to reach alternative publics with their messages. The scenes along the route deal with building networks, shaping public discourse and even demanding social rights, all of which are based on one underlying value: that of solidarity.
Location
Gallery
Further Information
IG Bildende Kunst
As the representative body for visual artists in Austria, IG Bildende Kunst advocates on behalf of visual artists in matters relating to arts policy, social issues, economic conditions, legal matters and other profession-specific interests. IG Bildende Kunst is committed to actively shaping political decision-making processes that affect the working conditions of visual artists and to improving the structural framework for artistic practice.
ZAK | Zentrum für antidisziplinäre Kunst [Centre for Anti-Disciplinary Art]
Since 2020, Aurelia van Kempen, Jessica Comis and Eva Sommer have been developing the ZAK | Centre for Anti-Disciplinary Art project to facilitate collaborations in various contexts. In 2021, they won the Theater Drachengasse’s emerging talent competition with their production Ufo | Ultra Fett Original. From 2022 to 2025, they temporarily took over the former nightclub Tête-à-Tête as a meeting place, research facility, and production and exhibition space. In 2024, they developed Piece of Love there, a series comprising open studios, exhibition formats, festivities, and cinematic and performative happenings. This series gave rise to the play of the same name, staged at the Theater Drachengasse. In 2025, they took to the stage at the Roter Salon at the Volksbühne Berlin with their new musical production Die Alte. In 2026, they are invited to present their artist’s statement at Parallel Vienna and celebrate the Birthday of the Old in their participatory pop-up format Café Schlurf at the Schlingerhof Cultural Centre.
ZAK defines itself as a holistic world in which no distinction is made between fiction and reality, nor is either judged. ZAK facilitates encounters, interaction, relationships and the transfer of knowledge. ZAK is as diverse as its members themselves.
Time Period
September 11, 2026
“Die Alte rollt auf Zeit” is made possible by BMWKMS, KÖR Wien, Kulturland Niederösterreich and the Otto Mauer Fund
Education - Events
- Tour: Meeting points and times Friday, September 11, 2026 / from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM