2024 marks the tenth anniversary of Hannes Schwarz's death and 2026 would be the 100th anniversary of his birth. These two commemorative years form the temporal framework for a series of carefully coordinated yet independent events under the title Gegenwelten, which are intended to recall the work and influence of this outstanding painter and profound thinker.

The subject of the exhibition is the Schwarz house as an “open house”. Hannes Schwarz and his family spent a large part of his life in a detached house with an integrated studio designed by the Werkgruppe Graz in the eastern Styrian town of Weiz. This fine building, characterized by Asian influences, is not only a fine example of the post-war modernism of the 1960s in Styria. It also forms a bracket for numerous stories from the founding phase of the Forum Stadtpark. Photos and videos by Richard Frankenberger, Julia Gaisbacher, Christian Jungwirth, Martin Krusche, Kurt Lamberger, Rudi Molacek, Peter Philipp, Franz Sattler, Eckart Schuster, Helmut Tezak and unknown photographers, among others, are on display.

In two panel discussions, the cultural-political situation in Styria in the years after the Second World War and the prehistory of the Forum Stadtpark as well as the present and future relevance of (semi-)public and private art and cultural venues with their artist groups, will be examined. Hannes Schwarz - like other protagonists of the young cultural scene in Graz at the time - was a pupil at an elite National Socialist educational institution in his youth. It is remarkable to see the energy with which the young protagonists of the time confronted their own biographies and, with their artistic work and cultural commitment, made a significant contribution to opening up and working through their personal traumas and overcoming the social rigidity shaped by the Nazi regime.

Our heartfelt thanks for your generous support:
Markus Bogensberger (Building Culture Team A16, Province of Styria), Hermann Eisenköck (architect, collector of contemporary art), Forum Stadtpark, Hannes Schwarz Project Group, Reingard Schwarz (daughter and estate administrator of Hannes Schwarz), Association of Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Joanneum

Idea and concept:
Günter Koberg and Heidrun Primas Exhibition design and production: Elisa Wüntscher Graphic design: Paul Pacher