„S“ for Super Art

The fair’s artistic director Stefan Bidner described the 8th edition of Parallel Vienna, which opened its doors in the Altes Gewerbehaus this week, as a „tour de force, but also fun“. Due to Corona, there are time slots and compulsory masks for visitors. „The discipline is very high,“ said Bidner, one adheres strictly to the regulations in order not to take any risks. Apart from that, this year’s fair stands under a very special leitmotif – the floor plan of the 8-storey building on Rudolf-Sallinger-Platz is formed in the shape of an „S“, as on Superman’s chest. In the language of the Kryptonians – Superman’s home people – it is a symbol for hope, as Bidner explains, for the hope that things will get better again: „We have charged the house with the superpowers of art.“ And that’s something to be proud of.

The best way to work your way through the dense program is from the 8th floor down – smaller and larger office spaces are occupied by around 40 galleries, 50 offspaces, a dozen art classes and numerous individual artists. A total of 130 exhibitors bustling around on 4,200 square meters. Among the highlights are the works of Sophia Süßmilch, shown by Galerie Peter Krobath, „Doing Nothing with AI“, a billowing sculpture by Emanuel Gollob that makes use of brainwave measurements and Artificial Intelligence technology, and Alfredo Barsuglia with a double of himself as a cardboard stand-up artist, on which his face is transmitted live to a tablet mounted on the doll instead of a head: „The Artist Is Always Present“ is the title, ingenious though a bit borrowed..

Mario Mauroner focuses on female power with strong works by Iv Toshain (love her Haiku Neon „I practice what I preach“) or Sandrine Pelletier, KOENIG 2 by_robbygreif shows works by Thilo Jenssen and Maruša Sagadin. One artist who has really dealt with the event space is Marie-France Goerens, shown by zs art galerie. She has created her installation of 2 meters high perforated metal steles especially for Parallel, with reference to the oblique angles in many rooms, caused by the bent – „S-shaped“ – floor plan of the building.

In spite of Corona especially in town for the fair and particularly worth seeing: the space of the Portuguese Kubik Gallery. Apart from Sérgio Fernandes’ stunning oil paintings, that question the relationship between painting and spectator also Flávia Vieira’s textile as well as ceramic works are eye catching. A real asset are furthermore the exhibitions of the Academy classes and the Neuer Kunstverein Wien. Especially the presentation „Transition. In between, After, Post…“ by the Department of Local Art of Paul Petritsch, University of Applied Arts Vienna. Curated by Christina Nägele, seven graduates are showing current artistic works, such as Alice von Alten’s sculpture „Urban Landscape“ made of carpet remnants, Francesca Aldegani’s stories about places of mass production, „The Working Memory Collection“, or „Astronaut“ by Nadine Hirschauer – a weather balloon, inflated to fill the room and removed from its purpose. In reference to the air traffic restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a longing for places that are elsewhere.

The wild mixture of renowned galleries and newcomers is the traditional attraction of the Parallel Vienna, and this year’s cutting-edge art fair once again lives up to its reputation. For students, the Parallel often offers the first big appearance, and the so-called „Artist Statements“ also provide impressions worth seeing this year. To finish off, it’s a must to head up to the Rooftop Bar for a drink – this year’s event may be less party-orientated though all the more it offers a breathtaking view.