Luftgeschäfte und Wasserspiele

Susanne Mariacher

Vernissage: September 25, 18:00

ZETA Contemporary Art Center

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The term Luftgeschäft—a fictitious business—lends itself well to describe the state of the real estate market in many European cities. Is the development of properties for the purpose of achieving higher profits not literally a matter of trading with the rights to the air above a plot of land? Indeed Wasserspiele—frisky, lavish water installations in gardens or cities—repeatedly take on a representative role for those who have the power to shape cities.

In her performative works in public space, Susanne Mariacher engages in the playful reinterpretation of the public resources of air and water. In doing so she intends to question how space and the built environment is negotiated and who gets a seat at the negotiating table.

In the exhibition entitled Luftgeschäfte und Wasserspiele she is presenting multiple works developed in different cities.

Susanne Mariacher comes to Tirana in the context of a month-long studio scholarship by the province of Salzburg.

Susanne Mariacher (*1988 in Salzburg, Austria) lives in Vienna. She has a background in architecture and social design.

Susanne Mariacher teaches, works, and practices at the intersection of architecture, social design, and public art. In her collective and individual practice, she develops spatial, performative, and participatory interventions in urban spaces, closely collaborating with local communities. Most recently, as a member of the AKT collective, together with architect Hermann Czech, she curated the Austrian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.