After the end of the Second World War Austria remained under Allied occupation for a decade when in 1955 it was given independence, provided that it remained neutral. Under these conditions the country had to find its role on the international stage that was very much shaped by the Cold War. During the same period many Asian and African states also gained independence from colonial rule and joined the Non-Aligned Movement which postulated neutrality in a politically charged environment. In this context Austria positioned itself as a neutral, seemingly independent partner without a colonial past.
Within the frameworks of development programs, diplomatic rapprochements and transnational cooperation also Austrian architects came into play: in countries like Burkina Faso, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Nepal and Tanzania architects like Ottokar Uhl, Karl and Eva Mang, Roland Rainer and Hannes Lintl realized considerable projects that represent self-confident contributions to oeuvres that otherwise are largely confined to Austria.
Until October 5 the Architekturzentrum Wien with „Global – Neutral: Architecture from Austria in Africa and Asia 1955–1989“ delves into this aspect of Austrian postwar architecture and shows the manifold entanglements between architecture, politics, diplomacy and self-representation. The exhibition is accompanied by the present eponymous catalogue, recently published by Park Books, that provides ample context to the political environment the architects operated in as well as it highlights the latter’s projects. Based on the archival holdings at the Architekturzentrum Wien, different authors discuss how international relationships were established and how architecture and architects fit into the Austrian architectural diplomacy.
With the exhibition and catalogue the AzW sheds light on an aspect of postwar Austrian architecture that has remained somewhat opaque but is integral to its understanding. A great effort and a truly insightful read!
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