Carinthian Artists Explore Reality’s Edge in Saag Factory Exhibition

“Beyond the Beat” showcases Gerhard Walkensteiner and Gerhard Fresacher

Two artists from Carinthia, Gerhard Walkensteiner and Gerhard Fresacher, are transforming the industrial spaces of the Saag factory into a vibrant gallery. Their joint exhibition, titled “Beyond the Beat,” delves into fragments of reality, offering a unique perspective on artistic creation.

A Friendship Forged in Art

Having been friends for 15 years, Walkensteiner and Fresacher have a history of collaborating on artistic projects. Despite a significant age difference, their bond is rooted in mutual admiration for their distinct creative paths. We like each other so much because we have taken completely different directions and actually only combines admiration for each other, Walkensteiner shared.

Childhood Memories and Spontaneous Creation

Fresacher‘s contributions to the exhibition are characterized by an apparent ease, reminiscent of childhood memories. From my perspective, it is of course the high level that Wolfgang has developed over the decades, Fresacher commented, alluding to Walkensteiner‘s influence. It just happened that pictures from my childhood or childhood of my children, as in a kind of diary, have emerged and worked out. There is a part that is prepared and a part is spontaneous intervention on what I found here, he added.

Abstract Illusions and Artistic Impulse

Walkensteiner‘s work, while often appearing abstract, plays with the illusion of three-dimensional pictures. I try to bring the illusion of plastic pictures together and I think that I can do that quite well, he stated. He views artistic endeavor as a profoundly rewarding human experience: To be artistically active is one of the most beautiful matters that exist for a person. And I use that.

Exhibition Theme: Escaping the Clock

The exhibition’s title, “Beyond the Beat,” signifies the impulse to create art outside the constraints of conventional time or routine. Curator Magdalena Koschat explained that the show aims to highlight how artistic inspiration can flourish independently of societal rhythms. The exhibition is open to the public until August 10th.

The art world continues to explore innovative exhibition spaces. For instance, in 2024, abandoned industrial sites in Detroit hosted a major contemporary art fair, drawing significant international attention, demonstrating the growing trend of utilizing such venues for cultural events (The Art Newspaper, 2024).