"A.E.I.O.U.", Anselm Kiefer

"A.E.I.O.U." is a walk-in artwork by Anselm Kiefer. Its interior elements — a wall inscription, a painting covered with natural wire that references a poem by Ingeborg Bachmann, and a rack of sixty lead books — interact with each other.

What does A.E.I.O.U. stand for?

"A.E.I.O.U." (2002) by Anselm Kiefer is the first art project of the Salzburg Walk of Modern Art. Location: Furtwänglerpark, near the Kollegienkirche and opposite the Festspielhaus.

The Earth. Austria. A house in Salzburg.
The title of the artwork alludes to the motto of Emperor Frederick III, " A.E.I.O.U. " which was originally intended to stand for "All earth is subject to Austria." There are over 300 interpretations of these enigmatic letters, and viewers today are also invited to find their own meanings.

Anselm Kiefer

Kiefer is a prominent German artist who works with monumental paintings, sculptures, and installations. His works intensely explore history, mythology, and memory, often using heavy materials such as lead, ash, and earth. Kiefer is one of the most important contemporary artists and has received numerous international awards.

Walk of Modern Art

The Salzburg Foundation initiated the Walk of Modern Art to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. Created between 2002 and 2019, the works by international artists such as James Turrell, Marina Abramović, Markus Lüpertz, and Brigitte Kowanz explore the intersection of history, urban architecture, and contemporary art.