"Beyond Recall", Brigitte Kowanz

11th art project Salzburg Walk of Modern Art: Brigitte Kowanz, "Beyond Recall" (2011) at Staatsbrücke.

Beyond Recall, a luminous work of art by Brigitte Kowanz, combines light, language, and technology to create a reflective installation.

Bridge into the past

In her project entitled "Beyond Recall", the Austrian artist Brigitte Kowanz has erected semi-transparent mirror-faced cubes over the bases of the four bridgeheads of Staatsbrücke. They contain neon-lit lettering in the artist's handwriting bearing the inscription: "Beyond Recall", "Envision", "Dedicated Secret".

A constant reminder

They also contain a text in memory of the hundreds of prisoners of war and forced labourers, who were compelled to work on the construction of this bridge against their will from 1941 until 1945 and made great sacrifices. This memorial text is at the very core of her work. The functionality of the bridge merges with its history. The bridge connects and at the same time symbolizes the cruelties of the past. "Beyond Recall" wants to remind us not to forget.

About the Artist

Brigitte Kowanz (1957-2022) was an internationally recognized Austrian artist who extensively explored light as an artistic medium. Her work often combines language, signs, and light sources, operating at the intersection of art, technology, and communication. She was a professor at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna for many years, shaping a new generation of artists.

The idea behind the Walk of Modern Art

Initiated by the Salzburg Foundation, the Walk of Modern Art makes contemporary art accessible to everyone. From 2002 to 2019, international artists such as James Turrell, Marina Abramović, Markus Lüpertz, and Brigitte Kowanz created works in the field of tension between history, urban architecture, and contemporary art.

Practical information

- The artworks of the Walk of Modern Art Salzburg are freely accessible.
- The duration of the walk is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Guided tours