Vanitas (Salzburg)

Vanitas in the crypt of the Salzburg Cathedral

Vanitas is a shadow play in the choir crypt of Salzburg Cathedral in the old town of Salzburg . The work of art was created by the French artist Christian Boltanski as part of the “ Art Project Salzburg ” in 2009 .

The artwork

The eighth work for the Salzburg art project is a shadow installation in the choir crypt of Salzburg Cathedral.

With the shadow play in the crypt, Boltanski staged a work that is intensely involved in the space there. This once sacred space has long been the resting place of many people. With his work, the artist redefined this historical place as a mystical space and combines these two components of history and mysticism with the sacred backdrop.

The work of art Vanitas ( Latin for nothingness, emptiness (as opposed to reality) ) aims at the religious-philosophical concept of vanitas and is intended to remind of the transience and decay of the earthly. Materially the work consists of two parts. On one wall of the crypt, Boltanski attached twelve fine figures made of sheet metal, which are lit by candles. The flickering light casts moving shadows on the wall. In the apse the "angel of death" circles. The shadow play represents a modern version of the " dance of death ". In addition, an automatic time announcement is repeated continuously. Boltanski's intention is that people here can hear and feel the time. “People can do a lot, but they cannot fight against time. God is the master of time. "(Christian Boltanski)

crypt

This choir crypt was created under Conrad I von Wittelsbach (1181–1200) during the construction of the old Salzburg cathedral and filled in after the fire in 1598 and the subsequent demolition of the old cathedral. The crypt was uncovered during archaeological excavations between 1956 and 1958. It was only made accessible to the public with the art installation.

background

Boltanski's work goes back to an initiative of the Salzburg Foundation. This was founded in 2001 as a private initiative and sees itself as a modern form of patronage. The aim of the entire Salzburg art project , which received no public subsidies, was to inspire international artists for the city of Salzburg and to encourage them to create a specific work of art for a location of their choice.

At the instigation of the Salzburg Foundation and Domkustos Balthasar Sieberer, the crypt was restored for Boltanski's work at the expense of the Cathedral Church Fund in Salzburg, the Liechtenstein Foundation Propter Homines , the Federal Ministry for Education, Art and Culture and the State and City of Salzburg. The work of art itself was financed by the Salzburg Foundation, but like all works in this series of projects is now owned by the Würth Group .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Information board in the crypt of Salzburg Cathedral
2. ^ Salzburg Foundation

Coordinates: 47 ° 47 '52.3 "  N , 13 ° 2' 49.7"  E