back of a book
Exhibition
Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien / Universitätsbibliothek Schillerplatz 3, 1010 Wien
2.10.—13.11.2025
Artists: Vanis Robert
Curator: Patrizia Wiesner-Ledermann
The old holdings of the university library, which are accessible to the public in the reading room, comprises around six thousand books. Visitors perceive the books more as a part of the historic interior than as a resource of knowledge.
German artist and photographer Robert Vanis, who brings together analog and digital technology in his work, comes from the tradition of experimental photography. He addresses the materiality of photography as well as its perception and use. In his photography installation “back of a book,” Vanis explores representation and accessibility as well as materiality and the transitory nature of knowledge. On several meters of shelves, he has replaced the backs of selected books with mirrors, photographs, facsimiles, photographic paper, and glass, along with large-format cyanotypes installed in front of the bookshelves. By subtly linking photography to its surroundings, he challenges photography’s possibilities of representation.
Attention: For details on accessibility, please contact the program partner directly.
German artist and photographer Robert Vanis, who brings together analog and digital technology in his work, comes from the tradition of experimental photography. He addresses the materiality of photography as well as its perception and use. In his photography installation “back of a book,” Vanis explores representation and accessibility as well as materiality and the transitory nature of knowledge. On several meters of shelves, he has replaced the backs of selected books with mirrors, photographs, facsimiles, photographic paper, and glass, along with large-format cyanotypes installed in front of the bookshelves. By subtly linking photography to its surroundings, he challenges photography’s possibilities of representation.
Attention: For details on accessibility, please contact the program partner directly.
Mon10 AM–6 PM
Tue10 AM–6 PM
Wed10 AM–6 PM
Fri10 AM–4 PM
free entry Barrier-free
Artists: Vanis Robert
Curator: Patrizia Wiesner-Ledermann
The old holdings of the university library, which are accessible to the public in the reading room, comprises around six thousand books. Visitors perceive the books more as a part of the historic interior than as a resource of knowledge.
German artist and photographer Robert Vanis, who brings together analog and digital technology in his work, comes from the tradition of experimental photography. He addresses the materiality of photography as well as its perception and use. In his photography installation “back of a book,” Vanis explores representation and accessibility as well as materiality and the transitory nature of knowledge. On several meters of shelves, he has replaced the backs of selected books with mirrors, photographs, facsimiles, photographic paper, and glass, along with large-format cyanotypes installed in front of the bookshelves. By subtly linking photography to its surroundings, he challenges photography’s possibilities of representation.
Attention: For details on accessibility, please contact the program partner directly.
German artist and photographer Robert Vanis, who brings together analog and digital technology in his work, comes from the tradition of experimental photography. He addresses the materiality of photography as well as its perception and use. In his photography installation “back of a book,” Vanis explores representation and accessibility as well as materiality and the transitory nature of knowledge. On several meters of shelves, he has replaced the backs of selected books with mirrors, photographs, facsimiles, photographic paper, and glass, along with large-format cyanotypes installed in front of the bookshelves. By subtly linking photography to its surroundings, he challenges photography’s possibilities of representation.
Attention: For details on accessibility, please contact the program partner directly.
Events related to this exhibition:
| 18 Uhr
The old holdings of the university library, which are accessible to the public in the reading room, comprises around six thousand books. Visitors perceive the books more as a part of the historic interior than as a resource of knowledge. German artist and...
Opening hours:
Mon10 AM–6 PM
Tue10 AM–6 PM
Wed10 AM–6 PM
Fri10 AM–4 PM
Address:
Schillerplatz 3
1010 Wien
Schillerplatz 3
1010 Wien