The ritual of the nobility becomes a bourgeois habit”, this phrase aptly captures the difference between the lifestyles of the aristocracy and the middle class. The bourgeoisie never developed the pronounced class consciousness that came naturally to the nobility. At the same time, however, the modes of life of the ruling class remained exemplary and worthy of imitation for the middle class. A similar process can be observed between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, in humanity’s constant striving for change, advancement, and social recognition, in order to acquire corresponding privileges. It is the endless ritual of social development, and at the same time the deepest driving force behind tensions and conflicts.
Film and video artists at an international festival for moving images.
«Mirror, pixel & stars – Patrizier und Zünfte / Nobles and guilds» brings media technology, artists and audiovisual technicians invited by splitart projects wien in May, to produce a spectacular audio-visual ecosystem. The exhibition reaches beyond a limited and conventional display of art and the moving image or film, immersing in the essence of art that blurs the boundaries between mass culture, higher art and kitsch. It touches upon the true nature of contemporary culture.
«Mirror, pixel & stars – Patrizier und Zünfte / Nobles and guilds» will not describe or compare art and cinema, nor attempt a stylistic comparison of painting and film, rather attempt to reveal the connections between the two mediums. Let the conventional distinctions that bound the experimental and the narrative medium or video art, give way to the essence of the idea itself, along with its functionality and outcome. May is a panorama dedicated to the moving image, featuring an exciting lineup of diverse international artists showcasing their work each afternoon and evening, offering the audience a unique opportunity to connect and engage in conversation.
Curated by: Georg Georgakopoulos, Michalis Argyrou
Organised by: Splitartprojects Wien
In cooperation with Kunst im Keller Wien
Supported by: district Landstraße
Mirror, pixels & stars Vol.II: Patrizier und Zünfte
May 4 – 17, 2026
Duration: Monday – Sunday, 20:30 – 22:30
Introduction: Monday, May 4, 2026, 20:00
Splitart Projects Wien
Radetzkystrasse 4, 1030 Wien
Program
Monday 4.5. Maria Lappa
„Regimes of Gaze“, Interactive performance
Concept & Performance: Maria Lappa
Presentation: Maria Lappa & George Stavrianakis
Video: George Stavrianakis
Tuesday 5.5. Christoph Höschele
Film „Von Steckdose zu Steckdose“, 2023-2024
Buch, Kamera, Schnitt: Christoph Höschele
Booklet „Von Steckdose zu Steckdose“, 2025, mit Text von Particia Grzonka)
Wednesday 6.5. Markus Hofer/ Roman Pfeffer
„Restricted Conference“, Markus Hofer/ Roman Pfeffer
„Der Mensch und die intelligente Maschine“, Emil Aaron Baumann, Maksym Khodak, Laura Schlagintweit, Max Steinacker, Lydia Simon, Šimon Varaus
Exhibition, Film Screening
Thursday 7.5. Kostis Stafylakis
Screening of the video, „Dead Brony: The Cave Concert“
Friday 8.5. Vicky Betsou
“Mnemonic Nebulae”, Video screening
Saturday 9.5. Marion Fischer
„Zwischen Echo und Resonanz“, Videos, digital Art, Talk
Sunday 10.5. Walentina Ammann, Alzbeta Ciperova, Ruth Größwang, Emily Ramharter, Severin Standhartinger, Luzia Stempfer
„At last for now“, Video screening
Monday 11.5. Roland Reiter
„Boom Boom Tschak“, Video screening and Performance
Tuesday 12.5. Victor Karamanlis
„Alan Wu“, Feature Film, 2025
Wednesday 13.5. Nikos Artemis/ Kostas Bassanos
“NOT I (After Beckett)”, Video screening
Thursday 14.5. Die 4 Grazien (Mela Diamant, Susanna Schwarz, G.Maria Wetter) and Christiane Spatt
„Heldinnen – Staying alive as female artists“, collaborative video with Christiane Spatt, followed by more videos from the Graces
Friday 15.5. Tamir Hadar
Curated by: Julia Harrauer/ Marlene Stahl
„In the name of“, Photographic installation
Saturday 16.5. Eurovision
Sunday 17.5. Lars* Kollros
Video and Audiovisual installation