15.07.2011–31.01.2012
Lectures/Events

The Open Public Library
by Clegg & Guttmann at the Künstlerhaus Salzburg

Participate in The Open Public Library at the Künstlerhaus!
A portrait of the community surrounding the Künstlerhaus Salzburg

“The Open Public Library” of Clegg & Guttmann is an open institution initiated in connection with the summer exhibition Sense and Sensibility of the Salzburger Kunstverein in the Künstlerhaus Salzburg. “The Open Public Library” has no guards or librarians; it is located outdoors, outside the Künstlerhaus, and designed for the continual usage by visitors, passersby, and most importantly those who live in the area surrounding the Künstlerhaus. The intended use of “The Open Public Library” is described on a plaque bolted to the library: you may take a limited number of books for a limited time.

“The Open Public Library” began with a book collection drive that will continue for the duration of the installation. Those wishing to contribute may bring their books to the Salzburger Kunstverein/Künstlerhaus, where they are catalogued (Mo 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tue 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat-Sun midday-7 p.m.), or leave them in the library itself.

Taken together, “The Open Public Library” and its documentation thus constitute a portrait of the neighborhood surrounding the Künstlerhaus – how the residents responded to the open institution erected in their midst.

It is worth noting that the bookcases were fashioned from former garbage bins. One may say that “The Open Public Library” provides an example of the recycling of institutions and forms of life – how to create new vibrant social forms from the discarded remains of others. That aspect of the project points to the fact that “The Open Public Library” is engaged in the possibility of social transformation in general.

We are looking forward to your participation and your visit of the library!