Renowned Austrian media artist Peter Kogler, originally from Innsbruck, is opening his private photo archive for the first time to the public in a groundbreaking exhibition titled "Alphabet City" at the Francisco Carolinum in Linz. The artist, widely recognized as a pioneer of media art who began using computers as artistic tools in the 1980s, is showcasing personal photographs alongside his signature installations and sculptures.
In 1985, Kogler spent several months living in New York's Alphabet City neighborhood, which serves as the namesake for his current exhibition. He had accepted an invitation from Gracie Mansion Gallery to create cardboard artworks on-site in the vibrant Manhattan district. During his stay, he documented city life using a small Minox camera, capturing the pulsating art and music scene that characterized New York during that transformative era of social and technological change.
The exhibition came about through a personal connection with museum leadership. "Alfred Weidinger, the museum director, visited me and somehow saw these photos from my New York period. He found the material interesting and invited me to exhibit them here," Kogler explained. The display features not only his previously unseen photographs but also sculptures and works created during and after his time in New York, including the original cardboard pieces from his 1985 Gracie Mansion Gallery exhibition.
The show creates a striking contrast between Kogler's intimate documentary photography and his internationally acclaimed wallpaper installations, which have become his signature medium. These large-scale geometric patterns can be found not only in museums worldwide but also in public spaces throughout Austria, including the train station in Graz and the subway station at Vienna's Karlsplatz.
Linz holds special significance in Kogler's artistic journey, as the city recognized his innovative work early in his career. He received the prestigious Prix Ars Electronica in 1988, and by the following year, he was serving on the award's jury panel. This period marked his emergence as a true pioneer in the field of media art, establishing his reputation for integrating technology with traditional artistic practices.
Today, Kogler enjoys international recognition, having exhibited his work at prestigious venues including the Venice Biennale and the Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt. His artistic influence extends far beyond Austria's borders, with installations and exhibitions spanning continents.
The "Alphabet City" exhibition serves as an integral component of this year's Ars Electronica Festival, scheduled to take place in Linz from September 3-7, 2025. This connection brings Kogler's artistic journey full circle, as he returns to the city where he first gained major recognition nearly four decades ago. The exhibition at the Francisco Carolinum represents both a personal retrospective and a celebration of the enduring relationship between the artist and the Austrian city that helped launch his international career.
