Manfred Staudinger, a 66-year-old Austrian photographer and architect from Wolkersdorf in Lower Austria's Weinviertel region, has spent decades capturing the essence of more than 100 cities worldwide through his unique dynamic photography technique. His artistic journey transforms static urban scenes into flowing, luminous compositions that bring light and soul back to his hometown community.
Staudinger's remarkable career began in 2007 at New York's Times Square, where he captured the vibrant energy of the iconic location with his digital camera—not as a rigid image, but as a flowing, glowing composition. From there, his artistic journey expanded globally, taking him to Shanghai's subway system where neon tubes became pulsating light trails, and to Seville where flickering lights transformed into dancing fire lines in his works.
Today, Staudinger's portfolio encompasses over 100 cities including Prague, Leipzig, Berlin, Dubai, Athens, Saigon, Venice, Dresden, Mallorca, Beijing, and naturally, his hometown of Wolkersdorf. Each city in his collection is not merely photographed but painted in a special way. "The camera is my brush, light is my color," Staudinger explains, describing his unique artistic philosophy that blends photography with painterly techniques.
A painter and draftsman since 1977, Staudinger extends captured moments into infinity through his innovative approach. In his works, a light bulb appears as calm continuous light, while a neon lamp dissolves into flickering pixels. The architect and owner of an atelier on the main square captures still images and transforms them into moving paintings made of light. "Capture my soul that I saw there," the 66-year-old describes his artistic mission.
Local officials have praised Staudinger's contribution to regional culture. Mayor Dominic Litzka enthusiastically states: "Manfred is an ambassador for our city. He carries our Wolkersdorf out into the world—and brings the world back to us." Lower Austrian Parliament President Karl Wilfing, who serves as Staudinger's mentor, adds: "My creative friend has not only implemented 219 projects—he has shaped the cultural self-confidence of the Weinviertel region."
This fall, art enthusiasts can admire Staudinger's works at two venues: Wolkersdorf Castle and the gallery in ATELIERstaudinger. The comprehensive exhibition features 120 works, supplemented by landscapes, water worlds, and drawings. The display also includes a 23-minute film composed of 350 images, with sound provided by Brother Gerhard. As Parliament President Wilfing notes: "From Times Square via Shanghai to Seville—Staudinger is an artist who captures the light of the world and gives it back to his homeland."
The official opening reception is scheduled for September 12 at 7 PM at Wolkersdorf Castle. Beyond his global photography work, Staudinger has also focused on preserving local heritage. In his atelier, he has uncovered Gothic wall paintings, and over 16 years, he meticulously restored his own 14th-century house in Wolkersdorf's city center, which has now become a showcase project demonstrating his commitment to both contemporary art and historical preservation.
