16 November 2007 – 2 March 2008

ETHER, GOD & EVIL – NOCTURNAL THOUGHTS ON THE SPIRIT OF W.R.

An Oz Almog art installation on Wilhelm Reich

“A JOURNEY WITH MR REICH AND OZ ALMOG THROUGH THE GATES OF HELL” is the title given by the Austrian-Israeli artist to his exhibition, which is running parallel to the Reich documentation in the side gallery on the 2nd floor of the Museum. Wilhelm Reich began in the late 1930s to conduct biophysical experiments to investigate the body’s own energy (orgone). In his search for a comprehensive theory to explain human soul/body functions this acclaimed clinical psychotherapist entered into the region of marginal esoteric science. Phenomena called “electrosmog” today led the eccentric scientist to believe in the existence of “orgone”, a belief that is still to be confirmed scientifically today. Reich’s work, which went beyond the bounds of the categories recognised by the scientific world, was generally frowned upon. Faith and inspiration rather than strict methodology led Reich into increasingly bizarre regions, culminating in an energy converter and weather machine called the “cloud buster”. Reich’s heirs today form a fanatic and often esoterically inspired fan community. Spin-offs from Reich’s concepts include orgone horse blankets, which can be ordered on the Internet. Wilhelm Reich’s imaginative theories inspired the concept artist Oz Almog, whose subjective and dramatic presentation focuses on the public impact of Reich’s constructs and concepts – Reich as an exile, animated by his convictions, swimming undeterred against the scientific mainstream. Oz Almog sees Wilhelm Reich as his Virgil, leading him through the gates of Hell. In this idiosyncratic artistic confrontation the “spirit researcher” Reich is interpreted, glorified and attacked using striking visual effects. Wilhelm Reich, the cult figure, icon and creator of a pseudo-scientific Disneyland, is put by the artist in a psychedelic spotlight that reveals him, his essence and his ambitions in a new and unusual way.

Address

Jüdisches Museum - Wien
Dorotheergasse 11
1010 Wien
phone +43 1 535 04 31
http://www.jmw.at

Opening Hours

Sunday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday till 8 p.m., closed on Saturday.

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