Hardly any jazz standard has been interpreted as often as "Autumn Leaves", a song that is about love, transience and the seasons. Floral motifs such as leaves, flowers, branches and blossoms are read in the same way and are also symbols of beauty and decay.
In times of polycrisis, the artistic preoccupation with this theme can seem cynical. However, the motif can also be seen as an empty vessel that artists and viewers can fill with their own interpretations.
The exhibited works by more than 24 renowned Austrian artists are an exploration of a fascinating variety of artistic issues that go far beyond the depiction of pure natural beauty. Time and transience play just as much a role as questions of the artistic construction of nature, the preoccupation with the artistic tradition of this pictorial object, or the examination of the color and form values of flowers and plants in today's world.
In the medium of painting, graphic art, sculpture and installation, the change in meaning and the topicality of this motif is shown: from the examination of color and form to socio-political and gender-specific issues to thinking about being, the environment or new technologies.
The exhibition will be on view at KUNSTHAUS KÖFLACH from September 16 to October 26, 2023.
