April 25, 6.30 pm
Andreas Suttner
«House Squattings: Klagenfurt goes Europe»
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By tracing the history of the housesquatting movement, the Klagenfurt house squattings can be placed within an international as well as a national context. «Access to lawns» in Vienna, «rehab squattings» in Berlin, and the establishment of communication and cultural centers in Linz and Innsbruck were just a few of the many forms of action taken in the course of a New Social Movement that gripped nearly all of Europe in the mid-1970s. The goal of setting up new cultural and communication centers was to counteract the disintegration of social cohesion while simultaneously providing opportunities for grass-roots participation in social and political life. As a self-help-oriented form of action, squatting still serves in the new millennium to claim space for social experiments which is not normally set aside for them in a world dominated by institutions and party politics.
Andreas Suttner born in 1977 in Vienna; doctoral studies in history and political science at the University of Vienna; book author: «Beton Brennt!» Hausbesetzer und Selbstverwaltung im Berlin, Wien und Zürich der 80er, Vienna [et al.] LIT 2011; essays «Das autonome Kultur- und Kommunikationszentrum Gassergasse 1981–83» and «Hausbesetzungen der 80er-Jahre in Österreich» for the exhibition catalogue for «Occupied! The Struggle for Free Spaces since the 1970s» at the Wien Museum starting April 2012; currently doing a masters of science in library and information studies at the Austrian National Library.
Activists from Reitschulgasse 4
Barbara Hartl born in 1958, grew up in Munich, trained as cabinetmaker. From August 1979 participant in «Reitschulgasse» house squatting; in 1980 founding of the music group Firlefanz & Dilettanz, chairman of the association KOMMZ. From 1983 co-founder of the Uniklub until its re-founding as UNIKUM. In parallel, performances as actress (including at KE and Studiobühne Villach). Pro Mente Kärnten (1989–1996), psychotherapist (degree in 1997), work with the homeless (1996–2009); from 2001 work with unemployed persons (abz*austria, Vienna). Since 2009 remodeling coordinator, founding of the music group enfemmes terribles.
Gerhard Pilgram born in 1955 in Klagenfurt; art mediator, author and visual artist. An activist since youth in various autonomous cultural initiatives in Carinthia: 1970 Omnimarkt; 1972/73 Musikforum Viktring; 1972-77 Spielkreis Kärnten; 1973 Kontaktofen; 1978 Wühlwurm; 1979/80 KOMMZ; 1979–1982 Firlefanz & Dilettanz; 1982 Kikiriki; 1983–85 Uni-Club; 1990–2012 IG KIKK. Since 1986 managing director of the UNIKUM university cultural center.
Arnulf Ploder born in 1955 in Graz; living in Carinthia since 1963. In 1979 completed studies in German language & literature and philosophy/pedagogics/ psychology. Teacher at BG/BRG Mössingerstraße in Klagenfurt. Ernst Willner Prize in the Ingeborg Bachmann Competition; in 1988 Literary Award of the State of Carinthia. Since 1975 publications in literary journals and anthologies. 2007 Monologue «Hinter tausend Stäben» was staged by the acting studio at the Carinthian State Conservatory. In 2010 premiere of the drama «Gegenliebe» at neuebuehnevillach.
Angelika Stotz born in 1960 in Klagenfurt; studied commercial graphics at the Austrian Federal Education and Research Institute for Graphics in Vienna. Participated in the music and rich cultural activities at Reitschulgasse. Scenery painter, technical draftswoman, graphic artist, and later employee of the Haltegriff association, which helps long-term unemployed persons re-enter the working world. Mother of three adult children; musician (song, guitar, e-bass).