Where we come from is a matter of chance, and yet it has a lasting impact on us. Our origin can give us support or be a burden. Those who want to or have to escape it often return to their own roots one day. This special exhibition tells of growing up, leaving and returning, of remembering and reinventing ourselves. A gallery of things presents personal objects that connect writers with their origins. Whether an analogue tube television, a copper bracelet from the Congo or an Iranian passport – our origins show themselves in things, and it is also of these objects, which are as ordinary as they are extraordinary, and always poignant, that literature speaks.
The exhibition focuses on stories of origins in Austrian literature from the 20th century to the present day, with international perspectives rounding out the spectrum: How are social origins, economic inequality and class portrayed? What role do migration and multilingualism play in literature? What family relationships do we encounter in the texts?
Manuscripts, personal documents, artistic works, film and audio examples address growing up, breaking away and returning, remembering and reinventing oneself. A ‘gallery of things’ presents personal items that authors associate with their origins.
The extent to which images, family photos and snapshots shape our memories of our origins is shown vividly by numerous private photographs, found photos by Arno Geiger, Polaroids by Peter Handke, Super 8 films by French writer Annie Ernaux and photo collages by Canadian artist Sandy Middleton.
The exhibition invites the visitor to explore the many stories of origins in literature and perhaps also to reflect on their own origins. Because origins affect us all.
Curated by Cornelius Mitterer and Kerstin Putz
The accompanying book to the exhibition, published by Zsolnay Verlag, is available for EUR 29.90 at the Literature Museum service desk and in bookshops.
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