"Weisser Fleck" - an artistic research project by IKA, INTK, and the Dusts Institute
Weißer Fleck (Blind Spot) is an innovative artistic research project that is now on display on the façade of a Gemeindebau in Heiligenstadt, Vienna. This project is a long term collaborative effort (since 2021) between the Insitute for Art and Architecture, the Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts and The Dusts Institute. It represents an intersection of artistic research, architecture, and geomicrobiology. The project was supported by KÖR and is an integral part of the research at Academy under the title 'Epidermitecture'.
Weisser Fleck is an artistic intervention, living artwork, a scientific experiment, and a conceptual provocation for urban maintenance practices. The project consists of ‘drawing’ a 10-meter diameter circle on the façade of a housing block in Vienna by removing the thin layer of microoganisms that occupy the surface of the building. The aim is to highlight the existence of this biopatina, demonstrate its benefits to urban life, and challenge our current maintenance protocols for city surfaces.
The project questions what the outer surfaces of buildings need to look like in an age of climate crisis and why,” says Adam Hudec (co-author of the project). “By removing biopatina from a single building, we aim to show why these microorganisms should be embraced rather than erased, encouraging a shift from a cleanliness-based model of urban care to one that values biodiversity and resilience.”
Institute for Art and Architecture: Michelle Howard, Adam Hudec
Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts: Katja Sterflinger, Laura Rabbachin
About the Dusts Institute: The Dusts Institute is dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between human activities and the environment. Through interdisciplinary research, immersive installations, and public engagement, the institute aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and drive transformative change towards a more sustainable future. The project Weißer Fleck is part of Epidermitecture an artistic research initiative at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, led by professors Michelle Howard and Katja Sterflinger.