Um-Chi-Im e Je-Sul – The Art of Movement

2003

Thomas Lorenz
Christopher Lindinger (AT)
Dietmar Offenhuber (AT)
Robert Abt (AT)
Volker Christian
Andreas Mäule
Erwin Reitböck (AT)
Andreas Riedler (AT)

Anyone who believes that an elevator is simply a convenient way to move up and down in a building without physical exertion is simply mistaken. A lift is not only an exact form of interplay of mechanical and electronic components; here, it’s also the resident domain of fantastic creatures that are made visible for all to see in the museum elevator at the Ars Electronica Center.

Without technological aids, human beings have certain difficulties moving about in three-dimensional space. To overcome these limitations, mankind has built airplanes, space shuttles, submarines—and, indeed, elevators. The space that is created thereby—the elevator shaft—becomes an arena for two Manga warriors in Andreas Mäule’s installation. They must battle their way up and down the shaft and, while doing so, prevent a Chinese vase from falling to certain doom.

The installation “Um-Chi-Im e Je-Sul – The Art of Movement” was created in conjunction with the “Elevated Space” seminar presented at the Casino IT/DP workshop held by the University of Stuttgart’s Department of Urban Planning and Architecture, and the Visual Culture module offered by the Technical University of Vienna’s Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning in cooperation with the Ars Electronica Futurelab. “Um-Chi-Im e Je-Sul – The Art of Movement” was chosen as the best work and as the new standard installation for the Ars Electronica Center’s museum elevator.