Pictures at an Exhibition (German: Bilder einer Ausstellung) is a 1996 Austrian documentary film by Ulrich Seidl. The 45-minute television film was produced by Lotus-Film GesmbH on behalf of ORF and WDR. It was first broadcast on ORF on 17 December 1996 as part of the television series Kunst-Stücke.[1][2]
| Pictures at an Exhibition | |
|---|---|
| Bilder einer Ausstellung | |
| Directed by | Ulrich Seidl |
| Written by | Ulrich Seidl |
| Produced by | Erich Lackner |
| Cinematography | Peter Zeitlinger |
| Edited by | Walter Andreas Christen |
Release date |
|
Running time | 45 minutes |
| Country | Austria |
| Language | German |
Synopsis
editThe film focuses on visitors to exhibitions, galleries and museums. They speak about modern and contemporary art, about paintings, objects, installations and performances. Seidl is less interested in art-historical explanation than in the personal interpretations of the viewers. Conversations about art develop into reflections on everyday life, worldviews, dreams, fears, sexuality and death.[3][4]
Production
editThe film was written and directed by Ulrich Seidl. It was produced by Erich Lackner for Lotus-Film GesmbH. Peter Zeitlinger served as cinematographer, and Walter Andreas Christen edited the film. Ekkehart Baumung was responsible for sound. Research and assistant direction were carried out by Veronika Franz, who later became Seidl's co-writer and artistic collaborator.[1]
The credited performers and interviewees include Erich Finsches, Marie Kern, M. C. Kreindl, Hubert Fabian Kulterer, Barbara Paukner, Peter Reiser and René Rupnik.[1] During the research for Pictures at an Exhibition, Seidl discovered Erich Finsches and René Rupnik, who later appeared in several of his other films, including Dog Days, Der Busenfreund (The Bosom Friend) and Paradise: Faith.[1][4]
Release
editPictures at an Exhibition was first broadcast on ORF on 17 December 1996 as part of the series Kunst-Stücke.[2] In 2017, the film was shown theatrically for the first time at the Diagonale, together with Seidl's television work The Bosom Friend. The screening marked the release of the DVD box set Ulrich Seidl: Alle Filme 1980–2017 / Complete Works.[4]
Reception
editThe film received the Austrian Popular Education Award, also known as the Television Award of Austrian Adult Education, in the documentary category for 1996.[3][5] The jury emphasized that Seidl did not have works of art explained through expert language, but instead showed the effects contemporary art produced in its viewers. It also highlighted the programme's wit, irony and dramaturgical tension.[2]
Awards
editExternal links
edit- Bilder einer Ausstellung at Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion
- Bilder einer Ausstellung at Lotus-Film
- Bilder einer Ausstellung in the Diagonale film archive
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Bilder einer Ausstellung". Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Ulrich Seidl – Bilder einer Ausstellung // 1997". Medienpreise der Erwachsenenbildung. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Bilder einer Ausstellung". Lotus-Film. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Bilder einer Ausstellung". Diagonale – Filmarchiv. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 "PreisträgerInnen seit 1967" (PDF). Medienpreise der Erwachsenenbildung. Retrieved 1 June 2026.