Artwork „Tür+Tor“ in the area of the „Black Gate“ at Schloss Grafenegg
2010
Redevelopment + Extension
The wall that surrounds the park of Schloss Grafenegg dates in part from the 18th century. Part of this wall is the Baroque Schwarzes Tor (Black Gate), through which X. Müllner, who was sentenced to death in 1856, was led to the place of execution. Before taking his final walk Müllner was kept in a dungeon in Schloss Grafenegg. The dogs Queeny and Tipsy also lived in this house and were laid to rest in the park.
The artwork “Tür+Tor” is dedicated to these three and forms the boundary between “underdogs”, privileged people, life, death, and territories. The sculptural artwork is fitted between the surviving parts of the “Black Gate”.
A concrete plinth was built to a height of 1.20 metres and functions as a bench seat and a flight of steps. Highly fired tiles, some of them coloured, were laid in this bench. On top of the bench foundation a brick wall was built up to a height of 3.20 metres – in it there is a door opening and a round central aperture (diameter 20 cm).
A functional metal door was mounted in the door opening and homemade, highly fired ceramic panels were inserted in the brick wall. Barbed wire fixed to iron stakes embedded in the top of the wall forms the crowning element.
