In my semester project, I am focusing on a grey area of living in Vienna: the allotment gardens. The original idea behind these gardens was self-sufficiency, while also providing an affordable place for the whole family to relax. A green spot within the city is more desirable than ever today, but also hard to come by.
However, the original sense of community is often overshadowed by strict regulations on the height of hedges and grass blades, and the idea of a divided green space in the city feels relatively exclusive to me, the atmosphere rather separated and cold. This raises the question for me: does one actually want to be here and spend time? Do I want to be here? Or is the idyllic appearance deceiving?
The unpleasant beeping of ultrasonic animal repellers is—at least to me—audible across garden escapes; in several cities, this tactic is used to deliberately keep young people away from public spaces, which works well because the frequency becomes inaudible beyond a certain age.
This series was created as part of the cooperative project "WIE WIR (NICHT) LEBEN" with Arbeiterkammer Vienna.
As part of the eponymous urban exhibition, which was on view from June 26 to September 1, 2024, at various locations across Vienna, GARTENFREUNDE was presented at Kollektiv Kaorle in 1160 Vienna.