Attention: Not to be found in architectural guides of Graz

In Graz, architecture – more precisely, contemporary architecture – exists in a density and variety that eclipses even some other European metropolises. Who once was here, comes again and gets to see through us, local professional guides, more of the hidden peculiarities that cannot be found in an architectural guidebook. A certain church, for example. Do not worry, though: we do not want to convert you or commit you to an inner retreat. We only want to show you a Baroque gem which is decorated with contemporary art.

But watch out: it was not for decoration in the traditional sense that the priest Hermann Glettler devoted himself for over 15 years to the beautification of his parish – it was about more than that. “To deal with contemporary art is a form of hospitality in which our Catholic Church is inspired by its origins,” says the priest, who is also an art historian. The Church of St. Andrä is not treated as an exhibition space, but as a spiritually defined space of God and the people, where artistic interventions are meant to open up a dialogue. “Art provokes attention”.

And, as the French writer and philosopher Simone Weil said, attention is another word for holiness.

Some say it is just about irritating the visitor

It could be so, for example, with the many enigmatic terms written in different colors, fonts and sizes on the façades and the church tower. A work by the Graz artist Gustav Troger reproduces in the outside walls of the church some terms which were assigned to individual shades in the Adler company color catalog, in order to illustrate them. In a community with a high proportion of migrants, the pastor says that, when a person pauses and starts to think about what “Arabian nights” could mean, much has already been achieved.

If those people are not Catholic, they are nevertheless invited to the Church. Just like the African community, which celebrates a fair with gospel music on Sundays, making the windows clink. In fact, there are many new windows and each is designed by a well-known artist. It’s very poetic: knocking on heaven’s door. Poetic and cheerful, irritating as well as stimulating, all these art forms create a framework for a brief stop in the hectic gearing of the city. Nothing detracts the visitor from contemplation. Nothing apart from thinking how to swing with the chain carousel dangling high up from the church ship, light and airy and unique, just as the atmosphere one feels in this house of God.

Text: Karin Tschavgova, from Architektouren Graz, Guiding Architects’ member in Graz and Ljubljana

First image: Chapel painting entitled “Raumzeichnung”, by Otto Zitko. Copyright: Bertl Mütter.

www.heimsath.com/sacred-space-holy-place/modern-art-in-graz-transforms-baroque-church