"Truth is Concrete" Graz, Austria

The pansy above was planted to mark the first anti-gay protest in Graz. A film deemed to be pro-gay which had premiered in Berlin was protested against in Graz, the building now houses Merker; an Austrian insurance company which is interestingly one of the first companies in Austria to openly support gay rights.

I have just returned from Graz in Austria, where I was invited to attend Steirischer Herbst an annual festival in Graz, Austria: “Truth is concrete” was an element of this with a 24/7 marathon camp on artistic strategies in politics and political strategies in art. 21/09 – 28/09/2012. Do have a look at their website and explore the other great artists and activities that are happening there. click HERE.

The pansy above was planted as close as possible to Graz town hall. Since the legalisation of civil partnerships the authorities have insisted that gay ceremonies are hosted in what are described as inferior rooms. The gay couples are also discouraged from publicly celebrating their ‘marriages’. This is in stark contrast to the facilities supplied to heterosexual couples using the town hall for the same purposes. This pansy was placed in a hole made from a loose cobble, the next morning the pansy had been removed and the hole filled. I am sure this was not in any way a homophobic act; it is more likely to be a display of an efficient procedure to repair loose cobbles; which are known in Graz as dumplings.

I was asked to speak at “Truth is Concrete” about The Pansy Project also on the program was Guerrilla Gardener and author Richard Reynolds alongside Katherine Ball who was/is inhabiting the ‘Blog Tower’ during the festival. The talk raised some interesting questions regarding the nature of our varying strategies and it was interesting to publicly speak with Richard Reynolds in this context of activism and politics as we were able to examine and explore our common ground. "Truth is Concrete” also invited participants of the festival to accompany me around Graz planting pansies at the site of homophobia, a large group joined Richard Reynolds and I planting pansies and discussing The Pansy Project, Guerilla Gardening and Graz. There is a selection of photos on Flickr documenting the tour click here to see them, there will be more coverage to follow.

Christoph Hartner indicating our next location

As is the norm, my intention was to plant pansies at the site of homophobic abuse, there was however a lack of information regarding high profile homophobic attacks. Thankfully I was contacted by Christoph Hartner who was able to research particular locations of historical significance in Graz through his contacts from the area. What was garnered was a selection of locations of historical and autobiographical significance. As ever, the strategy of planting pansies acts as a symbolic proposition in cities that I visit only briefly. What I leave is a memory of the action; some pansies may survive, though on this occasion one pansy has already been removed and paved over; perhaps a comment on Graz’s efficiency rather than a comment on the nature of The Pansy Project.

The pansy above was planted at Caritas which is a catholic funded organisation that dismisses employees who are discovered to be gay.

The pansy above was planted in Volksgarten, the public convenience was a well-known cruising location during the fifties and was frequently targeted by police who were allegedly heavy handed and aggressive in the policing of the site and area.

The pansy above was planted by Christoph Hartner at a site of homophobia he experienced after speaking at university on gay issues. A fellow student had told him he thought homosexuality was a sickness. (photo courtesy of Christoph Hartner)

And in other news, I've started The Pansy Project 'Like' page. do go and 'like' it if you're able. It seems that Facebook are making groups less attractive, so this might just be the ticket. I added the above picture to try and generate some support please do share and like. Thank You as ever for your support. As ever my research continues, which is, as you may remember continuing to develop The Pansy Project Publication which is slowly coming together. Announcements and news will follow soon.