The exhibition “PETITION” at the Salzburger Kunstverein explored artistic practices as an interface to a world in which nature is constructed as an idea and threatened by humanity’s actions. Our reality and hence, inevitably, the engagement with art are shaped by the defining traits of the contemporary social, political, and ecological situation. That is most readily apparent in practices that are informed by the desire for change.

Not unlike a petition—which, as the case may be, can be an imploring plea, an irate remonstration, or a mere memorandum noting a grievance—works by nine artists articulate their concerns in protest, documentation, contemplation, or magic ritual.

With works by Johannes Gierlinger, Matthias Krinzinger, Catherine Ludwig, Luiza Margan, Maria Morschitzky, Paul Spendier, Gabriele Sturm, Borjana Ventzislavova, and Daniela Zeilinger