A chilling story unfolds here at Frau* Schafft Raum. This unassuming building on Nussdorfer Strasse 4 in Vienna holds a dark secret. It was once a tobacconist shop. In 2021 a 35-year-old woman the shop owner was tragically murdered by her ex-partner. He set her on fire. She died from her severe burns.
Frau* Schafft Raum which translates to Women* create Space is more than just a building. It’s a testament to resilience a powerful symbol against violence against women. This feminist art space was established in December 2023. It stands as Vienna’s first of its kind. District leader Saya Ahmad and her deputy Christian Sapetschnig spearheaded this initiative. They envisioned a space of remembrance solidarity and prevention.
The transformation of this former tobacconist shop into Frau* Schafft Raum is remarkable. Architect Laura Frediani and her studio FREDIANA.studio masterfully blended the old and the new. The original facade has been meticulously restored. It reflects a historical continuity. Yet modern interventions in steel glass and white canvas add a lightness. This contrasts beautifully with the heaviness of the 19th-century walls.
Notice the original aluminum handle. It’s still there. It bears the marks of countless hands. These hands once frequented this informal meeting place in the Grätzl neighborhood. The handle now connects the building’s past to its present. It guides visitors from the busy street into the quiet interior. The handle’s sheen reflects the city the people and the art. It creates a whole new perspective.
Frau* Schafft Raum isn’t just about the past. It’s about the future. It offers a flexible space. It fosters dialogue on the position of women. The space hosts regular exhibitions. The exhibitions focus on femicide and violence against women. The exhibitions aim to promote solidarity and empowerment. They’re open from 8 am to 8 pm daily. The exhibitions even use the space symbolically as a blank canvas for artists.
The plasterwork subtly recalls the cruelty of the act that took place here. It’s a silent yet powerful reminder. The clarity of the surfaces however sublimates that violence. It creates an abstract space. The space represents a fresh start a place where art and activism intersect.
Today Frau* Schafft Raum is a beacon of hope. It’s a modern monument against violence. It’s a vibrant meeting spot. The space is a place of memory solidarity and prevention. It serves as a multifaceted platform for crucial conversations. This small space on Nussdorfer Strasse 4 has been reborn. It has become a symbol of strength resilience and the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Vienna.