Warten auf Vögel Sculpture

How many birdhouses does it take to make a sculpture? Here at the Warten auf Vögel sculpture, the answer is 99. Josef Bernhardt’s Warten auf Vögel, which translates to “Waiting for Birds,” isn’t your typical artwork. It’s a collection of meticulously crafted birdhouses perched atop stainless steel poles. This installation, right here in Vienna’s 3rd district, invites us to contemplate our relationship with nature. The Warten auf Vögel sculpture was first erected in 2009. This version we see before us is a re-installation from 2017. Each of the 99 birdhouses is painted with glazing paint on larch wood. They are all identical in size, measuring 225 cm tall and 14×14 cm wide. The arrangement of these birdhouses isn’t random. They’re arranged in a grid-like pattern, a stark contrast to the natural world they’re intended for. This deliberate placement, amidst the urban hustle and bustle, raises questions about how nature adapts to human-made environments. Will birds actually nest in these boxes, surrounded by traffic and human activity? Bernhardt’s work often features this ironic juxtaposition. He blends seemingly rational, regular elements with emotionally irregular components. This highlights the absurdity of how humans interact with nature in the Anthropocene era. Warten auf Vögel isn’t merely about providing homes for birds. It’s a commentary on our impact on the natural world, a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental preservation. The Vienna Municipal Department of Cultural Affairs maintains the Warten auf Vögel sculpture. This ensures that it remains a fixture in the urban landscape. A thought-provoking testament to our complex relationship with nature, waiting for birds that may or may not come.