Does this ring-shaped table look violently torn? This is the Denkmal Kunsthistorisches Institut. It stands as a stark reminder of a dark chapter in Vienna’s academic history. We are standing in Hof 9 on the University of Vienna campus. Here lies a memorial. It commemorates those scholars of the Kunsthistorisches Institut who were ostracized. They were forced to emigrate or were murdered between 1933 and 1945.
The Denkmal Kunsthistorisches Institut memorial was unveiled in 2008. Hans Buchwald, an American art historian and architect, created it. The idea originated with Wolfgang Georg Fischer, an Austrian writer and art expert. The memorial isn’t just a sculpture. It’s a space you can walk through and contemplate. It takes the form of a dysfunctional table. It is violently split into two parts. This represents the fractured lives and careers of those persecuted.
Look closely at the chairs around the table. Some are close to the table. Others are loosely arranged. Some places seem ready for occupants. However, some spots will remain forever empty. A glass plate bridges the gap between the table’s two halves. It bears the names of 72 people affected. These are the scholars identified at the time of the memorial’s creation. See the names: Frederick Antal, Gertrud Bamberger, Otto Benesch and many more. Each name represents a life interrupted. Each signifies a contribution lost to the world.
At the heart of the Denkmal Kunsthistorisches Institut, a newly planted Blauglockenbaum stands tall. The Blauglockenbaum symbolizes hope. It represents the possibility of new growth and remembrance. The memorial serves as a focal point for reflection.
In conjunction with the memorial’s unveiling, an exhibition titled “Wiener Kunstgeschichte gesichtet” opened at the Kunsthistorisches Institut. Students conducted extensive research. They explored the names and biographies of those affected. This work aimed to give faces back to the names. It also revealed the personal stories behind the persecution.
Another exhibition followed in 2010. It was titled “Ausgegrenzt, Vertrieben, Ermordet”. It highlighted the biographies of art history students expelled in 1938. They were not named on the memorial itself. The Denkmal Kunsthistorisches Institut is not static. It is an evolving project. The findings are available online.
In November 2021, a light installation named “Lichtung” by Tim Schmelzer illuminated the Denkmal. It cast the memorial in a new light. The Denkmal Kunsthistorisches Institut also commemorates those unnamed. It remembers all other persecuted members of the University of Vienna.
The Denkmal Kunsthistorisches Institut is a potent symbol of remembrance. It is a place to reflect on the consequences of intolerance and the importance of academic freedom. Take a moment to reflect on the lives commemorated here. Remember the lessons of history.