Dieter Pasching, May 7th 2022, at event hall of “Club der Wiener Musikerinnen”. ディーター パッシング 2022年5月7日 「ウィーン女流音楽家同好会」の催しにて
Yesterday there was a jubilee event of 120 years “National Council of Women Austria” at “Club der Wiener Musikerinnen”. My husband and I are members of “Club der Wiener Musikerinnen”. That is a club for Vienna women musicians originally founded in 1886 by Rosa Lutz. Today this club is a member organisation of the National Council of Women Austria and therefore the jubilee event was held here. When we hear the name of this club, one might think it is for women only but men participating is not a problem at all. Mostly members deepen their knowledge or play music for the existence of women musicians and to intensify their feeling of independence is deemed important. The current president Eleonore Hauer-Rona asked my husband to read some words of greeting as well as some excerpts from historic transcripts of speeches. I think it was an event where the Club’s slogan “Women and men together” was indeed a good fit.
She always dresses chic, mostly in black and goes for walks with her small black dog. She is a mysteriously elegant lady, people often see her but nobody knows who she is. That is why people call them “Donna Nera and Nero”. In the beautiful month of May we will often see Donna Nera and Nero resting on the lawn. (Sold)
There is a new art object at Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz in the 6th district of Vienna. That is a small square in front of Haus des Meeres (Aquarium). The object is made of wood, was designed by Bianca Gamser and is called “Still Frieden (Still Peace)”. In order to talk about it, one has to first talk about Haus des Meeres. As I have mentioned, across the street from this object is Haus des Meeres.
That building was originally not an aquarium from the beginning but rather an anti aircraft cannon tower of Nazi Germany during the Second World War. The war ended but unfortunately this building could not easily be demolished because of its extraordinary material strength. Therefore it began to be used as an aquarium. In 1991 the uppermost part of the external wall was painted with a design by the American artist Lawrence Weiner showing the words “Smashed to pieces – In the still of the night”. 2019 because there was a new restaurant constructed on the roof, it was decided to change the words on the fassade.
Now we return to the art object by Bianca Gamser. Her object reminds us of Lawrence Weiner’s words. Not visible from the outside, one has to enter in order to see those words. On the uppermost parts of the inside walls these words can be seen as a mirror image. Standing inside the object is basically the same as standing inside Haus des Meeres. Since the words were written outside on the fassade, inside the object it becomes a mirror image. That means the wood surrounds the building and makes an impression from the outside. You can think of it like a stamp. I think that it is quite purposeful and carries multi faceted meaning. The object will be on display until June 26th 2022.
ウィーン6区のフリッツ グリューンバウム広場に新しいオブジェが建ちました。「Haus des Meeres 海の家（水族館）」のすぐ前の小さな広場です。この木製のオブジェはビアンカ ガムザー女史（Bianca Gamser）の作品で、「Still Frieden（静 平和）」という題です。この作品について語る前に、すぐ前に建つ「海の家」について書かねばなりません。
この建物は初めから水族館であったのではなく、元は第二次世界大戦中に、敵の爆撃機を攻撃するために、ナチスドイツ軍が建てたものです。大戦は終わりましたが、この建物はあまりにも頑丈に造られていたため、撤去が不可能となったのです。そのため、水族館として再使用されているのです。1991年に、この外壁の上部に、アメリカの芸術家ロレンス ワイナー氏（Lawrence Weiner） によって、”Smashed to pieces – In the still of the night（粉々に叩き壊された – 夜の静けさの中に）”という文章が記されました。しかし、2019年、最上階にレストランが開業した際、この文章は他の言葉に変えられたのです。
Entrance to the object. オブジェの入り口Sign next to the entrance. 入り口横にあるインフォメーションLooking out of the entrance from the inside. 中に入り振り返った時の景観Looking up from inside 中から上を見上げるHaus des Meeres behind the trees. 木々の向こうが「海の家」Haus des Meeres seen from Mariahilferstrasse (Nelkengasse). マリアヒルフ通り（ネルケン通り） から見た「海の家」Sign at Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz. The writing says that he was a popular comedian and a victim of the Holocaust. Kabarett in German speaking countries is like standup Comedy. Always his art of humour, satire, irony, etc. is held in high regard. That such a popular person had to perish under such inhumane cirumstances breaks my heart. 「フリッツ グリューンバウム広場」の看板。 下の看板には、フリッツ グリューンバウムがコメディアンで、 ホロコーストの犠牲者であったことが記されています。 コメディは、いつの時代も、 そのユーモアや風刺や皮肉などによって、 重要な役割をもつ芸術のひとつ。 ウィーンの人々の人気者だったコメディアンが、 非人間的な扱いの中、亡くなったことを思うと、 胸が張り裂けそうになります。
Here in Vienna the weather is constantly changing right now. One day itis quite beautiful, rainy the next day and the temperature also has significant swings. That should not be considered unusual however because there is a saying here in Austria that April weather is very unstable. Only recently there have been unusual weather patterns maybe due to climate change and it has not been as the common saying states. I should actually be happy that this April has typical weather patterns. When I cannot adapt to the changes, I want to listen to the Beatles song “Rain” in my head. “Rain, I don’t mind. Shine, the weather’s fine…”.
Seating benches at Museumsquartier have turned orange this season. 美術館エリア（MQ）のベンチが いつの間にかオレンジ色になってましたNew sign at construction site of Loquaiplatz depicting how the park will look once finished. I look forward to the completion. 工事中のロクヴァイ公園に新しく看板が立てられました。 改装後のイメージの絵を見ることができます。 完成が待ち遠しいです。
Yesterday in Vienna it was quite beautiful weather. Daytime maximum was just over 20 degrees Celsius and the sun was shining brightly. After a long time I went for a walk to Burggarten and it was already in full Spring season.
Bees coming to the open blossoms and working diligently. 開いた花の中で蜂が熱心に働いています。People relaxing. リラックスする人々Juicy young greens. 滴るような新緑A large tree provides cozy shade. 心地よい日陰は大きな木の賜物ですBeautiful flowers in a flowerbed. 花壇の美しい花
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, April 14th 2022 in Vienna
Now the Magnolias at Loquaiplatz are in full bloom. ロクヴァイ広場の木蓮が満開ですSign at one entrance to Loquaiplatz. ロクヴァイ公園の入り口の立て札
Yesterday I wrote that Loquaipark in the 6th district of Vienna is now being renewed. After writing yesterday’s post I read on the internet that not only is the park space being renewed but also the name might possibly be changed. As shown in the picture above, the square including the park is named after Ferdinand Loquai, who was the head of the 6th district. However because of his antisemitic past, there are people arguing that a public space in Vienna should not carry his name. Therefore right now this matter is being discussed and the name of this square might possibly changed or alternatively the name remains but with a sign clearly stating his antisemitic past.
Directly at Loquaiplatz there used to be a Synagogue. It is written on this commemorative plaque that the Synagogue was destroyed during “Reichskristallnacht” November 10th, 1938. ロクヴァイ広場のすぐ前の建物の側面。 ここには、かつてシナゴーグがあり、 1938年11月10日の「ライヒスクリスタルの夜」に 破壊されたと記されていますOn the opposite side of the building seen in the picture above, there is a streetlight. When it is dark, looking up from standing directly underneath, a star of David shines its light. 前の写真の建物の別の側面前に立つ街灯。 夜、真下から見上げると、 闇の中にダヴィデの星が輝きます。Walking around in Vienna, quite often one can find those small squares on the street. Each metal square features names and dates of their lives. They are Jewish victims of the Second World War. Those people used to live at the location of those metal squares and were deported. I always am mindful and for their honour take great care not to step on those squares. ウィーンの街を歩くと、 しばしば地面にこのような小さな四角い碑を見かけます。 それぞれの碑に名前と、 その方の生存していた期間が記されています。 この方々は、第二次世界大戦中、 それぞれの名前の刻まれている場所の付近に住んでいて、 強制連行され、命を落とされたユダヤ人です。 私はその方々の尊厳のため、 上を歩かないように気を付けています。
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, April 9th, 2022 in Vienna.
The park at Loquaiplatz in the 6th district in Vienna is now closed for renewal works. I heard that soon this space would be renewed and apparently now it has started. Very often I passed by when talking a walk and since I knew many bushes and trees, it is kind of sad to say goodbye to some of them. Buddhism teaches us that everything is in constant change. I should look forward to this park reopening in new splendor. In order to not let the loss of those disappeared plants to be in vain, we thank them and wish for it to become a beautful park.
Today’s weather was the opposite of yesterday, it was quite nice weather. The temperature was still a little cold but it is supposed to get warmer every day. The paused Spring can finally resume.
People walking somewhat bent over due to cold sleet. 冷たいみぞれに身を縮めて歩く人々
Even though cherries are blossoming here in Vienna it suddenly got colder. The sky is grey and yesterday afternoon there was sleet all of a sudden. Due to unexpected bad weather some people did not carry an umbrella and bent over a little walking in a hurry on the street. I presume plants were taken by surprise too. Hopefully nice weather will come back soon.
Mariahilferstrasse Vienna is a well-known shopping street. Even though it was a Saturday afternoon not many people were around because of cold sleet. 買い物で有名なウィーンのマリアヒルフ通り。 土曜の午後というのに、突然のみぞれに、 人通りが少ないです。
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, April 2nd, 2022 in Vienna.
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