ARTWALK Böhmischer Prater - Das Lot

An Artistic Audio Walk through the Bohemian Prater

Focus: Exploitation & Pleasure, "Brick Bohemians" & Showman Families

In our second ARTWALK, the "Bohemian Prater" with its charming turn-of-the-century flair and quirky character became the protagonist: a legendary microcosm on the outskirts of the city that functions like a peep box into another time. What began in 1882 with Franz Bauer setting up a swing, serving predominantly Bohemian "sandlers" (day laborers) as a respite from their mostly inhumane work in the brick factories, is still, in part, home to resident showman families today. The starting point for our research was the tension-filled encounter between pleasure and exploitation. On one side, the delightfully nostalgic world of carousels, showman stalls, and bumper cars; on the other, the green Laaerwald with its former brick ponds and its forgotten past.

Nothing remains to remind us of the tormented "Brick Bohemians," who, six days a week, under sometimes inhumane working conditions, produced the bricks for the grand buildings of Vienna's Ringstrasse, and on the seventh day were expected to "relax" in the company-owned canteens. Shrewd stall owners, innkeepers, a singing housemaid, and a barrel organ-playing amateur historian opened our eyes to the blind spots of history. Following their accounts and anecdotes, we, together with artists, have brought our research to life and made it accessible in an audio walk: the past was brought to life, and the present became history. A cross-disciplinary experiential journey through one of the city's most peculiar places.

Tickets:

• Reduced: €18 for students up to 16 years old, tour guides, and holders of IG cards (visual arts, independent theaters)
• Regular: €25
• Support: €30

There is a limited number of tickets available per performance for Kulturpass holders. Please send an email to office@lot.wien for this. First come, first served.