New Media Talk Series #44 | Gudrun Wallenböck
Hinterland
May 21,2007
6 pm
New Media Projects
Gudrun Wallenböck is the founder and artistic director of hinterland galerie based in Vienna. hinterland galerie is an independent art space and platform dedicated to the promotion of intercultural and interdisciplinary projects with emerging and established artists from the Middle East with a focus on Iran. She is also the founder of hinterland design and co-founder of sitios – a global network on urban solutions for public space. She has been part of the project and program team for 2 European Capital of Europe (2003 Graz, 2009 Linz). Since 2009 she is working as a curator and designer for international and intercultural projects. Gudrun Wallenböck holds a Master´s degree in Architecture from Technical University in Graz, Austria and a Master´s degree in cultural management from SMBS, Austria. She is currently writing her Ph.D. on “cross-cultural curation” at the University of Arts (MdW) in Vienna, Austria. She is also part of the advisory board of the SIMORGH Foundation based in Vienna and Tehran.
hinterland was founded in 2009 – a label for art and fashion. The Hinterland label is born from within a unique environment of design, architecture, and art. Contemplation of space is reflected in the textiles of these typically idyllic Austrian motifs. Panoramic views of the Alps, apple blossoms and traffic mirrors in vineyards are truly eye-catching. The beauty of the rural idyll embraces the stereotype and breaks it at the same time. The Hinterland collection is completely made by hand and is a high-quality collection which is produced only in Austria.
With the presentation of „walking skirts“(a virtual kind of fashion show) hinterland was invited to Iran in 2010. Since then Gudrun Wallenböck started working with Iran and its art scene. In 2011 hinterland nonprofit association (Verein) was founded. HINTERLAND is an independent art space and platform dedicated to the promotion of intercultural and interdisciplinary projects with emerging and established artists from the Middle East with a focus on Iran. HINTERLAND is an international meeting point where social, cultural, political, creative and other relevant contemporary topics are discussed and put into practice.
In 2014 Gudrun Wallenböck renovated and reconstructed the former hinterland shop into a proper gallery. Since then hinterland galerie was officially separated from hinterland fashion and art. (A new logo, new website, new graphic design etc…)
Hinterland curates and hosts between 8-14 exhibitions a year at the gallery in Vienna. Since 2010 there is also the Krongarten in front of the door (designed by an artist each year). Hinterland team now consists of Gudrun Wallenböck and 4 – students (art history, communication and oriental studies) and international partners.
Main projects have already been realized between Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Pakistan. In September hinterland launches the first cooperation with Morocco.