Claus Prokop: Untitled

Claus Prokop: Untitled

Claus Prokop’s artistic intervention begins with the clock of the district office building and makes use of it as a symbol of the building’s eventful history: built in 1893 and used as an district office until 2019, the building also housed the district court until 1991, to which a prison was attached until 1938. During the Nazi era, this part of the building served as a “Wehrmacht Remand Prison XIX, Döbling branch” (its use following 1945 is unclear). In addition to its chronologically organising function, time also has philosophical qualities and, as a digital display, a modern aesthetic. Following his basic artistic theme of chaos and order, Claus Prokop superimposes an infinite number of clock times in digital layers, defining chaos as a form of order. New forms emerge from this complexity, which he juxtaposes with the historical clock in the foyer. In further abstraction, he develops patterns that seem like contemporary interpretations of historical railings but rupture classical orders of symmetry and regularity with their realisation as stair railings and courtyard-side balustrades made of printed laminated safety glass and laser-cut steel on the façade. On a memorial plaque, the artist uses everyday contemporary documents to refer to the history of the building's use and reminds us of the injustice that was done to people in this place.

The project won the European Property 5-Star Award for the “Best Residential Renovation”.