SOHO in Ottakring

SOHO in Ottakring is an art and urban district project that was started in 1999 as part of an artist initiative. It originally extended across the Brunnenviertel area of Ottakring, Vienna´s 16th district. The Brunnenviertel is located close to the “Gürtel” a densely developed urban area surrounding the Brunnenmarkt street market. It has an area of c. 20 ha and a population of c. 8000 inhabitants.

SOHO in Ottakring has continously focused on aspects such as urban living, urban development, artistic intervention and possibilities for participation in the local environment as well as the question of participation and co-determination in public life. A key aspect is the cooperation between artists and theoreticians at a national and international level with various local groups and institutions such as the Gebietsbetreuung Ottakring, schools in the area, youth insitutions, businesses and businessmen and residents, as well as the pro-active use of public space during the biennal two-week festival in May. The variable field created by the different residents and interests in the area in which SOHO in Ottakring takes place creates the grounds – sometimes the cultural media – for artistic work. The breadth of these works is great and ranges from “classical” exhibitions to socio-political projects with a concrete commitment that take up the implications of the area as a model of social problems and put them on centerstage. This artistic practice has been given particular support for some time. The dedication to supporting and strengthening socio-political art projects will continue. The concentration on social problems that can be identified in the area and the current issues is of particular concern. SOHO in Ottakring also strives to pursue exchanges with projects that have similar aims in other European cities.