The Great Vibration

The artwork The Great Vibration by Moussa Kone connects the contemporary spatial situation of a place with its historical stratifications and with communal life in a residential building in a new quarter of Vienna.

The Great Vibration brings to the surface what is happening underground. The focus is on the sewer flowing under a passageway whose genesis dates back to a cholera epidemic that raged in 19th century Vienna. Vibrions, as the pathogens causing cholera are called, flicker in the form of a painted, abstract ceiling pattern flowing from one wall to the other and reflect the undulation of the underground water. Two figures dispose of rubbish in the channel on the ceiling, which leads to a drain-like ventilation grille.

On a frieze, there is a brick pattern whose suggested mending with mortar and lime deposits alludes to the composition of the Favoritner sewer below. Markings on the floor, based on a cross-section of the historic sewer vault, direct the view downwards.

The memory of history is thus linked to the future looking back on the current pandemic. At the same time, the work calls to mind the ever-present importance of urban infrastructures that not infrequently remain hidden and yet so reliably allow everyday life to run smoothly. Kone's design remains light and almost playful, and becomes an identity-forming element of the housing complex, providing an inviting orientation for residents, neighbours, visitors and observers, while at the same time pointing to an interesting and important history.

Moussa Kone was invited to take part in a contest to draft an artwork for this space and was selected by a jury. The project was organized by KÖR Kunst im öffentlichen Raum Wien (Art in Public Space Vienna) in cooperation with EBG Gemeinnützige Ein- und Mehrfamilienhaus Baugenossenschaft (Non-Profit Building Cooperative). Funded by the City of Vienna. The work is situated at Maria Lassnig Strasse 38-40, 1100 Vienna.