Imaginary Journeys
Imaginary Journeys
March 23, 2021
Wojciech Czaja: Almost Tiergarten Berlin, Vienna’s 1st District, Universitätsring
© Wojciech Czaja
Wien Museum presents an open-air exhibition of two series, both of which embody imaginary journeys – though they are separated by 150 years.
In spring 2020, when the pandemic had all but ended global travel, architectural journalist Wojciech Czaja began to capture buildings, architectural details and urban atmospheres within Vienna that reminded him of far-flung cities: ‘almost’ Paris, ‘almost’ New York City, ‘almost’ Hong Kong. For months he posted his images on Facebook, triggering a storm of enthusiasm.
In 1873 – a time when international travel was reserved for a small elite – the Viennese Photographers’ Association offered souvenir photos of foreign destinations, enabling ordinary people to experience a visual ‘tour of the world’. Hundreds of these photographs are now part of the Wien Museum’s holdings.
The dialogue between the two series opens up a space for contemplations on authenticity and similarity, representations and clichés, memory and imagination.
For further details visit Wien Museum
Wojciech Czaja: Almost Tiergarten Berlin, Vienna’s 1st District, Universitätsring
© Wojciech Czaja
Wojciech Czaja: Almost Detroit, Vienna’s 10th District, Moselgasse
© Wojciech Czaja
‘The well of Sultan Achmed II.’ Photo: György Klösz / Viennese Photographers’ Association
© Wien Museum
‘Pavillon of the Hungarian Forest Administration’. Photo: György Klösz / Viennese Photographers’ Association
© Wien Museum