21 April 2022

Photo competition on occasion of the exhibition 'INSTANTLY!' about Vienna street photography from the 1860s to nowadays at MUSA Wien (19 May - 23 October 2022)

When exploring Instagram with the hashtag #Augenblick2022, the first entries to the latest Wien Museum photo competition can already be found. The call to participate in the photo challenge started this week on occasion of the upcoming exhibition 'Instantly! Vienna Street Photography' at the Wien Museum branch MUSA. Historical photographs from the mid-19th century up to pictures from nowadays will show how street photography, the city and the inhabitants have changed. Photographers, their techniques and approaches to observe situations, the interaction between people, the traffic in the city of Vienna, or times of relaxation are the stars of the show and the red thread through chapters like 'Out and About in the City' which shows images of people moving through the city. Visitors will observe that until the early 20th century, photographers favored large-scale overviews. Later, they tended to capture smaller scenes and special moments. At the same time as the society of the 20th century developed an increasing interest in self-determination, individuality, diversity also new camera techniques including better qualities of film material were developed which enabled photographers to capture close ups of the mobility of society - in a double sense (changes of social status as well as moving like walking or on train). The street photographs of this chapter also tell the story of the technological development of mobility - in the sense of transport - over more than 150 years in a metropolis.

At the press preview, mainly male photographers are presented. Exceptions are Elfriede Mejchar and Renata Breth whose works of graphical elements on the streets, house walls or advertising columns are part of the chapter 'Lettering, Images, Signs'.

The historically grown gender inequality can probably be balanced through the entries of the participants of the #Augenblick2022 competition. It's announced that the best entries selected by a jury of photo and social media experts will be presented at the 'INSTANTLY!'' exhibition at MUSA. The photos of participants must be posted until 19 June with hashtag #Augenblick2022 on Instagram. Details at Instagramers Vienna on @igersvienna.

Images, from left:
Emil Mayer, On The Way With The Tram, 1905–1912
Wien Museum Collection
Photo: © Wien Museum/Birgit und Peter Kainz

Renata Breth, American Bar (Loos-Bar), 1985
Wien Museum Collection © Renata Breth
Photo: © Wien Museum/Birgit und Peter Kainz