Otto Neurath: Gypsy Urbanism

A closer look at the work of the Viennese philosopher, economist and all-round scholar Otto Neurath (1882-1945) reveals much that is still modern today; working within the economic and political context of “Red Vienna”, Neurath made great efforts to develop participatory democracy. He worked with leading architects, designers and artists of his time, including Franz Schuster, Josef Frank, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, as well as leading lights of the Vienna Circle to which he belonged. Together with the graphic artist Gerd Arntz, he developed precise depiction of data and statistics that were comprehensible for everyone, i.e. the Viennese method of depicting statistics known as “isotype” (International System of Typographic Picture Education), in which complex issues are translated into pictographs. The exhibition is focused on Neurath’s treatment of word and image, as well as visual directions and their application in architecture and urban planning. His work continues today to exert influence on various disciplines such as architecture, philosophy, economics, urban planning and graphic design.

Guest Curator Nader Vossoughian, Architectural Theorist
Curator Kathrin Pokorny-Nagel, Head of the MAK Library and Works on Paper Collection

The exhibition has been taken over and adapted from the show in the Schindler House of the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Los Angeles.