In Memoriam

TONSPUR_artists-in-residence-en, TONSPUR_Journal_en

PETER WEIBEL (1944–2023)

Peter Weibel in conversation at the bookstore Walther König at MQ 2011 • Photo Frank Paul

TONSPUR Kunstverein Wien mourns the passing of one of its artists and vociferous supporters, Peter Weibel, who died on 1 March 2023 in Karlsruhe.

To commemorate the life of Peter Weibel, his 2011 work for TONSPUR für einen öffentlichen raum is being reinstalled for one day, in the TONSPUR_passage | Micro Museum for Sound, in the Museumsquartier Wien, from 00:00-24:00 on Sunday 5 March 2023, his 79th birthday.

Peter Weibel’s TONSPUR 42 bears the title Das Leben im 20. Jahrhundert: 225 Millionen Morde. Ein Oratorium (Life in the 20th Century: 225 Million Murders. An Oratorio).

To mark the criminal act of aggression by Russia in the Ukraine — Peter Weibel was born on 05.03.1944 in Odessa in the Ukraine — we had been arranging for him to continue with his Oratorio about political murders in the 21st century, this year. It is a project that will, sadly, remain unrealised.

We mourn deeply for Peter Weibel, his passing leaves a gaping whole. This great artist and dedicated and uncomprimising communicator for art is no more. Our sense of loss could not be greater.

We miss Peter Weibel and shall always honour his memory

Georg Weckwerth
Vorstand und künstlerischer Leiter
TONSPUR Kunstverein Wien