This ball-shaped building - "Kugelmugel" - is located in the Prater in the 2nd district. It was created by artist Edwin Lipburger in 1971 and originally was located in Lower Austria. In 1984 the "Republic of Kugelmugel" declared independence, Lipburger refused to pay taxes to the Austrian government and began to print his own stamps, for which he received a prison sentence in court. Only a pardon by the Austrian President saved him from going to jail. Austrian state officials relocated the structure to the Prater park and surrounded it with barbed wire fencing.
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Very unusual, and perfect for the theme, Vreni!
ReplyDeleteProbably one of the most curious things we will see for the theme!
ReplyDeleteIt does fit the theme very well! Having just visited Austria this past summer, I love the story behind it too.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that people insist on declaring their independence from the country in which they nominally live? It happens here in Australia, too. Very curious ...
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly an oddity - both the sculpture and the artist! Thanks for the story behind it and good choice for the theme day.
ReplyDeleteThe wire fencing is a neat reminder of certain people's closed minds.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for the theme day, Verena!
Very strange, the building and the story that goes with it.
ReplyDeleteI don't like it when authorities think they know things better thant artists. Good entry!
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