Artists Statement

Stairs are links between architectural units. They serve as an interface between inside/ outside, up/down. In this sense a staircase is a passage, a transitional space rather than a room of its own. It is a space of movement.

The project series LINK, started in Bolzano and Vienna in 1993, attempts to draw attention to specific localities. At the staircase of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki the sounds of walking people, which are usually audible on the stairs, will be superimposed by sounds especially designed for the circumstances. By covering the staircase with an orange carpet the visitor is confronted with a new sensual impression when walking up the stairs. Not only his auditory environment has changed – his visual and his tactile surroundings have been altered as well. As a consequence the visitor’s perception of a well known place is altered fundamentally.

• Sylvia Eckermann was born in Vienna, Austria, 1962, studies of chemistry and history of arts, 1987-1990 member of the art cooperative Gangart.
• Mathias Fuchs was born in Erlangen (Germany) 1956, studies of computer science (TU Vienna) and electronic music (Music Academy Vienna, Austria and EMS Stockholm, Sweden). Since 1989 lecturer at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna. They have been working together in the field of multimedia and electronic arts since 1989.