May 2, 2004) and I, as an artist, have been invited to participate.
First, I would like to tell you about an encounter which took place exactly 100 years ago, only one block away
from the OK Center.
In the year 1904-05, Adolf Hitler and Ludwig Wittgenstein attended the same school in Linz, known today as
the Bundesrealgymnasium Fadingerstrasse. Hitler and Wittgenstein, then 15, appear less than a meter away
from each other on a school photograph. Despite lack of further evidence about a possible relationship, it is
probable that Wittgenstein was “the Jew of Linz” to which Hitler referred to in Mein Kampf as the very one
who triggered his antisemitism.
Because the consequences of this encounter may have dramatically shaped the 20th century, one can’t stop
imagining the world we would live in today if things had gone differently in the schoolyard : there would be a
million Jews in Austria, the state of Israel might not exist, the Cold War could have taken another course
e t c …
The encounter of both adolescents, even imagined, can therefore be seen as the very ouset - the birth of the
20th century. Why should such a significant event remain unnoticed ?
As my artistic project I am planning a Monument to the Birth of the 20t h Century, in Linz. At this stage, the
concept and the design of the monument are being researched. Part of my research is to write people in Linz,
Austria and abroad, who I assume are interested in politics, history, philosophy or whatever is happening in
the public sphere. Hence my letter which leads me to ask you: how would you envision the Monument to the
Birth of the 20th Century ?
I would be grateful if you could share your ideas or comment on this project. I’m looking forward to reading
from you; thank you for your time and valued contribution in advance. I’m at your disposal for any further
information and discussion.
T E L + 4 3 7 3 2 7 8 4 1 7 8 F A X + 4 3 7 3 2 7 7 5 6 8 4 W W W . O K - C E N T R U M . A T