Festivals celebrate occasions and moods and generate their own realities that manifest as living memories. Festivals transform people, allowing them to take on unfamiliar roles. Festivals also change places, give rise to new public spheres, and are capable of bringing together critical as well as joyful, angry and enthusiastic groups with resulting impacts on cities and societies. The festival is also closely linked to the display of political or social power. Those who take part suspend existing rules or create new ones. The MAK exhibition DAS FEST brings art, cultural and social history to life. The book that accompanies the exhibition brings together the expert opinions of the MAK team as well as those of renowned authors and explores essential aspects of festival design. Festivals as a source of inspiration: from happenings to religious holidays With contributions by Chiara Baldini, Brigitte Felderer, Lili Hollein, Werner Oechslin, and many more MAK exhibition, which runs from 14 December 2022 to 7 May 2023

The contributions to this book explore a phenomenon that appears to be a contradiction in itself - we, the users of computers, can be tracked in digital space for all eternity. Although, on the one hand, one wants to be noticed and noticeable, on the other hand one does not necessarily want to be recognized at the first instance, being prey to an unfathomable public, or - even less so - to lose face. The book documents artistic and other strategies that point out options for appearing in the infinite book of faces whilst nevertheless avoiding being included in any records. The desire not to become a mere object of facial sell-out does not just remain an aesthetic endeavor. The contributions also contain combative and sarcastic statements against a digital dynamic that has already penetrated our everyday lives.

The latest film from Austrian filmmakers Gustav Deutsch and Hannah Schimek restages the paintings of American master Edward Hopper. This catalogue documents the making of the film, including costumes and sets.