MS-FUSION A.I.R.

MS-FUSION A.I.R. is an 'Artist in Residence' programme on the specially designed ship MS-FUSION, optimized for operation on rivers.
This ship, a floating sculpture, is available to artists and scientists for river voyages to realize their own projects and joint productions. The MS-FUSION is a tool for research, fieldwork and artistic work in river region.
Rainer Prohaska can look back on more than 20 years of experience, many art projects on the Danube and the successful construction and operation of two Danube ships. Now, with this experience, the unique ambience of the river is to be made accessible to a larger number of artists.

The MS-FUSION is currently the vessel of The European Pavilion 2024: Liquid Becomings, commissioned by the European Cultural Foundation.

The next A.I.R. start will be in spring 2025. 

MS-FUSION SPECIFICATIONS

The MS-FUSION is a motor-driven catamaran with a length of 10m and a width of 7m. The passenger space is two-story, has a total area of 100m² and offers working and living space for 6 people. Beside the captain, an additional person is needed as a support docking and departing safely. With an average cruising speed of 20km/h, maximum daily stages of up to 200km are possible.


(c) Rainer Prohaska

QUALITIES & ADVANTAGES

Flexibility

• Passengers can pursue special interests & individual goals.
  
• It is possible to individually influence the course of the trip thanks to the option to dock anywhere.
  
• Specially designed ship with special travel and sailing qualities.
  

The ship as a communication medium

• The special & unusual aesthetics generates special attention & situations.
  
• Alternative communication channels & differentiated access to hidden Danube cultures.
• Source of inspiration & serendipity for research & production of artistic works

PASSENGERS

(c) Hanna Priemetzhofer

Before the residency, each passenger receives a handbook about the preparation and life on board of the MS-FUSION and will have meetings with the crew. 

A.I.R. PROGRAM 2021 & 2022

Impressions of the A.I.R. trip to the Black Sea, 2021, (c) Hanna Priemetzhofer, Christina Helena Romierer

Route: in two stages from Melk (AUT) to Sulina/Tulcea (ROU)

Participating artists: 
Hanna Priemetzhofer, Christina Helena Romirer, Anita Fuchs, Kerstin Reyer, Sabrina Rosina, Kilian Jörg and Rainer Prohaska

Captain: Florian Sorgo

Funded by the AIR program of the Austrian Federal Chancellery and the State of Styria (AUT).

RESULTS / POSTPRODUCTION

Exhibition views (c) Vladimir Obsenica, 2023

Group exhibition Grad Gallery /KC GRAD, Belgrade (SRB)

Artists: Florian Sorgo, Carola Schmidt, Hanna Priemetzhofer, Christina Helena Romirer, Anita Fuchs, Kerstin Reyer, Sabrina Rosina, Kilian Jörg and Rainer Prohaska

Organized by
Hanna Priemetzhofer, Christina Helena Romierer, Rainer Prohaska

Duration 04.04.- 15.04.2023

The DOWNSTREAM #01 exhibition presented artistic works and research projects that deal with the Danube and the Danube region.
In 2021 and 2022, the nine artists represented traveled different sections of the Danube from Austria to the Black Sea on board the research vessel MS-FUSION. All of the works on display were created during and after the residency period. The exhibition was accompanied by a varied program of workshops, demonstrations, lectures and open discussions. The research trips of the last two years were characterized by many experiences, different perspectives, river kilometers and encounters. The artistic positions of the traveling artists showed a variety of themes and working methods. They are all united by an exploratory, experimental approach and the river.

Funded by
The Austrian Federal Chancellery
The Austrian Cultural Forum Belgrade
The Province of Styria (AUT)
The Danube Small Project Fund
The Province of Lower Austria (AUT)
The Province of Upper Austria (AUT)
RD Foundation Vienna
The Goethe Institute
The European Union

Please download the poster here.