Graz was declared the only European Culture Capital for 2003. The reason was that Graz has one of the best-kept Middle Age and Renaissance city cores. On June 14, Birgit Maderl had arranged a small walking tour led by one of her former teacher. A total of about 20 people attended consisting of family, friends and co-workers. This guided tour showed all of us new things about Graz that we had never paid attention to. For example, we did not know that the city of Graz is trying to sell one of the main downtown buildings for only one Euro, provided it is properly restored (until now no buyer has been found). Nor did we ever pay much attention to the faces that can be seen just under the roof of many of the buildings (which are basically to ward off evil). In May I had visited a few sites, and also tried to capture the colored night illumination of the town. The photographs below are an extract from all those visits.

It is quite amazing what all has been arranged for the European Culture Capital event. The clock tower has currently a shadow which was already sold to - and will be installed after 2003 at - a shopping center southwest of Graz. A glass elevator has been installed near Jakominiplatz, so one can look down Herrengasse almost the same way as the statue of Mary for only 1 Euro per ascent.

Numerous statues have been installed in different squares, streets and courtyards. They range from deconstructed military jet, 2 ton metal bodies and 5 connected ladders to Unicorn-Christmas-Tree, warped street and 6 feet of Murnockerl (stones).

A public island has been installed in the Mur river including a stage, cafe, etc. It is actually more like a float, because it can rise and lower with the water level by 15 feet. One of the main attraction on Mur Insel are the water closets which are viewed by everyone who hears about it (often in groups).

In honor of the 2003 event, Graz also gets a new Kunst Haus (Art House), which is a very organic looking glass building and is widely discussed as to what it actually represents. An existing metal storefront from the early 1900 has been integrated. The glass is intended to reflect the downtown area, and thus connect both sides of the Mur. The building is supposed to be completed in the Fall of 2003.

Exhibits run from Mountain of Memories (a collection of Graz memories from late 19th century to today in the former air shelter in the Schlossberg - the mountain in the middle of the city) and Art about Marquis de Sade to Himmelschwer (as heavy as heaven or sky). The whole year sees special exhibits of numerous subjects and by many international artists.

Overall, much exciting art is happening in Graz and there really should be something for everyone. Just from our group we had all ages on an outdoor living art scaffolding. We even saw a very large ad for it in Vienna reading "Wien ist der schoenste Vorort von Graz" (Vienna is the most beautiful suburb of Graz).