Redefining Art in Vienna: A Visionary’s Blend of History, Community, Creativity

By: Lacy Gilreath

Vienna, a city filled with history and cultural significance, is home to artist Doris Dittrich, whose eclectic body of work and innovative initiatives are redefining the landscape of contemporary art. As the Co-founder of the Ministry of Artists, a Vienna based non-profit cultural association and gallery that fosters collaboration across artistic disciplines, Dittrich brings a unique blend of artistic insight and social commentary to her diverse creative methods from painting to ceramics and printmaking. Dittrich’s journey into art was not a direct one. Her background in archaeology and social work profoundly shapes her artistic vision. This approach allows Dittrich to delve into the trivialities of everyday life, seeking beauty in the banal and treating contemporary Western culture with an archaeologist’s curiosity. Her fascination with daily life is translated into her art, where she merges form, color, and philosophical context.

Founders Bruno Jolly (left) and Dorris Dittrich (right) hang artwork in the Ministry of Artists gallery to prepare for an upcoming exhibit. The gallery, located in Vienna, Austria serves as a vibrant space dedicated to supporting local artists and enriching the cultural landscape.

“Where’s the beauty in the banal as that’s always the most interesting you know, if you have a lost culture, the high culture and bureaucracy are super well documented, and the religion but the lives of people aren’t. And that’s what’s most interesting. How did it feel to be part of that civilization of that culture? How did normal life happen? So that’s what I focus on in the artistic research.” said Dittrich.

Whether through the tactile nature of ceramics or the meticulous process of etching, Dittrich finds a balance between control and spontaneity, reflecting her belief in art’s power to change and elevate human experience. Her versatility in mediums was nurtured during her time at the Vienna Art School where she graduated from in 2007. Unlike traditional art academies, this school encouraged exploration across disciplines.

“The whole idea of the founder, who was an academy professor, was that this egalitarianism is, as I like to call it, the calamity of art. So in this place, you only had your admittance test after the first year of studying and you actually developed the portfolio together with the teachers while you’re already studying,” she recalled. “So my plan was to either start studying printing graphics or painting because both of them had been interesting to me, but in the school, the first half a year, you went through all the different branches and disciplines that you could study in the school, and then you only decided after the first half year, which one to study in. So it was highly encouraged to go into the other classes.”

Within the Ministry of Artists gallery, Dorris Dittrich (left), co-founder and multimedia artist, engages in conversation with student journalist Lacy Gilreath (right). Their discussion delves into the foundational motivations behind the establishment of the Ministry of Artists, as well as Dittrich’s personal journey as an artist.

Dittrich’s artistic journey, marked by a deep passion for the human condition and everyday life, showcases her versatility across various mediums. Her interdisciplinary approach is evident in her co-founding of the Ministry of Artists which supports diverse artistic practices through her expertise. The Ministry offers a unique platform where artists can connect, experiment, and thrive outside the constraints of traditional gallery systems which often sidelines the very artists it relies on.

“You come into the business, or into a world from the side with a totally different angle and a different perspective. Looking at the gallery system, the art market, the art world, and it was like, why do you artists allow that to happen to you?” Dittrich said quoting her co-founder Bruno Joly, “Because of course, most of the circumstances are not very supportive for the artists, right. They’re supportive for all the people who earn the money with the art that is made by the artists.”

The Ministry, co-founded by Dittrich and Joly, a photographer and graphic designer who initiated the idea, offers a platform for artists across disciplines such as visual arts, music, and performance. It emphasizes collaboration and mutual respect within the artist community. They bridge the gap between artists, enablers, infrastructure, associations, and institutions in an uncomplicated, inclusive way by organizing concerts and events that help artists network and sell their work. This philosophy has resonated deeply within the art community, leading to a partnership with the prestigious Vienna Festival, internationally known as Wiener Festwochen, which showcases contemporary theater, music, performance and visual arts for the public. This partnership further amplifies the ministries vision to not just to showcase art but to advocate for systemic change within the art world.

Dittrich said, “As an association of course, there is also like, as an artist you’d always already try to do that, you know, like use art and its power to make the world a better place. It sounds super cliche, but I really believe that art can change people and we need change because with the way humanity has been doing things for the last 100 years or 200 years it just doesn’t work. So we fight for solidarity and for a more human and loving approach to life and to art.”

In Doris Dittrich’s work and her initiatives, a dedication to not only creating art but also fostering a community where art can thrive shines through. Her archaeological lens, multidisciplinary expertise, and revolutionary spirit make her a vital force in Vienna’s cultural scene, pushing the boundaries of what art can achieve in its larger contribution to society.