On the night of July 23, outside the Kunsthaus Bregenz in Austria, a stark act of vandalism took place. Six banners emblazoned with the phrase “Wish You Were Gay,” promoting German artist Anne Imhof‘s solo exhibition, were ruthlessly slashed. Imhof, a formidable voice in performance and media art, labeled the incident an “act of violent aggression.”
Imhof’s exhibition, which opened on June 8, has been characterized as a poignant “love song to queer coming of age.” It bears witness to the persistent struggle and hostility faced by LGBTQIA2S+ individuals globally. This exhibition, continuing Kunsthaus Bregenz’s nearly three-decade-long tradition of provocative displays, was meant to be a testament to love and resilience.
The discovery of the vandalized banners on Wednesday morning prompted Kunsthaus Bregenz Director Thomas D. Trummer to issue a scathing statement, condemning the act as a “cowardly attack on art and human rights.” “Homophobia has no place in our society,” he emphasized, a sentiment echoed by many.
Imhof, taking to Instagram, described the vandalism as a “hate crime,” but assured her supporters that the banners would be replaced swiftly. She remained defiant, declaring that such acts of hate “cannot take away our hope for a world free from homophobia and free from discrimination for each and every one of us.” In a creative retort to the vandalism, the damaged banners have been modified to read “Wish You Were Tolerant.”
The Bregenz police department has launched an investigation, although no perpetrator has been identified as of yet. The incident has sparked a wave of solidarity. German artist Katharina Grosse, expressing her dismay on social media, wrote, “I am saddened and shocked about the act of violence against the six billboards of Anne Imhof’s show Wish You Were Gay at KUB, hurtfully showcasing that people around the world and their artistic practice are still under attack for who they are.”
Imhof’s exhibition and the subsequent vandalism underscore the ongoing battle against intolerance and the vital role of art in championing human rights. Despite the attack, the message of “Wish You Were Gay” endures, a resilient beacon in the face of adversity.
