In a slight modification of an old family book saying, Vera Vogelsberger's last exhibition in the Schwaz City Gallery dealt with deception and self-deception in artistic contexts and beyond. Whether prudence and self-deception are antagonists seemed questionable. The exhibition tried to convey more complex views.

Adam Chodzko (UK)

Chodzko opened the God Look-Alike Contest with advertisements, the results were portraits. Classified advertisements, means of communication and the exchange of goods, also formed his catalog of wishes of the respective society and show self-assessment, evaluation of the property etc. of the providers. In the God Look-Alike Contest, Adam Chodzko enhanced this system to artistically support 'highest spiritual levels' of God conceptions and relationships.

Aernout Mik (NL)

'These spatial works have the effect of paintings in which we see the relationship between people and objects or people and their surroundings reflected, albeit exaggerated and distorted, like in a hall of mirrors' - wrote Mark Kremer about Aernout Mik's works, which he believes can be seen best described as mirages (phantasmagorias) in which dreams interfered with everyday reality.

Georgina Starr (UK)

In the large-format comic Tuberama (A Musical on the Northern Line), viewers could follow Starr into the subway and from there into bizarre scenarios. Various levels of reflection on identity and what nourished it were processed in a delirious musical. Georgina Starr played attempts at codification, supposed security, against the power of memories, dreams, imagination and phantasy.

The title 'If you wish to wander life wisely, consider others, but also yourself, we all like deceiving others, but best we like deceiving ourselves.' was long and unusual and symbolized the sometimes very tedious work in the gallery.

The title as a statement and the exhibited works of art could and should very well be read self-critically. Vera Vogelsberger's goal of establishing the gallery was successful, and we parted with mixed feelings.

Text: Andrea Hörl