Voitsberg Town-hall by Arik Brauer

In the middle of the main square of Voitsberg, the Arik-Brauer-Town Hall connects community life with extraordinary art. Its history as a town hall dates back to the 18th century; the current building was constructed in 1966/67. It became a widely visible artwork in 2002 when Arik Brauer, a prominent representative of Fantastic Realism, redesigned the exterior facade.

Approximately 120 square meters of hand-painted tiles translate popular proverbs into an imaginative visual language. Motifs illustrating sayings like “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” or “The early bird catches the worm” invite a closer examination of the facade. In total, 29 proverbs are illustrated. In 2003, a carillon with six ceramic figures was added. They represent love, justice, nature conservation, courage, peace, and wisdom.

The connection between administration and culture continues inside as well. The “Art House Town Hall” features a permanent collection of local artists, complemented by changing exhibitions.

As a striking eye-catcher in the historic town center, the Arik-Brauer-Town Hall is one of the special destinations in the Lipizzaner region. A visit to the Voitsberg main square reveals surprising details and shows how naturally art can be a part of the urban landscape.