Apus Urbana

The common swift, a swallow-like migratory bird that - as the name already suggests - consciously nests in man-made structures, also moves in precisely this opposite of nature and urban. Once the swift has chosen a place to nest, it returns there year after year. The house in Burggasse was no exception. He had been chosen by a group of swifts as their nesting place, and in their honor, the artist painted a mural dedicated to these flying inhabitants.

The mural depicted three swifts in the process of landing, a significant moment as it rarely occurred away from this location. Swifts spend most of their lives in the air, and landing is a delicate process. The backdrop of the city in the mural was inspired by film noir and the industrial revolution, symbolizing the human element. Despite the somewhat sombre and uninviting backdrop, species like the swift found a way to coexist with humans in such environments.

The coexistence between humans and animals was fascinating, even though it was not foreseen by humans. It was an unlikely symbiosis that worked for the migratory birds. The mural was more than just a work of art; it was a symbol of future-oriented thinking, a perfect utopian future where architecture, art, and other aspects could be consciously worked towards such a coexistence.

To protect the natural habitat for swifts, District Councilor Max Hoffman and the MA22 helped the artist build more than 20 nesting boxes for swifts within the mural. This was a unique way of combining urban art with the protection of natural habitats, setting an example for the future. The protection of the natural habitat for swifts was crucial, especially in Vienna, where many of these habitats are threatened by roof extensions.