Florian Hüttner

Florian Hüttner was inspired by the spatial situation of the Igel (Hedgehog) hideaway, which he equates to the protection in a cave. The mural on rocky stones in a hideaway nearby Naglsteig sets out to express the vague, uncertain, and also uncomfortably harsh and painful facets of the historical situation. The painting shows a propaganda motif in Ukrainian Cyrillic, “Partisans, to arms!” from the Russian partisan times. The partisans were fighting irregularly with all means against Hitler. At the entrance to the salt mine in Altaussee, a unique plate made of enamel is shown. At Kunsthaus Graz, Hüttner presented a large scale drawing with ink and dispersion paint on paper about the same subject.

Translation of the Ukrainian Cyrillic partisan call: 
"Partisans, take up your arms! The hour has come, for each of us, spare your life, to the end (you) must fulfill (your) sacred duty for the fatherland, in front of your nation. No matter where the enemy appears – there he must find his grave. So every house and building, so every village and place, brings death to the Hitler-like violent gangs. To battle! For Fatherland, for honor, for freedom, for Stalin!"

 

In the valley:

The salt mine in Altaussee has dug deep into the Sandling mountain. The 1717-meter-high massif is located opposite the Loser and towers above Altaussee in the north-west. Salt has been mined here at least since medieval times, but probably even in Roman times. The Salzkammergut was under the rule of the Habsburgs since the 14th century. The mines and salt-works remained in state ownership until 1998. The Salzberg gave people a means of existence and inherited jobs. Salt-mining allowed them to stay in the area and provide for their families. This situation paved the way for the inhabitants’ special self-image and cohesion in a mountain region characterized by a difficult climate and hardship.

There were probably some loose ties between miners and the opposition group “Willy-Fred” headed by Sepp Plieseis. It is said that before the Igel was built in spring 1944, supporters had confirmed that no smoke could be seen from the mine that might have given the resistance men away.

On the mountains:

The “resistance” in the Ausseerland was not a militant partisan fight. It consisted not only of antifascist underground work and organization, but also rebelliousness and contrariness. Some later indulged in boasting and arrogance, seeking to appear in the best light or to escape punishment for collaboration. Women generally made less fuss about their dangerous activities. A lot of information is based on word of mouth – oral history, as it is known. Many legends and myths weave around the well-researched history with its objectified narrative.

Among them is the partisan myth along with the retrieval of the artworks in the salt mine, buried treasures in front gardens, and the incredible, but true secret operation to arrest Joseph Goebbels. On orders of the British Secret Service, four locally known men parachuted into the Ausseerland with equipment during the night of April 8, 1945.

The operation failed before it even started, with the men landing dispersed far from their drop zone in the deep snow of the Feuerkogel in the Höllengebirge, forced to go underground. This gave rise to various legends: Albrecht Gaiswinkler from Bad Aussee, who had led the parachute operation, claimed to have properly formed the resistance only afterwards, something to which Sepp Plieseis also lays claim. Others say that there never was an organized resistance.


This artwork was conceived as a temporary work. It will remain visible as long as nature permits. More information on the artwork as well as on the hike: www.politische-landschaft.at