Reenactment: Lisa Rastl & Willi Dorner, Handshake - A gesture is traced

HANDSHAKE - Tracing a gesture

What does reconciliation mean? What does it mean to make peace, not just on the world stage, but between us? Reconciliation as a sign of understanding, respect and as a precondition for peace. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and a photograph that was taken that night in Erlauf and became a symbol for the Friedensgemeinde (peace community), you are invited to become part of a multi-part art project. The photo artist Lisa Rastl and the artist Willi Dorner would like to explore the concept of ‘reconciliation’ with you in an unusual way.

You are cordially invited! Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 2 - 6 p.m., Erlauf municipal office, Melker Straße 1

On this day, Lisa Rastl and Willi Dorner will transform the room where the historic ‘handshake’ took place into a photo and video studio. Together with you and as many other people as possible, they would like to recreate the historical image of the handshake and discuss this gesture of reconciliation - what does it do to us to shake hands? Perhaps you can bring along a story or an experience that fits in with such a gesture.

We look forward to your participation (preferably in pairs or in a group)! Registration: lisa.rastl@gmx.net

SAVE THE DATE: Friedenstage (Days of Peace) 2025, Saturday, 10 May 2025, 2.30 pm, Market Square

The videos created in April will be presented at the Days of Peace ceremony. As the second part of their project, Lisa Rastl and Willi Dorner are inviting people to literally sit down together at the Peace Festival. All guests are invited to become part of a grand gesture of togetherness. Together, a symbolic image of diverse togetherness is to be added to the historical image of the world powers shaking hands.

Handshake is a project by Lisa Rastl and Will Dorner, commissioned by Kunst im öffentlichen Raum Niederösterreich / Amt der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung