Anna Lerchbaumer
Anna Lerchbaumer: Exploring the Intersections Between Humans, Technology and Sound
Born in Innsbruck and now based in Vienna, Austrian artist Anna Lerchbaumer’s work explores the intricate relationships between environmental issues, human existence, and technological evolution. She merges traditional lathe-turned wood with modern materials like 3D-printed components and industrial metal, creating vibrant sculptures that challenge perceptions of decay, gender, and connectivity. By blending the natural and the artificial, Lerchbaumer playfully critiques the technological advances of the present moment, offering powerful, colorful objects that engage with our complex, dislocated world.
Sonic Shrine: Giving Musical Equipment a New Voice
In “Sonic Shrine”, Anna Lerchbaumer breathes new life into discarded loudspeakers salvaged from Innsbruck’s music scene. Mounted on hand-turned, vibrantly painted wooden sculptures, these speaker totems serve as vessels of memory, preserving and repurposing sounds from the past.
The installation pulsates with a layered, multi-channel soundscape, transforming the exhibition space into an immersive experience. The rhythmic noise mantra emerges from worn-out speakers—artifacts on the brink of fading into silence—allowing them to echo their former existence. By exploring the electromagnetic aura of sound and the transient nature of technology, Lerchbaumer bridges the gap between physical deterioration and acoustic resonance, proving that even forgotten equipment can have an afterlife.
Abnabeln: The First Scar of Life and Our Digital Umbilical Cord
In her exhibition “Abnabeln”, Anna Lerchbaumer reflects on the navel as the first scar of life, representing the primal connection to nourishment through the umbilical cord. Drawing a parallel to our present-day reliance on technology, she questions how smartphones, chargers, and digital networks have become an extension of our bodies.
From the substitution of early childhood play with screens to the frantic search for a charger when our battery runs low, Lerchbaumer highlights the deep-rooted dependence on technological lifelines. Through a combination of sculptures, found objects, and sound, she exposes the invisible yet omnipresent connections that define modern existence.
A Contemporary Perspective on Materiality and Sound
Lerchbaumer’s work challenges the audience to reconsider the objects and technologies often taken for granted. By merging traditional craftsmanship with conceptual depth, she invites the viewer to explore the fine line between obsolescence and transformation, silence and resonance. In doing so, she opens a dialogue about the ways in which materiality, memory, and sound shape the perception of the world—both visible and unseen. Lerchbaumer’s collection of works explores the convergence of past and present through artistic expression. In each performance-driven installation, she transforms exhibition spaces into dynamic environments, where sound and sculpture interact to create immersive, thought-provoking experiences.
