In Between: Photographs of Spring and Summer 1945
In late March 1945 Soviet troops crossed the Burgenland border. In mid-April Vienna was liberated. On 27 April 1945 the provisional national government declared independence – but parts of Austria were still under Nazi control (read more on this topic in our encyclopedia). Until 1955, the four Allied powers had to administer the newly founded Second Republic in some extend of partnership, although in early July 1945 the country was divided into four occupation zones (more on the allied administration of Austria in our encyclopedia).
Photographs of such events are never neutral: At the end of the war, it was important for many Austrians to prove their status as victims – so they constantly emphasised the destruction and scarcity they suffered. By contrast, the occupying powers initially wanted to draw attention to their own prowess during the war, going on to show how quickly they managed to create order and normality. Some of these photographs are voyeuristic. They make use of the fascination that war exerts as an extreme situation. For example, military offensives were repeated for the camera and scenes of triumph re-enacted.
War Outside the Window
Demonstrating Destruction
Heroic Poses
What does "New Austria" mean?
Before the Cold War
Accomplishing every-day life
New Normality
The Aftermath of Nazi violence
Many thanks to all collections and licensers:
Bildarchiv und Grafiksammlung der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek
Bildersammlung Karl Ensbrunner
Privatsammlung Walter Steiner
Tiroler Archiv für photographische Dokumentation und Kunst (TAP)
Team
Director: Monika Sommer
Curators: Stefan Benedik, Markus Fösl
Academic consultancy: Heidemarie Uhl
Translation: Paul Richards
Editing: Eva Meran
Management of production and licensing: Marie Gruber, Enid Wolf
Communication and social media: Ildiko Füredi-Kolarik, Elke Weilharter, Irene Pitnauer-Wolfram
Web design: treat.agency
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