1963: trigon

At the start of the 1960s, several cultural initiatives developed in Styria, such as Forum Stadtpark, the Steirische Akademie, etc. In this context and under the state minister for culture Hanns Koren of the ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party), the trigon concept emerged in 1963: an art biennale initially involving Yugoslavia and Italy (“triangle”), and later additional European countries. This exhibition concept was about contemporary art and current (art)political questions that overcame political borders – in particular with Yugoslavia, which had been an enemy image in Styria since its formation. The main figure was Wilfried Skreiner, director of the Graz Neuen Galerie.

The biennale dealt early on with themes such as audiovisual art (1973) or gender issues (1979). Elaborately designed catalogues and personal exhibitions accompanied the individual events.

Due to a softening of the concept, the end of Yugoslavia and increasing financial difficulties, the last trigon biennale took place in 1995. Smoldering discussions about a trigon museum since the mid-1980s eventually led to the creation of the Graz Kunsthaus (2003).