eSeL is an art platform and event database based in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 1998 by artist and curator Lorenz Seidler, it operates the website esel.at, the weekly newsletter eSeL Mehl, mailing lists, and a photo archive documenting Vienna's contemporary art scene. The name eSeL is also Seidler's artistic pseudonym, derived from the phonetic pronunciation of his initials, L.S. The platform is based at the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna.
Overview
eSeL has been described as combining the roles of artist initiative, curatorial project, online medium, and information infrastructure for contemporary art, particularly in new media art and related fields.
The name eSeL means "donkey" in German. In the platform's self-description, the donkey motif is associated with attributes such as stubbornness, grey fur, long ears, and asininity, which are used metaphorically to describe autonomy, ambiguity, access to information, and the questioning of assumptions.
The platform's slogan is "Kunst kommt von Kommunizieren" ("art derives from communication"). Originally an independent online medium for art information, eSeL developed into a regularly updated information service for Vienna's art activities, complemented by curated projects, performances, exhibitions, and archival work.
eSeL covers initiatives across fine arts, performance, dance, public art, film, media art, music, architecture, design, discourse, and civil society projects, highlighting both established positions and emerging artists.
Digital cultural heritage
As part of the Austrian Kulturerbe digital programme in 2023–2024, eSeL's event database was expanded into the archive rewind.eSeL.at, with metadata standards intended for long-term scholarly use. The archive is accessible through Kulturpool, Austria's national aggregator for Europeana.
Website
The website esel.at provides a database and calendar of Vienna art events. Its categories include "eSeL Neugierde" for recommendations, "hAmSteR Events" for scene events, "Maultier Kunst" for fine art, "Uhu Diskurs" for discourse, "Ameisen Urbanismus" for architecture, "Nerz Techleben" for technology, "Flimmer Ratte" for film and video, "Kanari Klangwelten" for sound and music, "Tauben Loge" for performance, "Pudel Design" for design, "Public Access" for participation, "Eselchen Kinderprogramm" for family programming, and "nicht in Wien" for events outside Vienna.
In 2010, the addition of social media functionality, described as "eSeL 2.0", received second prize in the IG Kultur Wien Innovation Award.
Newsletter
The weekly newsletter eSeL Mehl, distributed every Thursday, previews the following seven days of events and includes photo selections by Lorenz Seidler. As of 2019, it reached more than 10,000 subscribers.
eSeL RECEPTION
Since 2011, eSeL RECEPTION at Q21 in the MuseumsQuartier has complemented the online platform as an open office and analogue information point. It offers a library of exhibition catalogues, a moderated flyer collection, and hosts events including the "Kunst & Spielen" series.
Selected projects
Solo exhibitions
2018: love me sensor, #SupersensorKart, Technisches Museum Wien 2017: Die Entsetzliche-Kunst-Tauschbörse, OK Centrum Linz and Dreisechsfünf Vienna 2016: Skandal Normal, OK Centrum Linz 2016: Die Sammlung eSeL, Essl Museum 2015: eSeL's Fotosalon Seidler, Christine König Galerie 2015: MIY Festival, Q21, MuseumsQuartier 2012: MULTImART, Viennafair 2011: METAmART – Kunst & Kapital, Künstlerhaus Wien 2007–2010: ARTmART, Künstlerhaus Wien
Infrastructure projects
2010–2011: GAZEBO – Galerie für öffentliche Räume 2004: netznetz.net – Festival der Netzkulturen 2002–2003: e-basis-wien_MQ 1999–2003: Radio eSeL. Die Sendung mit dem Schaf, Radio Orange 94.0
Other media projects
2006: Ich bin sh – audio remixes of Austrian net culture artists 2005: Update LeitFragen – interactive audio guide with T-Systems Austria 2004: Radio Republic – radio show at SommerZeit Festival Salzburg
Awards
2018: Binsh Award, Artistic Dynamic Association 2010: IG Kultur Wien Innovation Prize, second prize 2009: City of Vienna Departure Call "Focus Kunst"
External links
Official website eSeL at Kulturpool.at eSeL at basis wien art archives
References