Catalog presentation & artist talk

Thomas Feuerstein
METABOLICA

Tue 21.10.2025, 18h | MQ Freiraum, free admission

Thomas Feuerstein's book METABOLICA accompanies his current exhibition at MQ Freiraum, but goes far beyond the expectations of a catalog. For many years, Feuerstein has been developing a concept of art that expands symbolic representations through real processes in political, bioeconomic, and aesthetic terms. Metabolism, the central concept of all life, refers to material transformations that METABOLICA exploits to obtain a practical, biodegradable plastic for sculptural works from algae and bacteria.

The works in the METABOLICA cycle are accompanied in the book by in-depth texts and a science fiction narrative by the artist in the form of a graphic novel.
 

THOMAS FEUERSTEIN
METABOLICA
Published by Bettina Leidl / Verena Kaspar-Eisert
German/English, 368 pages, 21.5 × 28 cm, numerous color illustrations, softcover
Texts by Christian Ebner, Thomas Feuerstein, Jens Hauser, Verena Kaspar-Eisert & Bettina Leidl and conversations by Anett Holzheid and Hans-Jörg Rheinberger with the artist
Design: Tommi Bergmann
Publication date: 10/2025
ISBN 978-3-903447-34-9
€ 38,00 [A]
 

EXHIBITION

The book accompanies the exhibition METABOLICA – Thomas Feuerstein, September 18, 2025 – February 1, 2026, MQ Freiraum, MuseumsQuartier Vienna.
The cycle of works, which Feuerstein has been working on since 2017, will be presented in its entirety for the first time at MQ Freiraum. Feuerstein transforms the space into a molecular factory: algae and their fatty acids are used to create new materials that are shaped into works of art and returned to the cycle. The exhibition combines art and science and opens up new perspectives on resources, the circular economy, and visions for the future of society.
 

PUBLISHER
SCHLEBRÜGGE.EDITOR
MQ Wien
Museumsplatz 1
1070 Wien
Austria
www.schlebruegge.com