Introduction
Julius von Bismarck’s first major institutional solo exhibition in Austria, Normale Katastrope (Normality Bias at KunstHausWien, confronts human hubris, responsibility, and agency in the face of ecological collapse. Engaging with the elemental forces of fire and water—whether wildfires, lightning strikes, or storm waves—the works reflect on a world increasingly reshaped by human activity. The title refers to society’s adaptation to ongoing crises, where unprecedented ecological and social upheavals become the “new normal.” Alongside cross‑media works from the past fifteen years, the show debuts pieces created after the 2025 Los Angeles fires, including a site‑specific courtyard installation exploring the dialogue between nature and the built environment.
Blending scientific curiosity with artistic vision, von Bismarck’s practice emerges from direct, physical encounters with nature’s power. From capturing lightning in Talking to Thunder to battling the sea in Punishment #6, his works challenge the notion that nature can be controlled. Projects such as The Day the Ocean Turned Black, Fire with Fire, and Normale Katastrophe explore fire’s dual role as destroyer and regenerator, while dismantling romanticized or adversarial views of nature. Rather than offering explanations, von Bismarck creates immersive visual experiences that reveal the cultural shaping of our perceptions and open new perspectives on humanity’s relationship with the environment.