Gallery 422 in Gmunden has become one of Upper Austria's premier bastions for contemporary younger art scene, currently showcasing an intriguing exhibition that bridges the artistic worlds of Graz and Berlin. The gallery presents two distinctive artists - Alfredo Barsuglia from Graz and Philip Grözinger from Berlin - who craft their visions of the future through provocative emptiness and retro interiors that challenge conventional perceptions of reality.

Alfredo Barsuglia, the 2019 Otto Mauer Prize winner, brings his signature cool aesthetic to the exhibition with works painted against white backgrounds that suggest spatial depth. His analytical photorealistic approach transforms mundane objects - peanuts, ice pops, flowers, punch pastries, and lemons - into subjects of profound contemplation. Through his meticulous technique, these everyday items receive what could be described as a "mega-significance boost," though this importance is immediately questioned by the artist's deliberate misnaming of subjects.

The conceptual tension in Barsuglia's work becomes evident through his playful manipulation of titles and meanings. He names a punch pastry "Margerite" and calls blooming geraniums "December," creating a deliberate break between object and name, between signified and signifier. While this approach might seem simple on the surface, it effectively demonstrates how reality can be completely different from our perceptions and assumptions.

Philip Grözinger, representing Berlin's dynamic art scene, takes a more aggressive approach as what might be called a "berserker with the brush." His powerful color explosions continue the reality-manipulation theme established by Barsuglia's work, but with dramatically different energy and technique. Grözinger creates compelling juxtapositions by painting still lifes with radios and flowers for wall display while simultaneously placing actual painted retro interiors throughout the gallery space.

The Berlin artist's post-neo-expressive works tackle urgent contemporary concerns through vivid imagery. His painted fireplace shows explosion traces, while crumpled hotdog objects appear scattered throughout his compositions. These elements combine to address universal anxieties about the future, societal upheavals, and the individual's role within an increasingly complex world.

The current exhibition, titled "What We Always Wanted," runs through November 22 and successfully blends apocalyptic undertones with elements of fairy tales and science fiction. Gallery 422 continues to serve as one of the few independent art institutions dedicated to high-caliber contemporary art, offering visitors who seek art as a mirror of our times a refreshing perspective that connects Austrian and German artistic sensibilities. The collaboration between Barsuglia and Grözinger creates a surreal world that questions reality while simultaneously celebrating the transformative power of artistic interpretation.