ETERNOS RETORNOS

Eternos Retornos is a response to the controversy surrounding the Aztec feather headdress Quetzalapanecoatl or “El Penacho” in Vienna’s Weltmuseum — a unique artifact, kept in Austria since at least 1596. Calls for repatriation have been refuted by citing transportation risks as a barrier to its return to Mexico.

This project debunks that ruse with a specifically engineered transport vessel for safe transport of these antique feathers. Researched and tested by the world’s leading scientists in the field, the container for countering vibration is being constructed on the occasion of the festival and unveiled in front of the museum.

Eternos Retornos culminates in a public procession through Vienna, with a main stop at the square in front of Weltmuseum, finishing at Kulturhaus Brotfabrik, marking a performative journey through layers of memory and protest. It also acknowledges the many voices and prior efforts that have addressed these themes, amplifying their voices live and documenting them in film. An exhibition at Kulturhaus Brotfabrik explores the ecological and political dimensions of related repatriation histories. A film screening gives the stage to filmmakers and performers to discuss their films with the audience over a special dinner in Community Kitchen.

Online, the project launches an app that calculates the carbon footprint of museum shop souvenirs and shows how they could be sourced to support involved communities.

Credits

Project Lead: Khadija von Zinnenburg Carroll

Engineer: Kerstin Kracht

Participating in ...

... Gift-Giving Demonstration: Khadija von Zinnenburg Carroll, Nina Höchtl, Verena Melgarejo Weinandt, Samson Ogiamien

... Screening: Sebastian Arrechedera and Yosu Arangüena, Nina Höchtl, Katharina Luksch, Verena Melgarejo Weinandt, Julian Reinisch, Konstantin Kormann, Viola Zichy, Samson Ogiamien, Khadija von Zinnenburg Carroll

... Dinner: Eleonora Charlotte Crola, Khadija von Zinnenburg Carroll Community Kitchen