Over-sized pullover covered High Altar and sofa placed in nave for Lent in Vienna

Erwin Wurm's Lenten Cloth for St. Stephen's Cathedral: Sweater for the High Altar- 2020 Vienna

In addition, several sculptures by the artist in the church interior are intended to provoke reflection

St. Stephen's Cathedral is dressing warmly: The Lenten Cloth was presented in Vienna's landmark on Thursday - this year designed in the shape of an oversized knitted jumper. The 80-square-metre purple piece was designed by Erwin Wurm and covers the high altar. Sculptures by the Austrian artist can also be seen in the church interior or in front of the cathedral.

Called Big Mother. Obscuring the true object of the Lenten season, the Suffering Christ

"Deformations of life"

According to cathedral priest Toni Faber, the jumper installation is intended to remind people of the "priority of warming charity" in the time before Easter. The XXL garment by the altar is also joined by several sculptures by the renowned artist. Scattered around the church are mainly disfigured or deformed sculptures - such as a boxing glove, deformed houses, a body without head, hands and feet or bags on legs.

The artworks are meant to invite people to "reflect on their own limitations", says Faber. "They are a reference to the deformities of our lives." At the same time, the Easter penitential season could also be the prelude to a liberation from these deformations; the dominance of consumption was mentioned here as an example.

There is also Wurm's art in front of, or rather next to, the cathedral: at the Singertor there is a large hot-water bottle on feet, called "Big Mutter". Originally, it was planned to place it in front of the main entrance, but the district council did not want the public space to be used for it, they said. Now the object stands on church-owned land.

Secular pleasures

At the presentation of the Lenten Cloth and the sculpture installation, Wurm said that he has a strong connection to St. Stephen's Cathedral: He regularly goes to the cathedral, but "unfortunately" less to pray than to enjoy the architectural and historical art of the house of God. As for his attitude to religion, he revealed today that he had left the church a long time ago, but had now re-entered.

The Lenten cloth in the cathedral has been designed by local artists since 2013. These included Peter Baldinger, Victoria Coeln or Eva Petric. Faber emphasised today that Wurm had waived the artistic fee for his work - only the material costs had been paid. The Lenten cloth will be taken down on Holy Saturday, 11 April. The sculptures, on the other hand, will be on display until Pentecost and during the "Long Night of the Churches" on 5 June.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. In the Catholic faith, it serves as a time of preparation for Easter. "Fasting, praying, giving alms," Faber enumerated the essential steps of the faithful during this time. 

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