In Drinking Sculpture, furnitures are disoriented, mounted upside down or stuck on giant bronze gherkins. Alcohol bottles and glasses are at disposal with instructions for the viewer to become part of the work. Erwin Wurm considers these performative works as completed once the visitor gets drunk. Some work titles refer directly to artists drinkers (Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon, Martin Kippenberger…). Wurm deconstructs here the romantic view of self-destruction as a requirement for artistic creation.

 

 

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2022
metal, bronze, paint, table of Arne Jacobsen, bottled, glasses
165 x 130 x 110 cm
Installation view: Trap of the Truth, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, UK, 2023–2024
Photo Jonty Wilde

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019


Exhibition view: The Serious Life of a Ridiculous Man, König Galerie, Berlin, Germany, 2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Metal, bronze, patina, table, alcohol bottle, glasses
157 x 137 x 115 cm

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
198 x 120 x 120 cm
metal, bronze, patina, table, alcohol bottle, glass

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Armchair, metal, alcohol bottle, glasses
140 x 83 x 160 cm

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Metal, bronze, patina, table, alcohol bottle, glass
182 x 140 x 60 cm

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Metal, table, alcohol bottle, glasses
137 x 64 x 64 cm

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Metal, table, alcohol bottle, glasses
137 x 64 x 64 cm

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Styrofoam, epoxy, paint, closet, alcohol bottle, glass
386 x 153 x 132 cm

Bars 2018–2019

Bars 2018–2019

Bar

2019
Styrofoam, epoxy, paint, closet, alcohol bottle, glass
258 x 187 x 113 cm
Bar
2022
metal, bronze, paint, table of Arne Jacobsen, bottled, glasses
165 x 130 x 110 cm
Installation view: Trap of the Truth, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, UK, 2023–2024
Photo Jonty Wilde

Exhibition view: The Serious Life of a Ridiculous Man, König Galerie, Berlin, Germany, 2019
Bar
2019
Metal, bronze, patina, table, alcohol bottle, glasses
157 x 137 x 115 cm
Bar
2019
198 x 120 x 120 cm
metal, bronze, patina, table, alcohol bottle, glass
Bar
2019
Armchair, metal, alcohol bottle, glasses
140 x 83 x 160 cm
Bar
2019
Metal, bronze, patina, table, alcohol bottle, glass
182 x 140 x 60 cm
Bar
2019
Metal, table, alcohol bottle, glasses
137 x 64 x 64 cm
Bar
2019
Metal, table, alcohol bottle, glasses
137 x 64 x 64 cm
Bar
2019
Styrofoam, epoxy, paint, closet, alcohol bottle, glass
386 x 153 x 132 cm
Bar
2019
Styrofoam, epoxy, paint, closet, alcohol bottle, glass
258 x 187 x 113 cm

Light Sculptures 2017

Light Sculptures 2017

Light Sculptures 2017

Lichtung

2017
Iron, acrylic resin, styrofoam, plastic bucket, electric system
192 x 140 x 50 cm
Photo Ben Westoby
Courtesy Thadaeus Ropac gallery

Light Sculptures 2017

Light Sculptures 2017

Lichtung

2017
Iron, acrylic resin, styrofoam, plastic bucket, electric system
192 x 140 x 50 cm
Photo Ben Westoby
Courtesy Thadaeus Ropac gallery

Light Sculptures 2017

Light Sculptures 2017

Lichtung

2017
Iron, acrylic resin, styrofoam, plastic bucket, electric system
192 x 140 x 50 cm
Photo Ben Westoby
Courtesy Thadaeus Ropac gallery
Lichtung
2017
Iron, acrylic resin, styrofoam, plastic bucket, electric system
192 x 140 x 50 cm
Photo Ben Westoby
Courtesy Thadaeus Ropac gallery
Lichtung
2017
Iron, acrylic resin, styrofoam, plastic bucket, electric system
192 x 140 x 50 cm
Photo Ben Westoby
Courtesy Thadaeus Ropac gallery
Lichtung
2017
Iron, acrylic resin, styrofoam, plastic bucket, electric system
192 x 140 x 50 cm
Photo Ben Westoby
Courtesy Thadaeus Ropac gallery

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet

2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
152 x 74 x 46 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet

2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
152 x 74 x 46 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet 2011

Pollock Cabinet

2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
152 x 74 x 46 cm
Detail
Photo Steve Kehayia
Pollock Cabinet
2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
152 x 74 x 46 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA
Pollock Cabinet
2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
152 x 74 x 46 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA
Pollock Cabinet
2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
152 x 74 x 46 cm
Detail
Photo Steve Kehayia

Untitled 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled

2011
Wood, metal, glass, fabric
214 x 130 x 190 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheimmuseum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled

2011
Wood, metal, glass, fabric
214 x 130 x 190 cm
Exhibition view: 
Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Untitled
2011
Wood, metal, glass, fabric
214 x 130 x 190 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheimmuseum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Untitled
2011
Wood, metal, glass, fabric
214 x 130 x 190 cm
Exhibition view: 
Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled

2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
80 x 100 x 136 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Untitled 2011

Untitled 2011

Untitled

2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
80 x 100 x 136 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Untitled
2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
80 x 100 x 136 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Untitled
2011
Wood, metal, tumbler, bottle
80 x 100 x 136 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Untitled (Credenza 1) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 1) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 1) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 1)

2011
Wood, metal, glass
214 x 193.5 x 43 cm
Exhibition view:; Schöner Wohnen, MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art), Vienna, Austria, 2011

Untitled (Credenza 1)
2011
Wood, metal, glass
214 x 193.5 x 43 cm
Exhibition view:; Schöner Wohnen, MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art), Vienna, Austria, 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2)

2011
Wood, metal, paint
45 x 130 x 150 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2)

2011
Wood, metal, paint
45 x 130 x 150 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2) 2011

Untitled (Credenza 2)

2011
Wood, metal, paint
45 x 130 x 150 cm
Detail
Photo OTTOMURA
Untitled (Credenza 2)
2011
Wood, metal, paint
45 x 130 x 150 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Untitled (Credenza 2)
2011
Wood, metal, paint
45 x 130 x 150 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Untitled (Credenza 2)
2011
Wood, metal, paint
45 x 130 x 150 cm
Detail
Photo OTTOMURA

Double Bench for Drinkers 2011

Double Bench for Drinkers 2011

Double Bench for Drinkers 2011

Double Bench for Drinkers

2011
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
79 x 181 x 82 cm
Exhibition view: Schöner Wohnen, MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art), Vienna, Austria, 2011


Double Bench for Drinkers
2011
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
79 x 181 x 82 cm
Exhibition view: Schöner Wohnen, MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art), Vienna, Austria, 2011


Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser

2011
Wood, metal, paint
130 x 140 x 40 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA

Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser

2011
Wood, metal, paint
130 x 140 x 40 cm
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA

Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser 2011

Willem de Kooning Dresser

2011
Wood, metal, paint
130 x 140 x 40 cm
Detail
Photo Steve Kehayia
Willem de Kooning Dresser
2011
Wood, metal, paint
130 x 140 x 40 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA

Willem de Kooning Dresser
2011
Wood, metal, paint
130 x 140 x 40 cm
Exhibition view: Wear me out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA
Willem de Kooning Dresser
2011
Wood, metal, paint
130 x 140 x 40 cm
Detail
Photo Steve Kehayia

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung 2011

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung 2011

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung 2011

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung

2011
Wood, metal, paint
52 x 125 x 120 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung 2011

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung 2011

Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung

2011
Wood, metal, paint
52 x 125 x 120 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung
2011
Wood, metal, paint
52 x 125 x 120 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Reinigungsmöbel zur Läuterung
2011
Wood, metal, paint
52 x 125 x 120 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Closet for Wols 2011

Closet for Wols 2011

Closet for Wols 2011

Closet for Wols

Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Closet for Wols 2011

Closet for Wols 2011

Closet for Wols

2011
Wood, metal, lacquer
117 x 181 x 52 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Closet for Wols
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Closet for Wols
2011
Wood, metal, lacquer
117 x 181 x 52 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Punschkrapfel 2011

Punschkrapfel 2011

Punschkrapfel 2011

Punschkrapfel

2011
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
84 x 149 x 108 cm
Exhibition view: Schöner Wohnen, MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art), Vienna, Austria, 2011

Punschkrapfel 2011

Punschkrapfel 2011

Punschkrapfel

2011
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
84 x 149 x 108 cm
Detail
Punschkrapfel
2011
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
84 x 149 x 108 cm
Exhibition view: Schöner Wohnen, MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art), Vienna, Austria, 2011

Punschkrapfel
2011
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
84 x 149 x 108 cm
Detail

Drinkers Wardrobe 2010

Drinkers Wardrobe 2010

Drinkers Wardrobe 2010

Drinkers Wardrobe

2010
wood, metal, paint
90 x 170 x 52 cm
Exhibition view: Wear Me Out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA

Drinkers Wardrobe 2010

Drinkers Wardrobe 2010

Drinkers Wardrobe

wood, metal, paint
90 x 170 x 52 cm
2010
Detail
Courtesy Dallas Contemporary
Drinkers Wardrobe
2010
wood, metal, paint
90 x 170 x 52 cm
Exhibition view: Wear Me Out, Middleheim museum, Antwerp, Belgium, 2011
Photo OTTOMURA
Drinkers Wardrobe
wood, metal, paint
90 x 170 x 52 cm
2010
Detail
Courtesy Dallas Contemporary

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet

2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet

2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard

2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard

2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet

2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
75 x 90 x 54 cm
Exhibition view: Art and Press, Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2012
Courtesy Martin Gropius Bau

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet 2010

Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet

2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
75 x 90 x 54 cm
Exhibition view: Art and Press, Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2012
Courtesy Martin Gropius Bau
Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet
2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Martin Kippenberger Cupboard & Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet
2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Martin Kippenberger Cupboard
2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Martin Kippenberger Cupboard
2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
74 x 100 x 42 cm
Performed by the public
Exhibition view: Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany, 2017
Photo Dejan Saric
Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet
2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
75 x 90 x 54 cm
Exhibition view: Art and Press, Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2012
Courtesy Martin Gropius Bau

Francis Bacon Hanging Cabinet
2010
Wood, metal, paint, bottles
75 x 90 x 54 cm
Exhibition view: Art and Press, Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2012
Courtesy Martin Gropius Bau

Furnitures for Drinkers 2010

Furnitures for Drinkers 2010

Furnitures for Drinkers 2010

Furnitures for Drinkers

2010
Wood, metal
75 x 120 x 183 cm each
Exhibition view: Private Wurm, Kunst der Gegenwart – Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, 2010
Photo Mischa Nawrata

Furnitures for Drinkers 2010

Furnitures for Drinkers 2010

Furnitures for Drinkers

2010
Wood, metal
75 x 120 x 183 cm
Exhibition view: Private Wurm, Kunst der Gegenwart – Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, 2010
Photo Mischa Nawrata
Furnitures for Drinkers
2010
Wood, metal
75 x 120 x 183 cm each
Exhibition view: Private Wurm, Kunst der Gegenwart – Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, 2010
Photo Mischa Nawrata

Furnitures for Drinkers
2010
Wood, metal
75 x 120 x 183 cm
Exhibition view: Private Wurm, Kunst der Gegenwart – Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, 2010
Photo Mischa Nawrata

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets

2010
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
76 x 80 x 50 cm
77 x 65 x 63 cm
Exhibition view: Private Wurm, Kunst der Gegenwart – Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, 2010
Photo Mischa Nawrata

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets

2010
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
76 x 80 x 50 cm
77 x 65 x 63 cm
Exhibition view: Beauty Business, Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, USA, 2011
Photo Steve Kehayia

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets 2010

Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets

2010
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
77 x 65 x 63 cm
Photo Steve Kehayia
Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets
2010
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
76 x 80 x 50 cm
77 x 65 x 63 cm
Exhibition view: Private Wurm, Kunst der Gegenwart – Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, 2010
Photo Mischa Nawrata
Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets
2010
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
76 x 80 x 50 cm
77 x 65 x 63 cm
Exhibition view: Beauty Business, Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, USA, 2011
Photo Steve Kehayia
Edward Munch Kitchen Cabinets
2010
Wood, metal, lacquer, tumbler, bottle
77 x 65 x 63 cm
Photo Steve Kehayia