Stained-glass Windows & High-tech Medicine

Ars Electronica Center
Stained-glass Windows & High-tech Medicine

Press Release: Stained-glass Windows & High-tech Medicine

Stained-glass Windows & High-tech Medicine

(Linz, November 21, 2016) The next Deep Space LIVE on November 24, 2016 highlights the stained-glass windows of Linz’s Mariendom (St. Mary’s Cathedral)—their theological significance as well as their importance in the history of art, the State of Upper Austria and the Catholic Church. Art historian Lothar Schultes, theologian Michael Zugmann and cathedral prelate Maximilian Strasser will elaborate on some of the 70 stained-glass windows in Mariendom. They’ll show and interpret Biblical scenes as well as historical events, people and places in Upper Austria. The program kicks off at 6:30 PM with a presentation by Dr. Josef Hochreiter of the Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern (Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy), and Hans Popper, former director of Upper Austria’s regional health insurance provider, on the ethical and financial challenges posed by new technical developments in the field of medicine.

The Windows of Linz’s Mariendom

The 70 stained-glass windows adorning Linz’s Mariendom were created in three phases between 1867 and 1924. In addition to Biblical scenes, the motifs depict numerous Upper Austrian locations, personalities and historical events—for instance, the transfer of the imperial court to Linz under Emperor Friedrich III and the wedding of Ferndiand I to Anna of Hungary. Other scenes portray the laying of the building’s cornerstone on May 1, 1862, prominently featuring numerous Linz VIPs and major donors who supported the construction project. “Deep Space LIVE: The Stained-Glass Windows of Mariendom” will be reprised at the Ars Electronica Center on Saturday, November 27th and Sunday, December 4th.

Deep Space LIVE

The Ars Electronica Center hosts a Deep Space LIVE event every Thursday (except holidays) at 7 PM. Each presentation features ultra-high-definition imagery in 16×9-meter format and is accompanied by expert commentary, entertaining stand-up repartee, and musical improvisation. Whether great works from the history of art, space travel, journeys of discovery in the nanoworld, or a live concert is what you’ve come to behold, Deep Space LIVE stands for enlightening entertainment amidst breathtaking worlds of imagery. Holders of a valid Museum ticket are admitted free of charge.

Fascinating Medical Technology

Dr. Josef Hochreiter, head of the Orthopedics Department at Linz’s Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern (Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy), will provide insights into current orthopedic practices and explain the treatment options that will soon be emerging thanks to technological progress in medicine. Then, Dr. Hans Popper, former director of Upper Austria’s regional health insurance provider, will consider the question of how medical progress could impact the affordability of health insurance and who in the future ought to decide which patients will receive extremely costly treatments—and which won’t. Immediately following this talk, Deep Space will screen a 3-D visualization of human anatomy—from our largest organ, the skin, down to the tiniest nerve cells.

Photo:
Fenster des Linzer Mariendoms / credit: Magdalena Sick-Leitner / Printversion / Album

Photo:
Fenster des Linzer Mariendoms / credit: Magdalena Sick-Leitner/ Printversion / Album

Photo:
Fenster des Linzer Mariendoms / credit: Peda / Printversion / Album