At the beginning of Schmiede in Hallein, Austria, Albert (aka L-bird) came across an empty shoebox in the storage space of the salt factory. The box bore the name All Birds and the words ‘We are all birds’. From this arose the idea to invite everyone in the building to imagine themselves as a bird and render it in a drawing—together forming a flock that filled the exhibition. Visitors, too, were offered the chance to let their own bird take wing and join the flight.

By Albert van Veenendaal

Schmiede Hallein (AU), 2024