They are graceful violent palimpsest, full of vitality but also quiet for contemplation, representing a life of originality, courage and dissidence.

Nitsch’s performances are interpretations of pagan ceremonies during which he becomes the conductor and balances his premeditated Aktions (actions) with spontaneous incidents, culminating in a complete dissolution of restraints—a catharsis—from its participants. Nitsch intensifies complex themes such as creativity, politics, capitalism, innocence, sex, violence, and even questions animal cruelty. With more than 100 performances to date—the most prominent one being "The Orgien Mysterien Theater”— these staged Dionysian performances are replete with religious sacrifices, mock crucifixion, blood, entrails, robes, dance and nude participants

This is not art of blasphemy or malevolence towards the Church. Quite the contrary; Nitsch venerates Christianity whose history is charged with symbols and ceremonies of sacrifice, and whose origins assumed some pagan ritual. Nor is this art that disregards animals; Nitsch does not sacrifice live animals, a fact not understood by his critics. He uses animal cadavers that have been slaughtered professionally for meat. That his performances and work at times engenders such strong protest is understandable – Nitsch’s art is certainly unsettling and both unyielding and revealing. It is fearless and necessary.

About Hermann Nitsch
Hermann Nitsch lives and works at Prinzendorf Castle on the Zaya River, Lower Austria. His works are exhibited in the two Nitsch Museums in Mistelbach and Naples as well as in the Nitsch Foundation in Vienna and can be found in the permanent collections of preeminent international museums and galleries, including: MoMA, Guggenheim, The Metropolitan Museum New York, Tate Gallery London, The Centre Pompidou Paris, Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich and many more.