Franz West is one of the most outstanding Austrian artists on the international scene. He began creating his so-called "Pass- Stücke" ("Adaptives") in the mid-seventies. These objects formed out of plaster and papier-mâché are designed to be placed on the human body and to interact with the user. Since that time, West has devoted much of his energy to objects in which use is the most important criterion for reception. West's furniture sculptures and "seating equipment," including chairs and recliners, the first of which appeared in the early eighties, are a logical extension of the concept of the "Adaptives." Intent upon creating a setting for a new kind of experience, he later began installing his metal furniture objects in public places. Franz West. Gnadenlos is devoted exclusively to works of the past years, most of which have had little public exposure. Aside from his most recent works, the presentation focuses in particular on an expansive installation conceived and developed by West especially for this exhibition at the MAK in Vienna, the largest of his completed works to date. The book also includes a documentation of the artist's new installations in public space. Exhibtion Schedule: MAK, Vienna November 21, 2001 - February 24, 2002