Multimedia Collections

Overview

Deep within the vibrant cultural landscape of Graz, Austria, lies a treasure trove dedicated to the audiovisual memory of Styria: the Multimedia Collections, part of the expansive Universalmuseum Joanneum. This unique institution, known in German as the 'Multimediale Sammlungen', stands as one of Austria's most significant audiovisual archives, safeguarding over 3.3 million objects that tell the story of the region and its people from the dawn of photographic and moving images into the digital age. Visitors exploring the History Museum in the Joanneum Quarter will discover these compelling collections, which offer a dynamic and sensory journey through Styrian history, culture, and societal evolution.

Housed alongside the Cultural History Collection, the Multimedia Collections present a fascinating blend of historical and contemporary perspectives, using photographs, films, and audio recordings to bring the past to life. Far from being a static archive, it is a living entity that actively documents and interprets the ever-changing narrative of Styria, preserving both official records and private glimpses into everyday life. Its establishment marked a pioneering moment in Austrian museum history, forging new paths in collecting and exhibiting diverse media formats.

History & Cultural Background

The genesis of the Multimedia Collections dates back to 1958, when the Styrian government initiated plans for a 'Central Archives for Image and Sound Recordings'. This ambitious project aimed to systematically gather and preserve 'all documents in the fields of photography, film and sound reproduction which capture the Province of Styria in regard to its nature, culture, economy and science'. Following this preparatory work, the 'Styrian Department of Audiovisual Documentation' was formally established in 1960, initially located at Bürgergasse 2 in Graz. This marked a significant milestone, as it was the very first institute in Austria dedicated to linking different media and actively producing and collecting audiovisual material.

By 1962, the collection had already burgeoned to over 80,000 objects, culminating in its first public exhibition. The institution evolved further, being renamed the 'Image and Sound Archives' in 1971 and moving to Palais Attems. Throughout the 1970s, it played a pivotal role in pioneering Styrian photography history through its dedicated collecting, research, and exhibition activities. A notable expansion occurred in 2004 with the integration of the 'Office of Memories', a project stemming from the 2003 'Mountain of Memories' initiative, aimed at documenting and presenting Styria's collective memory. The current name, 'Multimedia Collections', adopted in 2009, reflects the diverse and heterogeneous nature of its holdings and solidified its identity as a museum rather than merely an archive. Its relocation to the modern Joanneum Quarter in 2011, and subsequent integration into the History Museum in 2016, underscore its central role within the Universalmuseum Joanneum.

What Makes It Special

What truly sets the Multimedia Collections apart is its pioneering spirit and unparalleled scope. As the first institution in Austria to embrace and integrate various media forms – photography, film, and sound – from its inception, it has forged a unique path in cultural documentation. With an inventory exceeding 3.3 million items, it is not merely one of the largest, but critically, one of the most significant audiovisual collections nationwide. This vast assemblage serves as Styria's comprehensive 'audiovisual memory', chronicling the region's journey through time and its people's experiences as society transitioned into the digital era.

The Collections are housed in state-of-the-art facilities within the Joanneum Quarter, including new air-conditioned depositories with precise temperature zones and a dedicated media restoration workshop. This ensures the meticulous preservation and long-term accessibility of fragile historical media, from delicate negatives to early sound recordings. Furthermore, its commitment to contemporary relevance means it continuously builds upon this audiovisual history, offering fresh perspectives on past events through new acquisitions and interpretive approaches. It offers a multi-layered understanding of Styria, presenting both the officially documented narratives and the more personal, often unseen, accounts captured in private photographs and amateur films.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

One fascinating aspect of the Multimedia Collections is its foundational vision. When first conceived in 1958, the aim was for the archive to be 'pitched at the level of the educated layman [and] accessible to the general public'. This early emphasis on public engagement, rather than purely academic use, speaks to a progressive understanding of cultural institutions, long before such concepts became widespread. The establishment was also seen as a modern continuation of the documentation efforts initiated by Archduke Johann of Austria, the founder of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, who had commissioned written and statistical surveys and visual records by his 'chamber painters'. The Multimedia Collections simply updated this tradition with the contemporary media of its time.

Imagine the immense challenge faced by the institution in the late 1980s, when the collection had grown to include hundreds of thousands of negatives, slides, film prints, and various audio and video cassettes. Simply storing and preserving this enormous, diverse range of objects posed 'a virtually insoluble problem' for a time, highlighting the dedication required to safeguard such a unique heritage. The very name 'Multimedia Collections' uses the plural form quite intentionally, underscoring the rich heterogeneity of media types it encompasses, from still images to moving pictures and recorded sounds, each offering a distinct window into Styrian life.

Visitor Perspective

For the curious traveler, the Multimedia Collections offer a uniquely immersive and insightful experience within the Universalmuseum Joanneum. Located primarily within the History Museum at Sackstraße 16 in Graz, its exhibits are seamlessly integrated with the broader narrative of Styrian history, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors can expect to encounter a dynamic presentation where historical photographs, films, and audio recordings are not just artifacts but vibrant storytelling tools, animating the cultural and societal changes of the region.

The History Museum itself features compelling permanent exhibitions, such as '100 x Styria', designed to provide an accessible overview of the region's past, and a critical look at 'Styria and National Socialism', both of which leverage the power of multimedia to convey complex narratives. A particularly engaging feature is the show depot, where the sheer volume and diversity of the collection are displayed as a 'dense collage of thousands of objects' across 450 square meters. This allows visitors a rare glimpse behind the scenes, offering a sense of the vastness and richness of Styria's audiovisual heritage. Through these thoughtfully curated displays, the Multimedia Collections not only inform but also evoke enthusiasm for the multifaceted history of Styria, inviting a deeper connection with the region's past.