Self-Understanding

Social Impact deals primarily with areas of social tensions and the socio-political conflicts behind them. Social Impact's work is always in reaction to current social and political developments and is therefore to be viewed in this context. The most recent projects address the spatial, social and economic frames of action of marginal groups. They are characterized by a sense of responsibility toward the community in and with which the interaction takes place.

The focal points of our work can be divided into three areas:

Expositorial projects: A social topic is publicized, so that making it visible can also lead to changes.

Supportive projects: Existing social projects are supported either through actions to reach a broader public or through financial, material or ideal means.

Participative projects: These seek to bring about changes and positive effects through collaboration and participation among the participants or / and their surroundings.

Methods

The working methods are derived from art and action research, whereby the first step usually consists of a comprehensive investigation of the sociological circumstances. Based on this analysis, the next working steps are conceived and the method is selected, which promises the best sustainability for the respective target group. There are principally no limitations to the artistic operationalization (interventions, photo documentations, archiving, cartography, video, multimedia, audio installations, ... etc.). The art project "On the Situation of Illegal Alien Cleaning Women", for instance, included the publication and distribution of a multilingual "survival guide" (access to medical help, care facilities, protection from trafficking, ...); the project "Dead_House_Walking" was based on the preparation of remembrance-photos for the residents and setting up a communication exchange, to enable the residents to better represent their interests to the owners of the building. The aspect of mediation/communication has great importance. In keeping with the concept of the "expansive audience", Social Impact always tries to communicate with the three different audience groups that are to be distinguished: the participants, the casual audience - which comes into contact with the art work or art process more or less by chance - and the art scene itself. Regardless of whether the project is conceived to be temporary or permanent, the process of constituting the process is just as important as its visual and physical manifestation. In keeping with the principle of sustainability, designing and arranging social processes has priority over the production of aesthetic products. Artistic works such as installations, videos, photographs, etc. are a desired "side effect" of the projects. However, they are always rooted in a benefit immanent to the project. Social Impact sees itself as a representative of "new genre public art" and believes in art's co-responsibility for developments in society. .

Origins of Social Impact

The art project was founded in 1997 by Hans Heis and Harald Schmutzhard. Hans Heis withdrew from the project in spring 2000 for personal reasons. Since then, Harald Schmutzhard has been primarily responsible for continuing Social Impact in collaboration with alternating partners. Projects are usually carried out in changing interdisciplinary teams including experts from the fields of sociology, community work, architecture, network planning, process development, and others. Teaching contract at the Art University Linz (2000/2001)