show.Rooms is an interdisciplinary performance format that exists since 2011 and by which taboo subjects or marginalized social issues are performatively implemented in vacant business premises and in public space. In this, it follows an interventionist and participatory approach: The topics are temporarily represented by performance in the public space and the design has participatory elements, such as “discussion”, “contributions” and “co-decision making”. Each intervention involves artists, scientists, but also NGOs and private individuals – all of whom work on or have a personal connection with the chosen topic. Space is thereby utilized in its heterotopian (Foucault) potential: An unused space, a vacancy, is equated with a social void and uses this void through intermediate fullness. The aim of the project is to create rooms for encounter, according to Bourriaud's relational aesthetics.
Since 2011 the format generates much interest and successfully resonates with the audience. In 2012 it was awarded the “outstanding award” for interculturality by the Austrian Ministry for Education, Art and Culture. 2016 it was nominated for “place of respect”. In 2022 a comprehensive publication about show.Rooms was published.
The three variations of the format – global, regional and local – refer to the respective geographical focus and reach of the productions. show.Rooms investigates by means of artistic research and biographical work.