German artist Franz Josef Baur has unveiled his latest art project, «Liquid Presence», created in collaboration with dancer Rebecca Horner, the Makeover Hamburg team, and photographer Jakob Kotzmuth. Blending art, fashion, and performance, the project explores movement, form, and the ever-changing nature of the human body.

At the heart of the project are unique garments composed of countless individual textile threads. Rather than enclosing the body or defining its shape, they respond to every movement. The threads sway, rise, and separate, dissolving familiar outlines and creating a sense of continuous transformation. As a result, the silhouette becomes fluid and unstable, while the body is no longer perceived as a fixed form but as a living process of perpetual change.

«Liquid Presence» explores the beauty of transformation and the freedom to move beyond established forms. Through the interaction of textiles, movement, and photography, the project suggests that change is an essential part of the human experience.

«The most beautiful things emerge when people have the courage to move and follow their own impulses», says Franz Josef Baur.

According to the artist, the project seeks to portray human beings as constantly evolving and endlessly rediscovering themselves.

«With ‘Liquid Presence’, I wanted to show that we do not always have to remain in a fixed form. At a time when so much around us is changing, we too have the right to transform, to move, and to rediscover ourselves. The threads respond to every movement, making it visible that nothing is ever truly static. Rebecca embodies this idea in a completely natural way – she does not simply wear the work; she brings it to life», the artist explains.

Rebecca Horner plays a central role in «Liquid Presence», her expressive movement becoming an integral part of the project’s artistic vision.

«Working with Franz Josef is a welcome escape from the pace of everyday life and a true gift for the soul», says the dancer.

Photographer Jakob Kotzmuth captures the fleeting transformations that emerge through movement. In his view, «Liquid Presence» presents the body not as a fixed form, but as something continuously reshaped through textiles, colour, and performance.

«Franz Josef Baur’s thread creations become moving sculptures that exist only for a brief moment. The camera captures that instant before the form changes once again and dissolves into movement», says the photographer.

Photo: Jakob Kotzmuth

In the heart of Vienna, on Franziskanerplatz near the Moses Fountain, the Artner restaurant officially opened the new season of its summer terrace. The festive evening brought together numerous figures from Vienna’s social scene, who enjoyed the first warm days of spring, signature cuisine, and an atmosphere of elegance and comfort.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a new art installation by artist Franz Josef Baur — a decorative barrel adorned with dried flowers. The work became a symbol of nostalgia, cherished memories, and the feeling of home. The artist himself admitted that he drew inspiration from his childhood and from flowers he once preserved between the pages of books.

Restaurant owner Markus Artner warmly introduced the artist to the guests, jokingly referring to him as “an inseparable part of the Artner home.” According to Baur, the installation represents “a return to something authentic” and serves as a reminder of the importance of simple emotions and human connection.

Adding to the special atmosphere of the evening was Father Anton Faber, provost of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, who blessed both the art installation and the gathering space itself. The ceremony became a symbolic highlight of the event, dedicated to the themes of unity, home, and community.

Among the guests spotted at the event were Arabella Kiesbauer, Marika Lichter, Andrea Händler, Martina Kaiser, Chiara Pisati, and champion skier Lizz Görgl.

Following the official program, guests continued the evening over glasses of wine from the Artner family winery, enjoying relaxed conversations in the springtime ambiance of one of Vienna’s most romantic locations.

Photo: Katharina Schiffl

The opening of a new exhibition by renowned artist Franz-Josef Baur recently took place in Vienna. At the Pop-up-Galerie S7, the artist presented his new series of works titled «All Eyes On Us», created in collaboration with photographer Hilde Van Maas. The event was attended by several well-known personalities, including Lizz Görgl, Cesár Sampson, Chiara Pizzati, Max Ortner, and Princess Michaela of Liechtenstein.

Guests had the opportunity to explore new portraits, striking images of eyes, and ceramic pieces by the artist. A special highlight of the evening was the performance by State Opera soloist and ballet star Rebecca Horner, who transformed herself into a «living sculpture». Her performance was accompanied by a soundtrack composed by Alexa Fezer.

«It’s a great honour for me to be part of this project,» said Horner. For his part, Baur commented: «The world needs love — a lot of love. In a time dominated by prejudice, filters, and false expectations, I want to convey the idea of empathy.»

Photo: Andreas Tischler/ Vienna Press

Ballet star Rebecca Horner is the central figure of the new art project All Eyes On Us, created by artist Franz Josef Baur in collaboration with photographer Hilde van Mas. The artist’s studio became the birthplace of a series of emotionally rich and profound images combining fragmented depictions of eyes, expressive portraits, and original ceramics.

The central theme of the project is the gaze — as an act of seeing and being seen. Who is watching whom, and what do we feel when we are being watched?

Horner, present in the frame not only physically but emotionally, reveals both vulnerability and strength. Her interaction with the camera, ceramics, space, and her own body creates a new form of intimacy — an artistic dialogue in a world where all eyes are on us.

«Rebecca is simply stunning. From the very first meeting, we felt a deep mutual understanding. Her body holds both power and tenderness — exactly what I wanted to convey. I can’t wait for the world to see these photos,» shared Baur.

The public will be able to see the All Eyes On Us project in June 2025.

Photo: Hilde van Mas