Jörg Ehtreiber (Intendant FRida & freD), Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, City Councilor for Sports Kurt Hohensinner and State Councilor for Culture and Sports Christopher Drexler (from left to right) presented “Ready? Go! ”, Photo: Universalmuseum Joanneum / JJ Kucek

"Complete? Come on!" is the motto from now on in the Joanneumsviertel

A new, interactive exhibition in the CoSA - Center of Science Activities and in the visitor center in the Joanneum Quarter is dedicated to the interrelationships between sport, technology and culture. As part of this year's sporting year LET'S GO GRAZ 2021, this was presented today in the presence of Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, State Councilor for Culture and Sports Christopher Drexler, City Councilor for Sports Kurt Hohensinner and Jörg Ehtreiber (Director FRida & freD). The new special exhibition Finished? Come on! The history of sport and technology - originally an exhibition by TECHNOSEUM in Mannheim and adapted by FRida & freD - the Graz Children's Museum for Styria - is from 27.03. to be seen until November 21.11.2021, XNUMX.

Body cult, record hunting and wellness oasis: an exhibition in the field of tension between sport, culture and technology. Whether stopwatch, target photography or fitness tracker: Sport as we know it is a product of our technological world. It developed in the 19th century, when physical competitions were more standardized, sports equipment was designed in a more sophisticated way in terms of shape and material, and performance was analyzed and measured more precisely. Sport is part of everyday life today - for example when the sneaker has advanced from a sports shoe to a fashion accessory, a comprehensive fan culture with songs and rituals shapes sporting events or the limits of physical self-optimization are hotly debated in doping scandals. This large special exhibition is dedicated to these interrelationships between sport, culture and technology.

Culture and Sports Councilor Christopher Drexler: 

“The sports exhibition finished? Come on! The CoSA brings culture and sport together in a special way. At a time when there are unfortunately still many restrictions in sports, it is all the more gratifying that the sports exhibition not only provides knowledge and information, but also invites visitors to be active in a variety of ways. I am convinced that studying the history of sport and technology will generate enthusiasm and thus encourage sport and exercise in everyday life. I am pleased that together, through the cooperation of the federal government, the state and the city, we have succeeded in making this exhibition possible as part of the comprehensive program of the Graz Sports Year. I cordially invite you to immerse yourself in the fascinating interplay of sport and technology and to experience many exciting interrelationships. "

Sports Councilor Kurt Hohensinner:

“The Graz Sports Year is a hands-on year for everyone. According to the motto “LET'S GO GRAZ”, the people of Graz are set in motion and excited about the positive effects of sport. A special highlight awaits us from now on in the CoSA in the Joanneumsviertel. Curtain up for done? Come on! - an exciting journey through the fascinating history of sport and technology. The exhibition impressively shows the close connection between the two areas, from the technical development of sports equipment to performance and time measurement to radio and sports broadcasts. In line with the motto of the sports year, the show also invites you to get active yourself: You can complete your personal photo finish, slip into the role of a sports commentator or try out the latest trend sports. Just take a look and join in - LET`S GO GRAZ! LET`S GO CoSA! "

Werner Kogler, Vice Chancellor and Minister for Art, Culture, Public Service and Sport:

“Especially in times of great constraints, we become painfully aware that there is more to a fulfilled, joyful life than just covering our basic needs. Social interactions, for example, cultural enjoyment such as visiting an exhibition, but especially sport, both passive and active. Complete? Come on! The history of sport and technology combines all these interests in 190 exhibits, numerous interactive stations - and shows how extensive sport has found its way into our everyday lives. This highlight at the beginning of the Graz Sports Year shows facets of modern sport in an original way, providing, among other things, insights into many areas of performance optimization, measurement technology and marketing. Above all, it makes you want what so many sports enthusiasts impatiently long for: exercise, training, competitions, with whom, where and whenever you want. "

Discover the history of sport and technology in six areas

With around 190 exhibits, the show focuses on such diverse topics as sports equipment and materials, performance measurement and the standardization of competitions, as well as workers' and disabled sports. The first section, “Sport is conquering the world”, takes a look at the roots of modern sport and the history of its global spread. In 18. In the XNUMXth century in England, modern sport developed from older models as a competitive culture characterized by the idea of ​​performance. The sport began to triumph over the world and gradually included athletes from all continents. A world of heroes and myths developed in sport, but they were also used for political purposes. Movement requires a finely tuned interplay of nerves, muscles, bones and joints. Endurance, strength, speed, coordination and flexibility determine the physical performance - this is what the "Sporty Body" area deals with. Biomechanics researches human movement processes. The right amount decides whether doing sport is healthy. Since the 1960s, the distortion of competition caused by drugs has been pursued as "doping" and is increasingly threatening the credibility of sport. The sport exerts a great fascination worldwide. Ever more modern stadiums offer him a stage. It also occupies a large space in the press, radio and television. Sport can be followed anytime and anywhere via modern mass media and it comes “from the stadium to the living room”. Athletes from media-relevant sports become stars and earn millions with advertising contracts. The audience and fans contribute to this development, but there is also criticism from the fan scene. Sports that are less noticed are often denied such sources of income. The fourth chapter is about "Technology in Competition": Without technology, there is no sport! Almost no discipline can do without special equipment or clothing. In many sports, research into and improvement in the shapes, materials, and handling of sports equipment has resulted in huge leaps in performance. In some cases, however, the explosion in performance causes new technologies to be banned, for example to give physical competition priority over technical ones. Competitive sport lives from the comparison of athletic performance - it's about "faster, further, more precisely". Times, heights, distances or points determine whether you win or lose. Accurate measurements and strict rules are also essential for comparing records. Therefore, measurements are being automated more and more in order to exclude humans as a source of error. The last chapter deals with “trend sports and sports trends”, because sportiness is very important today. In addition to the idea of ​​performance, other motives are increasingly coming to the fore. A plethora of sports have developed that focus on health.

Finished? Come on! The history of sport and technology

CoSA - Center of Science Activities, Joanneumsviertel, 8010 Graz

27.03.-21.11.2021

www.cosagraz.at

All information and pictures about the exhibition