Artist Builds Most Narrow House in the World

Narrow House is one of the many ways that Austrian artist Erwin Wurm looks at the world differently and challenges his viewers to do the same. Wurm created this installation based off of his childhood home. Visitors were invited into the living quarters to explore the narrow spaces and slender furniture that filled the house. Everything including the hallways, the bedroom, the living areas, even the toilet, were unusually compressed. Through the installation, Wurm raises questions about space, posing "some deep and disturbing questions about the terror that comes from having our personal space constricted, restricted, or invaded."

Wurm approaches art with a great sense of humor. He says, "You don't always have to be deadly serious. Sarcasm and humor can help you see things in a lighter vein." And so, many of his works involve redefining our expectations of the world around us. He creates interactive art using everyday environments, materials, and people in order to provoke his viewers to first laugh, and to then carefully contemplate what we see.