Project Leophard was launched in 1987 by the artist Gerhard Zsambok after he was inspired during a visit to the Wiener Prater (The Wiener Prater is a 100 year old institution, which acts as the ‘green lungs’ of Vienna, similar to Hyde Park in London or Central Park in New York). by the ‘hydrodynamic paradox’ of a ball hovering on a water beam. Zsambok’s imagination was fired by the enigma of an object floating, suspended as proof against gravity through the intermediary of water.

Treating the unique characteristics of water as an artform, Project Leophard explores the inexplicable strangeness and miracles of gravity and water. The results are presented through the use of often humorous and playful art machines that are operated by or show the mysterious phenomena caused by water.

Interests

• Animation
• Installation
• Sculpture

Resume

CHRONOLOGY

Time


Exhibitions


Projects

1991





Vienna Waterworld: Project Leophard develops a waterclock for outside.

1992


Exhibitions with the Wiener Wasserwerke in Austria, Germany and Hungary.




1993


“The magic of water”




1994


Single exhibitions in Vienna.


Leophard develops the “Narrative machine” for a garden of a residence in Pöchlarn/Austria.

1995





Festival of Folkmusic in Waidhofen/Austria:
schoolworkshop: Leophard creates a folkmusic playing water wheel with the kids of the local secondary school.

1996





Creation of the “wave machine” for the major of Vienna.
Creation of a “water movie” for the railways of Austria (ÖBB) in Uttendorf/Austria.

1997


On tour with the “flying machine” in Swiss and Denmark.
Exhibition in the Villa Aurora in Vienna/Predigtstuhl.


Metal and water workshop with kids of a grammar school/Vienna.

1998


Exhibition in The Schlosshotel in Velden/Wörthersee/Austria.


Schoolworkshop: Leophard creates a Rain-sound-machine with 19 kids of a secondary school/Vienna.

1999


Single exhibition for the “Haus Wien Energie”.
Single exhibition for the Company Verbund.


“Aqua Scope”: Leophard creates 6 interactive exhibits for the Community in Vienna placed in a Podrecca building at the Donaukanal. The exhibition lasts 3 years during the summer.
Schoolworkshop in the museum for Arbeitswelt in Steyr/Austria. Leophard creates a miniature ferry boat with the kids.

2000
–2004





“KrimmlerWaterWonderWorld”: Leophard creates 8 exhibits for in- and outdoor

2001


Presentation fo “the pioneers of water”, which is a great water mobile.


Water environement consisting of 3 objects for a local museum in Waidhofen/Ybbs/Austria.
“Aqua Max” for Krimml/Austria: Life sized sculpture which can be animates (based on repulsion of water) by the visitors.

2002


Presentation of 2 objects at the seat of government in St. Pölten/Austria.
“Magic of water”: Single Exhibition in the Almdudler Artclub/Vienna.


“Aqua Max II” for a waterpark in Hidrodoe/Belgium.
“The turning point”: Transofrmation of a bank-logo into a dynamic symbol by using the hydrodynamic symbol.
Leophard creates a fountain made of stone.

2003


„Optionen“ at Galerie Wohlleb, Vienna

Company

Projekt Leophard