Credits
Written by
Published
Source(s)
News
© alfpoier.at
Vienna show
Austria: Self-appointed ambassador Alf Poier presents Satsang
The Austrian artist, who likes to describe himself as an "extreme entertainer" and a "philosopher" has recently bought an old farmhouse on the outskirts of Vienna and turned it into an "Embassy for Consciousness, Crap (originally sheissdreck), and Art". In the rooms of this "embassy" one can see exhibited some requisites and memorabilia from older cabaret shows of the artist together with some nonsense objects such as "the electric chair" or a "Madonna with wide open legs". The whole atmosphere of his "embassy" is a mixture of kitsch, spiritualism and erotiticism. Alf Poier has stated that the purpose of all this is to "create a space, which disproves all possible countable structures, a place, whose laws remain unknown even to himself".
As a self-appointed "ambassador of Consciousness, Crap and Art" is taking the spirit of his embassy and his spiritual insight in the Satsang" (a term taken from the Indian philosophy meaning the effort to reach the highest possible level of perceptiveness through the common and shared looking and hearing) onto the stage with his latest cabaret show with the same title. It is remarkable that his shows seem to have a big appeal to the Austrian audience. His first appearances in the club Orpheum in Vienna on October 1 and 3 are already sold out. For more information on the show, click here.
Alf Poier has been working as a stand up comedian and an artist since 1995. From 1998 until today he has been honored with various Austrian and German show awards. Nonetheless, it was after his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, that he became widely popular in Austria. His song Weil der Mensch zählt" brought to Austria the 6th place (the best placement for this country since 1989), and he missed a second participation in the contest for only 4 votes in the 2005 Austrian national final selection with the controversial song Old Europe is dying. Since then he has sold many thousands cds and has released some of his popular cabaret shows.
An article by Nikolas Psomas
Related polls
- 2008 esctoday.com award nominations: Best act not to qualify from the semi finals
- 2008 esctoday.com award nominations: Most traditional Europop song
- First quarter final in Bulgaria: your favourite?
- Jury vote, do you agree?
- Jury vote only in the final or in the semis as well?
- What mixture of televote and jury vote do you think is the best?
Go directly to the reactions
Recent news about Austria
Austria : Global Kryner to release Live in Luxembourg 9
Austria: Self-appointed ambassador Alf Poier presents Satsang 19
Austria: No return to Eurovision in 2009 78
Austria & Monaco back in 2009? 67
EDC: Austria selected their dancers 7
Reactions
When reacting to a news item, please stick to the topic. Inappropriate messages (swearing, racism, hate, etc.), messages in other languages than English and spam (which includes URL advertising) will be deleted and you risk your account being removed. Reacting on newsitems is only possible when logged in as a member. Still don't have member account?
Click here to react Click here to become a member (free!)
2003 was the best Eurovision in years, and still. And probably one of the best entries of Austria; at least everybody laugh after the pressure countries such as Belgium, Turkey and Russia had that year.
A singing (heavy breathing) gymnast with a little stripshow....
I still can't believe that 'song' (act or whatever Alf called that thing) finished 6th! I suppose that proves that you never know what Europe may like. Personally I hated it as I hate all joke entries and if I was a member of the EBU I would try to make it a rule that joke entries aren't allowed in Eurovision.
For those who say Eurovision isn't a serious competition...of course it's not when they allow such entries...a little Alf, a little Verka, a little Dustin, a few pirates, a Rodolfo....yeah, ofcourse it's not serious..but whose fault is it?
Exactly! I rest my case.
What serious musical competition did he participate in?
His entry in Riga was abysmal and deserved 0 points at all. Such ridiculous acts have no place in a serious musical competition and it probably did Austria no good at all.
"I think it's about Anne Robinson ... put Anne in the commentator seat ... I can hear her saying, Armenia, you are the weakest link,..."
LOL marc. Good idea though.
I agree with Jonny 
hmmm, I usually enjoy novelty entries, but his just wasn't that funny really 
Sorry Austria Its a shame that when Austria have a great song in 2007 they come second last in the semi, and in 2003 when they send a disaster, they come top 10! 
dear marc x
I don't know who the subject was in Waterloo and Robinson's song, but I liked the idea of Anne in the commentaryseat a lot..
And like you, I liked Alf's song a lot, although it wasn't Eurovisionlike !
Let's keep in touch !
I want Austria back too!
But a very good and funny one...
Alf Poier is a clown.
Alf is hilarious. I`d love to see his live performance.
Jan or somebody else,
The song from Waterloo & Robinson, is that written about someone particular ? Because I like that song and everytime I hear it, I think it's about Anne Robinson. My favorite tv presenter.... Maybe that would be a good idea, put Anne in the commentator seat, she will give her "Political correct" opinion about the songs,... I can hear her saying, Armenia, you are the weakest link,....
Surely Alfs' contribution to ESC has been funny (I liked it a lot) but this is a "song"contest and I am still hoping that nations are trying to enter their most beautiful "song" and not "act".
Please remember the "old" days... everyone still likes to hear Brotherhoods' kisses, Vicky's Apres toi, etc. etc.
Serbia, Croatia, Portugal delivered "correct" songs last year...Beautiful songs meant for Eurovision.
The Russian victory was unbelievable. Just listen to the (totally out of key) background vocals.... (also on the studio version)
Dima's song from 2006 was great and the act (well...... I although don't want acts at a "song"contest) was hugely impressive with the ballerina coming out of the piano.
Got to stick to this topic and hope Austria will come back to the contest. Austria delighted us with wonderful artists like Udo Jürgens, Milestones, Waterloo & Robinson and (yes) Global Kryner ! Please come back...
After all... he wasn't so bad...!!!
Ciaran,
The change in ESC voting is just too small for Austria to fall for. I'd like to see them back as well, but I also understand why they won't in 2009 with only this minor change the EBU has offered.
I loved Alf Poier's entry very much. That year's contest is one of my favorites ever....
I want Austria back :'(
I really liked there entries back in the 1990's and 2000's
Such a shame that this new change in the rules with the Juries, won't change ORF mind 
React yourself
This news article is older than one week. Reacting to articles is only possible in the first week after publication.
