Querverbindungen
Arts and culture association, founded in 2021, that is open to all rope styles, including Western, shibari and fusion. It runs Monday jams with a beginners’ corner and regular munches, and brings in guest teachers for weekend workshops.
Querverbindungen is an art and culture association (Kunst- und Kulturverein) in Vienna. It presents itself as undogmatic, playful, arty and queer, and puts Western and fusion rope bondage alongside shibari. Its homepage argues that European and American rope traditions are underrated and points to figures such as Bettie Page, Irving Klaw, Lew Rubens, Chanta Rose and Lee Harrington as influences. The group especially likes playful “rope fights,” where people wrestle while tying or being tied, and favors colorful cotton rope (see cotton rope). It rejects a master-student model in favor of a community of equals who learn from one another.
The association’s regular formats are a Monday bondage jam (first-time attendees register by email) and a munch every two weeks on Thursdays. At jams a host answers questions and steps in if behavior becomes unsafe, and a beginners’ corner teaches basic safety and technique. The FAQ asks people to negotiate before tying, to choose partners carefully, not to start with suspension, and not to be swayed by status. All styles and other bondage gear are welcome; the group says it is strict only about consent and safety. Entry for non-members was €10 in cash (November 2026), and any surplus goes toward equipment.
Querverbindungen also organizes themed special jams, such as rope speed dating, pajama, black-light and music-themed nights, and invites guest teachers for weekend workshops. Its archive since 2022 includes repeated workshops by Andy Buru, RopuNawa, Sam Jay and Zero-Gi, Haag with Nëya and Pendragon, Misungui, and sessions on nerve-injury prevention and mobility. In November 2026 its two-day RopuNawa suspension workshop was held at CRUCIBLE/Vienna. The association has taken part in Vienna Pride, publishes blog posts on emotional safety and negotiation, and offers optional art projects such as photos, calendars, videos and performances.